John Wick - Noah Blake - E-Book

John Wick E-Book

Noah Blake

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Beschreibung

"John Wick - The man, the myth, the legend" is an immersive compendium written by Noah Blake, providing fans with a comprehensive guide to the intricate universe surrounding the legendary hitman. Delving into this secretive world, readers will uncover the hidden stories, alliances, and code of honor that shape John Wick's stories. Through meticulous research, Noah Blake presents a treasure trove of information, taking readers on an extraordinary journey into the depths of John Wick's universe. Whether a die-hard fan or a newcomer, this compendium offers an immersive experience, unlocking the secrets of the assassin's realm. Contains break downs of the recent mini-series The Continental.

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Contents

Introduction

Who is John Wick?

The story behind

John Wick's terminology

John Wick's elements

The music

The characters

John Wick's comic books

The video game

Joh Wick

John Wick: Chapter 2

John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum

John Wick: Chapter 4

John Wick: Chapter 5...maybe

The Continental

Ballerina

The firearms

The cars

The movies' locations

References

Chapter 1

Introduction

WHEN John Wick hit theaters in 2014, no one could have predicted the enormous success that it would have. The movie was a relatively straightforward story about a retired assassin seeking vengeance for his dog's death. However, that movie set the foundation for a complex and detailed world full of mercenaries and assassins. From the Tarasov Mob to the workers at the Continental, to the members of the High Table, the franchise has introduced a plethora of characters throughout its history.

John Wick not only reignited Keanu Reeves' career, but it also kicked off one of the most successful lore-heavy action franchises of all time. After the critical and box office success of the first movie, John Wick: Chapter 2 and John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum quickly followed in 2017 and 2019, respectively. Both films were critically acclaimed and doubled the worldwide box office of the original, which is a rarity in the modern film landscape. John Wick: Chapter 4 has then reconfirmed the previous success.

What makes the John Wick franchise so enthralling is the growing quality of the series, which has raised the bar for the action genre with each new dazzling set piece. The franchise has redefined the meaning of the word action as well as conied new terms, such as "gun-fu," with memorable moments like Wick killing someone with just a pencil or taking down a group of enemies on a horseback with a sword. Chapter 4 then raised the bar even higher.

One of the key reasons for the success of the John Wick franchise is Keanu Reeves' incredible job as the main character. But the realism of the action scenes is another major factor, particularly in the way that John Wick and his opponents handle guns and fights. People who understand guns and know how to shoot have taken to the franchise like a kid in a candy store.

Many believe that the realism of the fighting scenes is the magic formula for the franchise's success. This realism begins with Director Chad Stahelski's penchant for realism. However, the biggest factor is Keanu Reeves' determination to be the best and actually learn the skills that John Wick displays in the movies. Reeves does his own stunts and has trained extensively in Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, as well as close gun combat. He has even done a considerable amount of firearms training with Taran Butler, one of the most acclaimed competitive shooters and world champions.

The result of Reeves' training is that he can actually handle the many firearms he uses in the films as if he actually knows what he's doing. This authenticity resonates with audiences and has helped to make John Wick one of the most popular action franchises ever made. The franchise's success has also led to the creation of spin-off series The Continental, Ballerina, and a video game, further expanding the John Wick universe for the years to come.

This book attempts to collect all the pieces of information about John Wick and to offer the reader a comprehensive understanding of it and what made the John Wick franchise a legend of our times.

John Wick's movies Summary

Chapter 2

Who is John Wick?

JONATAN“John” Wick is a retired professional hitman who was once at the top of his game, working for the Tarasov Mob. Throughout his professional journey, John Wick has garnered a notorious and awe-inspiring renown as one of the globe's most perilous, dreaded, and remarkably proficient assassins. With his extraordinary feats, formidable abilities, lethal accuracy, and unwavering dedication to accomplishing his objectives, he has firmly established himself as a legendary and infamous persona within the realms of international illicit activities. His fearsome reputation extends far and wide, earning him the monikers "Baba Yaga" or "The Boogeyman."

Jardani Jovanovich, was born on September 12, 1964, in Padhorje, Byelorussian SSR, Soviet Union. Orphaned at a young age, he found refuge with an old friend of his father, who later became his mentor. Eventually, Jardani was recruited by the Ruska Roma criminal organization and received training from their leader, a woman known as "the Director," in New York City. His connections within the various branches of the Ruska Roma introduced him to individuals like Katia, who became his surrogate sister. Guided by the Director, Jardani underwent intensive training as a professional assassin, acquiring skills in martial arts, firearms, tactical driving, infiltration, escapology, and thievery. Subsequently, he adopted the name "Jonathan Wick," as Jardani translates in English as Jonathan (Jardani is the Caló form of John – Caló is a language spoken by the Spanish and Portuguese Romani), and Wick, which are the last four letters of its last name. The name was then anglicized to "John Wick" for simplicity. The name "John Wick" is also said to have been derived from Derek Kolstad (the creator of John Wick) grandfather, John F. Wick, who happened to be the founder of Wick Buildings. This personal connection influenced the choice of the character's name, adding a touch of significance and homage to Kolstad's family history.

In the John Wick comic book mini-series (see related chapter), it is revealed that Jardani spent a significant part of his adolescence in El Sauzel, Mexico. During this time, he embarked on a mission to avenge the destruction and loss of fifty innocent civilians in his childhood hometown caused by a gang. Along the way, he encountered Charon, an old acquaintance, and saved him from assassins who had him at gunpoint. This act served as the foundation of their friendship, with Charon acknowledging a life debt to John.

A prominent tattoo is seen in the first movie spanning John's back and displaying the phrase "Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat" (meaning "fortune favors the bold"), suggesting his possible affiliation with the United States Marine Corps, although this remains unverified. If true, it is plausible that he served within the Special Operations Command, considering his profound understanding of security surveillance and exceptional strategic planning abilities. However, it is important to note that this speculation lacks confirmation.

After parting ways with the Ruska Roma, John embarked on a career as a professional assassin, gaining widespread recognition due to his unmatched lethality. His reputation for unparalleled efficiency and unwavering reliability instilled both respect and fear among criminals, solidifying his status as a legendary figure. Leaders of various criminal organizations recognized him as someone not to be crossed, given his unyielding determination to pursue those who incurred his wrath.

Probably during this time, an enigmatic and elusive criminal mastermind, referred to as Hex, rose in defiance against the ultimate authority within the global criminal underworld known as the High Table. In a clandestine act, Hex abducted both New York's Continental concierge and manager Charon and Winston, their whereabouts concealed from the knowledge of others. Summoned by the High Table through a binding contract, John Wick was tasked with a mission of unwavering loyalty: to rescue Charon and Winston from their captor. Setting out on a perilous journey, John traversed the streets of New York City and the landscapes of Switzerland, engaging in fierce confrontations with Hex's enforcers and underlings. With unyielding determination, he ultimately vanquished Hex, securing the freedom of Charon and Winston from their captor's clutches.

John became a member of the Tarasov Mob, a Russian criminal organization, assuming the role of a chief enforcer under its leader, Viggo Tarasov. Viggo highly valued and respected John's extraordinary skills, having witnessed him eliminate three men in a bar using nothing but a single pencil. During his time with the Tarasov Mob, John established connections with other criminals associated with the High Table. However, his profession naturally attracted numerous adversaries, including Ms. Perkins, Cassian, and Sofia Al-Azwar. In an act of assistance, John aided Sofia in rescuing her daughter from the mob, earning a blood oath marker from her as a symbol of her indebtedness to him.

Sometime during this time, John encountered a woman named Helen, and their deep connection led to a profound love that culminated in marriage. Driven by his devotion to her, John made the life-altering decision to abandon his existence as an assassin. Approaching Viggo, he expressed his desire to retire, prompting a reluctant agreement from his former employer. However, Viggo imposed the arduous condition on John to accomplish an "impossible task" by eliminating all of Tarasov's rivals in a single night, ensuring their complete annihilation before any potential retaliation. Reflecting on this daunting undertaking, John later confided that he had to eliminate a substantial number of individuals to secure his freedom.

Recognizing the immense challenge of this endeavor, John sought assistance from Santino D'Antonio, an influential figure in the Italian syndicate. In exchange for additional resources and manpower, John agreed to grant Santino a blood marker. Little did they know that this decision would haunt them both in the future. John cunningly exploited a rare loophole, believing that since he was departing the criminal underworld, he would not be obligated to honor the marker. Upon accomplishing the task, John was granted release from Viggo's service and the criminal underworld, finally embracing the prospect of a tranquil life as a law-abiding citizen. John and Helen enjoyed a peaceful existence for about five years until Helen tragically succumbed to an undisclosed terminal illness shortly before the events depicted in John Wick.

After Helen's death, John was left in a state of perpetual mourning, until Helen's parting gift to him, a puppy named Daisy, gave him the chance to learn to love again. Things took a turn for the worse when Viggo's son Iosef broke into John's home to steal his car, a 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1, and killed Daisy in the process. This triggered a chain of events that saw John unleash the full extent of his wrath upon the Tarasov Mob and anyone who dared to stand in his way.

One of the things that sets John Wick apart from other action movies is the sheer level of violence that John unleashes upon his enemies. This violence is not mindless, however. John is not a man who kills for pleasure or out of a sense of vengeance. Instead, he is a man who kills because he has to. He is a man who has been pushed to his limits and who will do whatever it takes to protect those he loves. John is a complex character, and his motivations are not always clear. At times, he seems almost invincible, capable of taking on entire armies of heavily armed assassins without breaking a sweat. At other times, he seems vulnerable and human, struggling to cope with the loss of his wife and the death of his beloved dog. Despite the violence that he unleashes upon his enemies, John is not a villain. He is not a man who revels in death and destruction. Instead, he is a man who is trying to do the right thing, even if that means taking extreme measures to protect those he loves. It is this complexity that makes John Wick such a compelling character, and it is one of the main reasons the series has become so popular. People are drawn to John Wick because he is a hero who is not afraid to do what needs to be done, even if that means putting himself in harm's way. He is a man who is willing to risk everything to protect those he loves, and that is a quality that is all too rare in today's world.

Overall, John Wick is an incredible series that has captured the hearts of audiences around the world. It is a story about a man who is trying to do the right thing in a world that is full of darkness and danger. It is a story about love, loss, and redemption, and it is a story that will stay with audiences long after the credits have rolled.

Chapter 3

The Story behind

THEconcept for John Wick originated from the mind of screenwriter Derek Kolstad, who embarked on creating a story titled “Scorn”, revolving around a retired contract killer seeking revenge. Within a month, he finished the initial screenplay draft after addressing various concerns. Kolstad pitched the script to multiple potential buyers, receiving at least three offers. Influenced by film-noir classics and driven by themes of revenge and the antihero, Kolstad aimed to explore the scenario of the most despicable person finding redemption and the consequences when that source of redemption is taken away, questioning the opening of the gates of Hades.

It is speculated that John Wick's character may have drawn inspiration from Marcus Luttrell, a former member of the United States Navy SEALs. Luttrell gained recognition for being the lone survivor of Operation Red Wings. Upon returning home from his harrowing experience, Luttrell grappled with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), finding solace in the companionship of his dog. Tragically, a devastating event unfolded when two bandits ruthlessly shot and killed Luttrell's beloved canine companion. This heart-wrenching act ignited a fierce desire for revenge within Luttrell, compelling him to embark on a relentless pursuit to hunt down those responsible for his dog's demise.

It is also possible that John Wick's character drew inspiration from the novel "Shibumi." This novel depicts the tale of a retired assassin who possesses extraordinary skills and expertise. Notably, the character in the novel is renowned for a remarkable feat of killing someone using nothing but a humble pencil. The parallels between the lethal abilities and resourcefulness of the character in "Shibumi" and John Wick suggest a potential influence or inspiration for the iconic scenes involving John Wick's deadly prowess with a pencil.

In December 2012, Thunder Road Pictures acquired the script using discretionary funds, with Kolstad agreeing to their plan of immediate production. Upon reading Kolstad's original screenplay, Basil Iwanyk, the head of Thunder Road Pictures, was immediately captivated by the protagonist, Wick, describing the script's tone as subversive and enjoyable. They had read another script called "Acolyte" from Derek Kolstad and in the same meeting with the author, they were pitched with the Joh Wick story, that at that time was still called "Scorn". Over the weekend, they read "Scorn" and were impressed by its concept of featuring a dog and its numerous crazy villains, despite, admittedly needing a lot of work. As dog people themselves, the two felt that it was a genius idea and emailed Basil, who agreed with them. They also appreciated the emotional depth and action elements.

Once Thunder Road secured the script's option, Kolstad collaborated with them for additional months of rewriting. In the original version, John Wick was portrayed as a man in his mid-sixties, reflecting his legendary status as a revered and respected assassin. However, Iwanyk believed this aspect was inconsequential and slightly adjusted the initial vision, aiming to find someone with a seasoned history in the film world rather than focusing solely on age.

In 2013, Keanu Reeves secured the leading role in the film. After being presented with the script by Iwanyk, Erica Lee and Peter Lawson of Thunder Road, Reeves recognized its potential and expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "I love the role, but I want the entire story and ensemble to come to life." Reeves and Kolstad collaborated closely to further develop the screenplay and the story. Kolstad emphasized that they dedicated equal time to developing the other characters, as Reeves acknowledged that the strength of the storyline lies in even the smallest details. Eventually, the title of the film was changed from "Scorn" to "John Wick" because Reeves became so fond of the name that he kept referring to the project as "John Wick," and the producers agreed to the change.

During discussions about the story of John Wick, Reeves reached out to Chad Stahelski and David Leitch, whom he had initially met on the set of "The Matrix". He wanted to gauge their interest in choreographing or directing the action sequences in the film. Reeves held Stahelski and Leitch's work in high regard for their expertise in performing, choreography, and coordination. He secretly hoped they would be interested in directing the project, stating, "I immediately thought of Chad and Dave for the action design... I was hoping they'd want to direct it." Reeves believed that the genre and the creation of both the real world and the underworld depicted in the film would appeal to them, and his instincts proved correct. After reading Kolstad's script, Stahelski and Leitch expressed their desire to direct the story of John Wick, as they both aspired to take on directing projects. Impressed by Reeves' passion and the script's quality, they informed him of their intention to direct the film and presented their own version of the story, which revolved around Wick as an urban legend and aimed to blend thrilling assassin elements with a realistic yet otherworldly setting. Impressed with their concept, Reeves supported the duo, and Stahelski and Leitch pitched their idea to the studio. Contrary to their initial request to direct the film's second unit, the studio hired them as the main directors. In May 2013, Stahelski and Leitch began directing the film together as a team. However, later on, the Directors Guild of America ruled that only Stahelski would receive the director credit, while Leitch was credited as a producer.

Chad Stahelski began his filmmaking career three decades ago when he performed stunts for the direct-to-video ninja movie called “Brain Smasher...A Love Story” starring Andrew Dice Clay. Over the years, he worked his way up to become the stunt double for Keanu Reeves, a.k.a. Neo, in "The Matrix", before becoming the martial arts stunt choreographer for the franchise. Stahelski and Reeves later collaborated on the film Constantine in 2005.

Principal photography for the first film commenced in New York City, with an initial shooting schedule from September 25 to December 5, 2013. The filming process continued in various locations in and around New York City. John Wick was always intended to be a one-off movie that would showcase unabashed and gratuitous action, to the point that the movie was shot in New York City by calling actors who were actually living in New York City and could be available on short term notice. It was almost intended to be an independent movie. In fact, the film was independently financed and turned out to be a very difficult shoot at the beginning. Despite not having any domestic distribution, Lionsgate acquired it and released it in October 2014. It was a lot of arbitrary decisions that led to its success at the end. At a certain point everybody thought the movie only worked in all the foreign territories as Reeves was a big star in places such as Germany, South Korea, and Japan. At the time, "47 Ronin" was coming out. Reeves had been in China directing "Man of Tai Chi" for a long time. Nobody knew what the box office was going to be like then for "John Wick' domestically. At the Fantastic Fest then, Harry Knowles and others were impressed by the film, calling it an exemplary action movie. That was probably the turning point for the movie.

The film's success led to its sequel. In February 2015, directors Stahelski and Leitch announced that they had started developing a sequel to John Wick, later titled John Wick: Chapter 2. Around the same time, Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer expressed their intention to build John Wick into a multi-title action franchise. It was also reported that Kolstad would return to write the screenplay. In May 2015, the sequel was officially green-lit, and Lionsgate planned to promote the film at the Cannes Film Festival. Principal photography for the sequel began on October 26, 2015, in New York City. The production later moved to Rome and eventually resumed in Montreal, Canada, on October 27, 2016.

John Wick: Chapter 2 unlocked the door to a hidden world of assassins that Stahelski and Reeves had imagined. At that point, the two aimed to create a modern-day fantasy film that incorporated a little Greek mythology into their international assassin syndicates. Stahelski, who is a big Tolkien fan, notes that there aren't many modern-day fantasy movies with mythological realms, so he decided to make one.

By October 2016 then, Stahelski confirmed that a third film was in development and in June 2017 it was reported that Kolstad would once again write the screenplay for the third film. Lionsgate announced a release date of May 17, 2019, for the film in September 2017. In January 2018, news emerged that Chad Stahelski would be back to direct the film. Furthermore, it was revealed that Hiroyuki Sanada had been chosen to portray the film's antagonist. Production for the movie commenced in early 2018. On May 21, 2018, it was announced that Halle Berry, Asia Kate Dillon, Anjelica Huston, Mark Dacascos, and Jason Mantzoukas had joined the cast.

Stahelski reported that he thought the first movie was a finish because the movie was so nutty about killing 80 people over a puppy. But then they moved to number two, they finished it and they had the same response asking “how we're going to interact after that weird one?” And the third one came and they then believed to be the final one. But then again Stahelski remembers to have been with Reeves in Japan after having just finished reading the samurai code of ethics, a treat called hagakuri, which is literally the art of the way of dying or how to prepare yourself for death. They both thought that the concept was a pretty cool thing and were thinking that they didn't get to explore that on John Wick: Chapter 3 and eventually they both thought they could do better. However, the only reason for them to do another movie would have been to put the word "end" on it. Stahelski and Reeeves had the idea and thought that if they could really get the hagakuri philosophy in the ending to grief, the audience would be able to understand it along with the additions of all the references to Dante’s Inferno throughout about the layers of Hell, ultimately preparing the lead character to die by doing something good. They approached the forth instalment with this idea in mind.

Stahelski also stated that they did not have a specific plan on when they made the first three films, but with the greenlight for the fourth, they realized that it also needed to be the one that tied everything together and concluded the story of the titular character. In a way, Stahelski and Reeves already knew what they wanted to wrap John Wick up. Stahelski wanted a little bit of Buster Keaton, a little bit of anime, a little bit of samurai films, a little bit of wuxia films, a little bit of car chase and there he knew he would have John Wick: Chapter 4. The movie was announced in May 2019 a bit after the release of Chapter 3. Because of the pandemic, Reeves was then caught up with the shooting of "The Matrix Resurrections", which delayed the release of the movie until March 2023. The film was an overall success both in terms of critical response and box office as it grossed more than $430 million worldwide, which is the best performance of the Wick saga among the four titles released to date.

Both Reeves and Stahelski have been avoiding questions about a fifth John Wick movie at this point, as the ending of John Wick: Chapter 4 marks the character's demise. Despite the shock of this conclusion for fans who expected more movies to come, director Chad Stahelski reminded in an interview that making the movie was the entire point of explaining the lead character demise. He emphasized that every movie in the series followed a set of guidelines, with one of the most important ones being to have a clear reason for making each sequel.

Chapter 5

John Wick's terminology

ONE of the great things of John Wick is the world underneath the life of the main character. Since the scene when Wick says "I want to make a reservation" in the first movie, we have been introduced to the underground world of the franchise. With that we soon realize that there’s a lot of other people operating inside that world, with the code and roles through it. Indeed, the John Wick universe is teeming with assassin-related activity in an elaborate and sophisticated almost parallel universe. Summarized below are the important definitions to know to better understand this universe.

Adjudicator (n.) - Somebody who makes the formal decision based on a problem like a judge. In Wick's world Adjudicators serve as direct agents to the High Table.

Administration (n.) – The Administration Department is a bureaucratic organization affiliated with the High Table. Its primary function is to maintain comprehensive records of individuals who have been associated with the High Table or its subsidiary criminal factions. The department is responsible for tracking the Excommunicado status of individuals and processing and monitoring bounty contracts. Only individuals declared Excommunicado by the High Table or its authorized agents can have contracts placed on them. Among the types of contracts is the "open" contract, where anyone is permitted to eliminate the target and claim the bounty. The employees of the Administration Department hold two distinct positions: administrators and operators. Administrators oversee the management of records and the dissemination of active bounties, while operators handle client calls and inform administrators when a contract is commissioned. The department relies exclusively on outdated technology, including 64-bit computers, mechanical typewriters, a paper-based library catalog system, and manual telephone switchboards. Additionally, the employees adhere to a retro-style dress code, with men wearing shirts and waistcoats and women wearing pink sleeveless blouses and skirts. The Administration Department operates through multiple offices located in major cities such as New York and Paris. The Paris office, situated in the iconic Eiffel Tower, operates a city-wide radio station known as WUXIA. While the radio station plays music, its main appeal lies in the commentary provided by the DJ, who updates listeners on the current locations of active bounties.

(The) Continental (n.) — A chain of hotels catering to the criminal underworld, with verified establishments situated in various cities, including New York (where Wick is primarily based), Rome (as shown in John Wick: Chapter 2), Morocco (as featured in John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum), Osaka (as seen in Chapter 4), and Los Angeles (the basis for the upcoming TV series with the same name). The Continental enforces a strict rule: no killing is allowed on its premises. Additionally, the hotel chain offers several amenities beyond lodging, including custom suits for "tactical" engagements, sommeliers who compare various assault weapons instead of fine wines, and cartographers who provide maps and blueprints of local structures, among many others.

Camorra (n.) – The Camorra is an Italian criminal syndicate and covert society that operates within the framework of the High Table.

Condemned (n.) – Used for Continental properties, it means that the specific Continental hotel is meant for destruction, with it manager and concierge removed from their duties and, potentially, killed.

Deconsacreted (n.) – Used for Continental ground, it means that the hotel branch loses the neutral ground status. Once a Continental hotel is deconsecrated, it may also mean the High Table is signing the death warrant of its manager because they will now be able to send in the Deconsacrated Continental their mercenaries to clean up any employee. For example, after Winston helped John escape following his killing of Santino D'Antonio on Continental grounds, the High Table sent in an Adjudicator to bring him the message that he was required to step down. An entire army of assassins was then brought at the doorsteps of the New York Continental and Winston was able to fend off the attack courtesy of his trusted concierge Sharon and John Wick. Something similar happened to Koji, the manager of the Osaka Continental. After sheltering Wick while he was Excommunicado, his hotel was Deconsecrated and attacked. Koji was eventually assassinated for his disobedience.

Defensionem (n.) – The Defensionem Protocol is a self-destruct sequence that will destroy the New York Continental hotel and all of its secrets within 10 minutes.

Dinner Reservation (n.) – A codephrase for requesting assistance in handling dead bodies.

Excommunicado (n.) — Following his killing of Santino D'Antonio at the New York Continental, we learn that Wick is declared Excommunicado, which means he is now stripped of all privileges and deemed unwelcome at any Continental location worldwide. The High Table then offers a bounty on his head, putting every assassin on his tail. While being Excommunicado is a death sentence for most assassins, Wick seems to see it as an exciting challenge.

Gold coins (n.) — The mysterious gold coins are the currency of choice in the world of Wick, allowing him and all others operating in the underground network to obtain various services. Despite their lack of an official name, these coins are used to pay for a variety of services, ranging from bar tabs and corpse removal to lodging and weapons upgrades. What's curious is that all of these services typically cost the same fixed amount, which may seem illogical, but it rather serves to emphasize the importance of individual power in entering a gentleman agreement, rather than one based on a economic value and being a symbol of accumulated wealth. In other words, they levels the playing field as in the John Wick, gold coins are used as a symbol of belonging in the underworld economy, and they are not exchanged for real money. Overall, they serve as a medium of exchange with little emphasis on being a unit of account. The value of a gold coin is negotiated between two individuals, and the lowest denomination of one coin is the most common amount exchanged. As these coins are not treated as currency, even though their gold content has a real-life value, they function as a type of business card, indicating that the holder belongs and is respected within the underworld. The exchange of a gold coin offers an assurance of service or goods and a promise of safe, secure, and timely delivery.

Inimicus (n.) – Inimicus is the Latin word for enemy or foe, which links to the John Wick franchise’s tendency to base the rules of the High Table in Latin words and phrases.

To do (or conduct) business (v.) – To do business is a euphemism used in the Continental hotels, meaning to murder another person, usually a target in a hitjob. Doing business on Continental grounds is against the rules, and results in the offender having their privileges revoked and ultimately executed.