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Keanu Reeves’ portrayal of the titular character in John Wick 4 has not only been hailed as one of the best performances in his career but also marked by jaw-dropping stunts and intense action sequences. However, an interesting detail about Reeves’ compensation for his role has emerged, highlighting the stark contrast between his physical performance and the minimal dialogue in the film.
Throughout the nearly three-hour runtime of John Wick 4, Reeves utters a mere 380 words. This limited amount of dialogue becomes a fascinating point of comparison when considering the actor’s reported salary for the film. While the precise figure for John Wick 4 has not been confirmed, Reeves earned $2.5 million for John Wick 3, and his compensation for The Matrix 4 was reported to be up to $14 million, according to Variety.
If Reeves’ salary for John Wick 4 surpassed his earnings for John Wick 3, it is likely that he was making at least $10,000 per word for the latest installment in the franchise. In a hypothetical scenario where his compensation matched his Matrix 4 fee, Reeves would have earned an astonishing $36,000 per word. Even if his salary were comparable to John Wick 3, he would still be making over $6,500 per word.
This financial breakdown underscores the unique nature of Reeves’ role in John Wick, where his physicality and mastery of stunts take precedence over extensive dialogue. While the actor may not have had a wealth of words to deliver on screen, his commitment to the demanding physical aspects of the role undoubtedly contributed to the film’s success, making his compensation a reflection of the value placed on his exceptional performance.