Bullet Train star Hiroyuki Sanada teases his reunion with 47 Ronin co-star Keanu Reeves in the upcoming John Wick: Chapter 4. Sanada is known for his roles in Japanese movies Ringu, Ninja in the Dragon's Den, and The Twilight Samurai, as well as his recent roles in Hollywood films such as Avengers: Endgame, Army of the Dead, and Mortal Kombat. His background and talent in martial arts has lead the actor to be a consistently strong choice for major action movie roles.
Based on the novel of the same name, Bullet Train follows Ladybug (Brad Pitt), an American assassin whose tasked with collecting a briefcase on the titular bullet train in Japan, having to dodge several other assassins along the way. These include Sanada's The Elder, a role in which the actor will play to his type of an experienced fighter. Sanada's character in John Wick: Chapter 4, however, is still somewhat shrouded in mystery, with few story details about the sequel movie having emerged so far. Now, the actor has given a hint as to his character's relationship with Reeves' John Wick.
In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, Sanada talks about his role in the upcoming John Wick 4, and how it will reunite him with Reeves. The actor notes that the movie will be his second time collaborating with Reeves after 2013's 47 Ronin. Interestingly, Sanada notes that he'll have a "similar" relationship with Reeves in John Wick 4 as their characters did in 47 Ronin. Unsurprisingly, he also teases a fight scene in the movie. Read his quote below:
"It was my second time working with Keanu since 47 Ronin, so it was a great reunion. And kind of a similar situation in the movie, so that's the biggest hint. And of course, I had a fighting scene, too. Another enjoyable role for me."
Given that Sanada and Reeves played allies in 47 Ronin, it stands to reason from the actor's comments that the two will be allies again in John Wick 4. Sanada could perhaps play a friend of Wick's, who is willing to join his quest in dismantling the High Table. Sanada has previously hinted that his character in John Wick 4 will be an friend who is drawn into Wick's fight the way that Halle Berry's character was in John Wick 3. However, due to the secretive nature of the production, these latest comments from Sanada are all audiences have to go on for now.
The John Wick films are the closest modern Hollywood cinema has gotten to the frenetic and artful style of the impressive Japanese-language action movies that Sanada built his career on. If the franchise's producers are able to continue the expressive choreography and concise editing of its three predecessors, John Wick: Chapter 4 should be able to maintain the momentum of the franchise. Casting an action veteran such as Sanada will certainly go a long way to making this so, and to have the actor reunite with Keanu Reeves as a potential ally will surely create a formiddable fighting team.
