
Chad Stahelski is an American director and stuntman, born September 20, 1968. He is best known for his work as the director of the popular John Wick film series. In addition to his work as a director, Stahelski has also worked as a stuntman, stunt coordinator and second unit director on numerous other films.
Chad Stahelski | |
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Born | September 20, 1968 |
Nationality | American |
Occupation(s) | Director, stunt coordinator, second unit director, actor |
active years | 1992–present |
Famous for |
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Youth and career
Stahelski was born and raised in the United States. He had a passion for martial arts from an early age and began training in a variety of disciplines. He attended high school in California and later enrolled at the University of Southern California, where he studied film.
After completing his studies, Stahelski began working as a stuntman in the film industry. He quickly gained a reputation for his skill and precision, and he soon worked on some of the biggest films of the time.
stunt work
One of Stahelski’s first notable roles as a stuntman was on the set of the 1994 film The Crow. Tragically, during the film’s production, lead actor Brandon Lee was fatally shot. Stahelski and fellow stuntman Jeff Cadiente were called in to replace Lee for some scenes using a pioneering CGI technique that superimposed Lee’s face over their bodies. This technique was revolutionary at the time and has since been used to allow deceased actors to complete projects or appear in new performances.
Stahelski continued to work as a stuntman on a variety of films over the years, including as a stuntman for his future John Wick star Keanu Reeves in The Matrix franchise. He has also worked as a stunt coordinator and second unit director on several films, including the 2009 film Ninja Assassin.
Director career
In 2014, Stahelski co-directed the action thriller John Wick with David Leitch. The film starred Keanu Reeves and Michael Nyqvist and was a commercial and critical success. It grossed over $88 million at the box office and received rave reviews for its sleek action sequences and innovative cinematography.
Stahelski went on to direct John Wick sequels, including John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017), John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019), and the upcoming John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023). He has also worked as a second unit director on other films, including the Birds of Prey revivals.
In addition to his work on the John Wick series, Stahelski has been attached to several other projects. He has developed a remake of the classic Highlander film, as well as adaptations of Rainbow Six, Ghost of Tsushima, Black Samurai for Netflix and Shibumi for Warner Bros. in March 2023. It has also been attached to direct comic book adaptations. the Kill or Be Killed and Sandman Slim book series, as well as the film Analog.
Private life
Stahelski was married to fellow stuntwoman Heidi Moneymaker, who worked as Scarlett Johansson’s double in Black Widow. She also appeared in Stahelski’s film John Wick: Chapter 2. However, they divorced in 2018.
Stahelski was a close friend of Brandon Lee, with whom he trained at the Inosanto Academy. The tragic accident on the set of The Crow had a profound impact on Stahelski, and he has spoken in the past about the importance of safety on film sets.
Filmography
Year | Title | Director | Producer |
---|---|---|---|
2014 | John Wick | Yes | No |
2017 | John Wick: Chapter 2 | Yes | No |
2019 | John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum | Yes | Executive |
2021 | Bruised | No | Executive |
2022 | Day shift | No | Yes |
2023 | John Wick: Chapter 4 | Yes | Yes |
2024 | Ballerina | No | Yes |
Second Unit Director
Year | Title | Remarks |
---|---|---|
2016 | Captain America: Civil War | |
2020 | Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of Harley Quinn) | Also stunt coordinator |
Waterfalls
Year | Title | Remarks |
---|---|---|
1994 | The crow | Brandon Lee-Stunt Double (uncredited reshoots) credited as Chad Storelson |
1996 | Escape from LA | |
1997 | Bean | |
1997 | Orgasm | |
1998 | decline | |
1998 | almost heroes | |
1998 | The hunt | Stunts/Stunts Coordinator |
1999 | 8mm | |
1999 | The matrix | Keanu Reeves – Stunt Double |
1999 | wild west wild | |
2000 | pick up the pieces | |
2000 | The replacements | (Keanu Reeves – Uncredited Stunt Double) |
2000 | Gift | (Uncredited stunts) |
2001 | tom cats | |
2001 | Ghosts of Mars | |
2001 | rock star | |
2001 | Corky Romano | |
2003 | The Matrix Reloaded | Martial Arts Stunt Coordinator |
2003 | The matrix revolutions | Martial Arts Stunt Coordinator |
2004 | Couple | Stunt Driver (uncredited) |
2004 | Van Helsing | Fight Coordinator/Assistant Stunt Coordinator |
2004 | Spiderman 2 | (Uncredited) |
2004 | Cellular | Utility stunts (uncredited) |
2005 | thumb sucker | |
2005 | Constantine | Fight Choreographer (uncredited) |
2005 | XXX: State of the Union | |
2005 | Mr. and Mrs. Smith | (Utility stunts) |
2005 | The Dukes of Hazard | (Uncredited Johnny Knoxville-Stunt Double) |
2005 | Serenity | stunt coordinator |
2005 | Aeon Stream | (Uncredited) |
2005 | V for Vendetta | |
2006 | Oktoberfest | stunt coordinator |
2006 | 300 | fight choreographer |
2007 | Following | |
2007 | Live free or die hard | |
2007 | Kill them | (Uncredited) |
2007 | I’m a legend | (Uncredited) |
2008 | Jumper | |
2008 | speed racer | Supervise the stunt coordinator |
2009 | X-Men Origins: Wolverine | Action Coordinator |
2009 | ninja assassin | stunt coordinator |
2010 | iron man 2 | (Utility stunts) |
2010 | The Expendables | stunt coordinator |
2010 | tron the legacy | (Uncredited) |
2011 | season of the witch | (Uncredited) |
2011 | The mecanic | stunt coordinator |
2011 | Immortals | fight choreographer |
2012 | On | Supervise the stunt coordinator |
2012 | Dred | Action Coordinator |
2013 | GI Joe: Retaliation | Assistant stunt coordinator |
2013 | The glutton | Stunt Coordinator (uncredited) |
2013 | 47 Ronins | Stunt Coordinator (uncredited) |
2013 | home front | |
2014 | Captain America: The Winter Soldier | (Uncredited) |
2018 | Deadpool 2 | Directed by David Leitch |
Actor
Year | Title | Role | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|
1998 | Vampires | Male Master #4 | |
2021 | The Matrix Resurrections | Chad[1] |
The references
- ^ Weintraub, Steve (December 20, 2021). Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss on The Matrix Resurrections, Trinity and Chad Stahelski. Collider – through YouTube.