It’s Common vs Keanu as John Wick 2 Names Its Big Bad

Common will face off against Keanu Reeves in John Wick 2

Common, who recently took home an Academy Award for his work as a musician on Ava DuVernay‘s Selma, has today joined the cast of the highly-anticipated John Wick 2. The Hollywood Reporter has the news, bringing word that Common will play the sequel’s main villain, the head of security for a female crime lord.

“In the follow up to last year’s adrenaline-fueled revenge and redemption thriller,” reads the sequel’s temporarily minimal plot synopsis, “legendary hit man John Wick is back.”

John Wick 2 filming begins this week with Keanu Reeves reprising the title and director Chad Stahelski returning to helm. Stahleski directed the first John Wick alongside David Leitch but, per the trade, Stahleski will helm John Wick 2 solo while Leitch prepares to direct the upcoming 1980s spy thriller, The Coldest City.

John Wick screenwriter Derek Kolstad is also returning for the sequel, which will be released through Lionsgate’s Summit Entertainment and will be produced by Thunder Road’s Basil Iwanyk. Iwanyk also produced the first film.

Produced on a modest $20 million budget, John Wick earned more than $78 million at the worldwide box office and also became a hit in the home video market.

Jason Constantine and Eda Kowan at Lionsgate are overseeing John Wick 2 on behalf of Lionsgate.

Common has a variety of exciting projects coming up, including David Ayer’s DC Comics ensemble, Suicide Squad.

Last year, ComingSoon.net had the opportunity to visit the directing pair of Leitch and Stahelski at their 87Eleven Action Design studio. Click on the link to check out our full report, which includes a choreographed John Wick stunt video!

Do you think that Common makes a good villain for John Wick 2? Who do you think will play the female crime lord? Let us know in the comments below!