Riddick should have been celebrating this week. The 60-year-old was enjoying another boom in his career that took him from television success in The Wire, Fringe, and Bosch to late stardom in John Wick. He was on the road recently promoting the fourth film’s imminent release in a whirlwind of red carpets and media interviews, but he abruptly pulled out of the New York premiere last week. His body was found at home on Friday and initial reports indicate natural causes of death.
Riddick played the mysterious Charon in cult and thriller films. The concierge at the Continental Hotel (a New York home for killers on the go) was naturally helpful in the fight, as seen in the scene below. but he was also notoriously economical with his words, presenting each one with such cuteness and grace that they spoke a thousand more.
So it was a pleasure to hear him, in his own voice (not that smooth Kenyan purr onscreen) talking about his time in the franchise and his special love for Keanu Reeves – another star who’s known for avoiding the spotlight and rarely wasting words and gestures.
Reeves himself said he was “saddened” by the loss of his friend and colleague.
Riddick added, “During John Wick: Chapter Four, my first day of shooting happened to be Keanu’s birthday. But he wasn’t in the scene. He came to the set anyway at nine o’clock at night with his girlfriend…
And she told me she asked Keanu what he wanted to do for his birthday, and he said, “I want to go see Lance.”
“He had never done this before, but he wrote me a note thanking me for what I brought to the character in these films. And he wanted to give it to me. I will never forget it. I will cry now.”
Of Reeves, Riddick said, “I just adore that guy. He’s an amazing human being.”
His teammates and crew have been mourning the sudden and horrific loss of the past two days. John Wick director Chad Stahelski also announced that the film will now be dedicated to the memory of actor Sharon.
The film is rumored to be the final in the franchise, but Riddick and his iconic character will live on. He’s already filmed scenes for a spin-off TV show, Ballerina, and plans are still in the works for Charon’s origin story.
John Wick: Chapter Four will be released on March 24
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