Kevin Kavanaugh, who was the production designer for this year's action sequel John Wick: Chapter 2, will return in the same role for 2019's John Wick 3. Kavanaugh is also known for his work on The Dark Knight Rises, Nightcrawler, and the upcoming Sicario 2: Soldado.
Following the critical and commercial success of Chapter 2, Lionsgate is quickly moving ahead on another installment in their franchise. Recently securing a summer 2019 release date, it's expected production will begin at some point in the spring or summer. Originally, the cameras were slated to start rolling this fall, but the schedule was pushed back to accommodate director Chad Stahelski's schedule. In the meantime, pre-production is well underway, and a key crew member has come back onboard.
Related: Samuel L. Jackson Wants To Be in John Wick 3
Omega Underground is reporting Kavanaugh has signed on to be the production designer for John Wick 3. Some viewers felt Chapter 2 exceeded its predecessor in many ways, most notably with how it upped the production design. Kavanaugh does excellent work (as illustrated by his filmography), and it's exciting to know he'll bring his touch to the next installment. Keanu Reeves, of course, will reprise the lead role, but there's no confirmation of any other actors right now. However, it's thought some casting announcements will be made soon.
The John Wick franchise has quickly become known for its striking imagery, with sequences taking place in such eye-catching locations like the Red Circle nightclub. Chapter 2 upped the scale considerably, with visually-stunning shootouts set in Rome and New York. Much of the credit there has to be given to Kavanaugh, who certainly has given the series a great style through his work. If his history is anything to go by, Chapter 3 should be more of the same and another treat to watch on the big screen. Given how successful Chapter 2 was, it's no surprise Stahelski wants to collaborate with Kavanaugh again.
While it's great to get an update on John Wick 3, fans are more interested in some juicer tidbits, such as plot details. Reeves has his own idea for the film's opening, suggesting the third installment should be about John on the run, trying to escape the island. Stahelski has also mentioned Chapter 3 will explore the mythology of the series and where John came from, peeling back more layers about the character and the fascinating underground assassin world he created. Whether this will be a definite end to the series remains to be seen, but those involved seem set on concluding John's story here.
MORE: How John Wick 2 Sets Up Chapter 3
Source: Omega Underground
