Meet Hollywood’s Merchant of Death: The Man Behind More On-Screen Deaths Than Any Movie Franchise, Ever

Chad Stahelski isn't a household name.

Chad Stahelski on the red carpet for John Wick 3Photo byISA FOLTIN/WIREIMAGE

Yet, he's the director of one of the most successful movie franchises in recent history. Toping global box office charts, the 4th and final instalment of the $1 billion John Wick series also tops the list of most on-screen deaths.

Less than a decade ago, Chad was merely a stuntman who was granted the opportunity of a lifetime. Since then, he's become Hollywood's merchant of death -- curating and choreographing thousands of fatal fight scenes throughout his career.

Before making his directorial debut, Chad worked as a stuntman, stunt coordinator, and 2nd-unit director on high-octane classics such as "V For Vendetta", "Rambo", and "The Expendables". But, the John Wick franchise would give Chad an opportunity to fully express his passion for guns, muscle cars, and martial arts.

According to Augustman.com, the John Wick series showcases a whopping 439 total deaths. That is:

• John Wick 1 - 77
• John Wick: Chapter 2 - 123
• John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum - 94
• John Wick: Chapter 4 - 140

The slick neo-noir-action-martial-arts movie is an action lover's dream. And, John Wick: Chapter 4 offers more action and on-screen deaths than any of its predecessors. Its elevated world, loosely based on Greek mythology, allows for otherworldly martial arts scenes and extravagant weapon play.

In other words, a stuntman's dream -- a playground for Chad to carry out his visions.

On an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Chad explained how the opportunity to direct John Wick came about -- and, why it became successful.

After a lifetime of gig stunt work on movies and television, Chad eventually landed his big break, as Keanu Reeve's stunt double on The Matrix. It was from there that he and Keanu became friendly and one day, Keanu sent Chad a script, with the working title, "Scorn".

Interested but unsure, Keanu asked Chad what he thought. Chad recounts his initial thoughts:

"I read it and I was like, 'I don't know what to do with this, action-wise, he only kills 2 people."

Keanu revealed that the writers were looking to spice it up, and he asked if he wanted to direct it. So, Chad called up his writing partner, David Leitch, and the pair worked up a pitch to be presented to studios the next day, renaming it "John Wick", after the screenplay author, David Kolstad's, late grandfather.

Not garnering much initial interest, Chad and Dave decided to create the ultimate action flick -- as opposed to sticking to Hollywood's formula for success. When they brought it to Keanu, he responded with one word:

"Interesting."

After eventually securing distribution from Summit Entertainment and production funding from Thunder Road Pictures, John Wick 1 appeared on screens on October 24th, 2004. The rest is history.

A lot is to be said for the success of the film, but Chad accredits much of its success to Keanu's passion for training and choreography. He fell in love with shooting and even innovated "the gun flick" -- John Wick's patented flick of his gun when reloading. Although created for cinematic effect, the move has even been adapted by real-life shooters and used in competitions to reload faster.

So, whether it's riding horseback down the streets of New York in an all-out gunfight or fighting cyberpunk samurais in a modern art museum, there's one lesson filmmakers and creators can learn from Chad's story.

Lead with passion. And when opportunity comes knocking, answer.

Hey, I'm Hudson! I write about social media, marketing, and modern entrepreneurship. Hit follow for more stories like this one.