[Video] Keanu Reeves Picked Up Cantonese Swear Words From Donnie Yen In John Wick: Chapter 4

In John Wick: Chapter 4, Keanu Reeves not only sparred with Donnie Yen, he also picked up a few colourful phrases from the Hong Kong martial arts icon.

In the latest, er, chapter, of the high-octane action series, Reeves’ titular retired-but-still-deadly assassin — but un-retired over the brutal murder of his puppy, a present from his late wife, and the theft of his 1969 Mustang three movies ago — has figured a way to beat the death decree issued by The High Table, the council of crime lords ruling the underworld.

But freedom doesn’t come cheap.

To cross the finishing line, Wick has to get past Marquis (Bill Skarsgård), the emissary of The High Table, and his army of goons, led by Yen’s Caine, Wick’s old friend-turned-nemesis.

Also new to the bullet rain party: Hiroyuki Sanada as Shimaza, Wick ally and manager of the Osaka Continental Wick ally; singer Rina Sawayama making her acting debut as Shimaza’s daughter, Akira; Wyonna Earp’s Shamier Anderson as The Tracker, a dog-lovin’ killer bent on collecting the US$14 million bounty on Wick’s head; and Ip Man 4 villain Scott Adkin as the grossly overweight Killa, a really charming fella.

Wick isn’t alone in his revolt: Laurence Fishburne’s back as the Bowery King, as is Continental manager Winston (Ian McShane) and his loyal concierge Charon (the late Lance Reddick)

At two-and-a-half hours long, John Wick: Chapter 4 is a supersized sequel, packed to the gills with mind-blowing back-to-back action — kung-fu, gun-fu, sword-fu, nunchucks-fu, horse-fu, dog-fu, car-fu, bike-fu…you name it. Amid the pandemonium and property damage, there’s still room for emotional heft.

8Days recently sat down with Reeves on Zoom from Los Angeles and asked him about trading kicks and bunches with Yen and a somewhat surreal moment where Wick uses a Cantonese expletive.

“Trying to swear in Cantonese was Donnie’s idea, so I had to learn it on the fly,” said Reeves. “I hope it wasn’t bad.”

John Wick: Chapter 4 (M18) opens in cinemas on Mar 23. If you’re new to John Wick mayhem, John Wick, John Wick: Chapter 2, John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum are on Netflix.

Photos: TPG News/Click Photos

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