Common Cast as ‘John Wick 2’ Villain: Chad Stahelski Will Direct

Rapper Common will be cast as the villian in the action sequel John Wick 2; the second installment of the surprisingly successful Keanu Reeves 2014 film. Chad Stahelski will return to direct as they start production this week in New York and Italy. The first film was directed by Stahelski and David Leitch, however, Leitch is now tied to the new film Coldest City which features stars Charlize Theron and James McAvoy.  

The original plot follows Reeves, who plays an ex-hitman. He goes on a mission to get revenge after an in-home invasion leaves him wounded and his beloved dog dead. In an action-packed series of events, he returns to the assassin underworld that he left behind and proves that they should have left the retiree alone.

The sequel's storyline has been kept under wraps, but it is now known that Common's character will be the lead villain and head security for a unnamed female crime boss. Common's acting chops also have him tied to other upcoming projects that include Warner Bros. highly anticipated comic book film Suicide Squad. Will Smith, Jared Leto and Margot Robbie will also star in the film.

Common's acting resume also includes the 2014 drama, Selma, where he not only starred in the film but also co-wrote the Oscar-winning song "Glory." He will also star in the upcoming NBC venture, The Wiz Live! The live production will recreate the 1975 musical The Wiz with appearances by Queen Latifah, Ne-Yo and Mary J. Blige.

A familiar face that will return to the big screen for John Wick 2 is actor Ian McShane. He will reprise his role as Winston, owner of The Continental Hotel. The treacherous hotel caters to assassins with on-call doctors, discretion and its enforced no-killing rule. Both the hotel and McShane's character are fan favorites from the first film.