The John Wick franchise has never been short on talent, but it is getting a major infusion of it for John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum with two Oscar winners, Halle Berry and Anjelica Huston. As a former Bond girl who also was Storm in the X-Men franchise, we’re used to seeing Halle Berry in these kinds of movies, but it is less familiar for Anjelica Huston. In fact, John Wick: Chapter 3 is the type of movie Anjelica Huston usually hates, as she explained:
I don’t like violent movies. But I like this movie. This is a movie about a guy who’s basically avenging the death of his puppy. Jesus, I’m passionate about dogs. It’s a huge thing.
Generally speaking, you’re far more likely to find Anjelica Huston in a Wes Anderson film or voicing a character in a kid’s animated series than in a violent action film. And perhaps that is the result of her distaste for violence. Yet, for someone who doesn’t like violent movies, she really dove into the deep end of the genre with John Wick: Chapter 3.
This franchise is one of the most violent out there (although not especially bloody), with kill counts measured in the triple digits. The actress was cool with it here, and actually likes Parabellum because it isn’t senseless violence, this series started with John Wick simply trying to avenge the murder of his dog.
As a good dog owner who loved his pet, John Wick’s violent response is really quite appropriate given the circumstances, restrained even. Anjelica Huston clearly understands and likes this about the character because as she told Vulture, she is passionate about dogs and actually owns three dogs herself, in addition to a sheep, 13 goats and 5 horses.
Anjelica Huston is clearly an animal lover and that made her like this movie more than most violent fare. Which is kind of a fun contrast considering that in the trailer for John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum, her character the Director, a Russian ballet instructor, incredulously asks Keanu Reeves’ character, “All of this for what, because of a puppy?”
So despite her usual aversion to violent movies, Anjelica Huston signed on to John Wick: Chapter 3-Parabelleum and it didn’t take much convincing for her to do so, as she explained:
Oh God, it’s so easy. Quite honestly, I’m looking for movies that impress me in some way, that aren’t apologetically humble or humiliating like, ‘Band of cheerleaders gets back together for one last hurrah,’ you know. An old-lady cheerleader movie. I don’t like that kind of thing. If I’m going to be an old lady — and I’m sort of touching old lady these days — at least I want to be a special old lady. I don’t want to be relegated to some has-been making a comeback. I hate comebacks.
On top of her affinity for John Wick’s responsible pet ownership, Anjelica Huston seems to also have really appreciated her character in the film. As she said, she likes to play “a special old lady” and while we haven't seen a lot from the Director just yet, she appears to fit that bill and was special enough to impress Anjelica Huston.
The Director appears to be a sage, somewhat sassy character and as a member of the High Table, she has some sort of influence. That John Wick appears to go to her for help means that she may be an old lady, but her years have put her in a position of major power. Basically, she’s cool.
This is in contrast to the other kinds of characters Anjelica Huston would rather not play, ones that are somewhat humiliating, making age into a source of humor or something to be triumphed over and not one of dignity. It’s an understandable opinion to have and thankfully, John Wick: Chapter 3 had a role that was suitable and appealing enough to bring her aboard.
John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum opens on May 17. Check out our 2019 Release Schedule to see all the biggest movies headed your way this summer season.
