Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne join ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ stars in honoring Lance Reddick, their co-star who died unexpectedly last week, at the film’s premiere in Los Angeles.
LOS ANGELES — Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne were among the stars of ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ to honor Lance Reddick, his co-star who died unexpectedly last week, at the film’s premiere in Los Angeles.
“We lost our brother, and in a very shocking way. I think we are all still in shock. “Life can be hard sometimes,” said a visibly shaken Fishburne, pausing before continuing.
Many of those working on the film wore blue ribbons to honor Reddick, a prolific actor with prominent roles in The Wire, Oz, and John Wick film series.
“Just standing in his light and getting the opportunity to work with him is something I will cherish for the rest of my life,” said Reeves. “He has a great passion for his work and craft. He is compassionate. He has dignity and presence.
Reddick, 60, died of natural causes in Los Angeles on Friday, said his publicist Mia Hansen. No further information was provided.
Tributes poured in for the actor, whose roles made him a popular and recognizable television and film star. He plays Charon, the multi-purpose Continental Hotel caretaker who loves Wick, an assassin played by Reeves. The latest installment hits theaters on Friday.
“He is the goodness of this film. In many ways, he’s the center of attention in the film because his character loves John Wick,” Fisburn said.
“You know it’s always hard when you lose someone you love so much . . . but you’re also so grateful for the time you spent together. We’ve been fortunate to have worked with Lance since the beginning of the John Wick franchise. I mean, almost ten years, said director Chad Stahelski. “I wish he could be with us tonight, but, you know, alive. But we’re so lucky to know him. And he’s a great man, a great artist, a great man, a great friend.
Shameer Moore, a newcomer to the “Wick” franchise, remembers Redick taking the time to say a kind word on set.
“I grew up with Lance Reddick. This is a bittersweet moment because he was one of my heroes growing up as a black actor,” Moore said. And even though we don’t share any screen time in this film, we do share some time off camera, and he was salt in the earth when he first met me.
“He said, ‘Shameer, you are amazing. I love your work, and it melts me like a puddle.”
