John Leguizamo Wasn't Initially Wowed By John Wick's Script

Even though Keanu Reeves tends to take prominence in the eyes of fans, it's worth remembering that the "John Wick" franchise is loaded with other immensely talented actors. Folks such as Donnie Yen, Anjelica Huston, and the late great Lance Reddick have left their mark on the franchise in various roles. Silver screen icon John Leguizamo is among these names and many others as well, having appeared in the first two "John Wick" movies as chop shop owner and skilled mechanic Aurelio. Although, it's somewhat surprising that he took on the part, considering he wasn't that impressed with the first movie's script.

Leguizamo spoke with GQ in April 2023 to discuss his most famous acting credits to date. Naturally, "John Wick" came up in conversation, which prompted him to share that he wasn't exactly blown away by the first film's script when he first read it. "It was ok, it wasn't, like, 'Wow, I can't wait to do this.' It was like, it was interesting," he recalled of his initial thoughts on the script. Once he saw the completed film, though, he was amazed at how incredible the written material translated to the big screen.

Leguizamo made no bones about his enjoyment in working on the first two "John Wick" movies, so with that in mind, why hasn't he appeared in the franchise since "John Wick: Chapter 2"?

It's a tale as old as time: an actor comes to set, films a bunch of really great, entertaining scenes, and for one reason or another, all of that hard work ends up on the cutting room floor. That's exactly what happened to John Leguizamo in "John Wick: Chapter 2," as he explained during a chat with Jim Norton and Sam Roberts in 2019. "I had monologues, I had a fight sequence, I had a backstory, and it got all cut out, and I didn't find out until the screening," he said of Aurelio's lost character development in the action-packed sequel.

Ultimately, Leguizamo's Aurelio gets very little to do in "Chapter 2." Very little. In fact, he winds up so deep in the film's peripherals that during the events of the third "John Wick" movie — "John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum" — he's nowhere to be seen. Unsurprisingly, he doesn't make his return in "John Wick: Chapter 4" either, cementing the idea that Aurelio, and therefore Leguizamo, simply can't fit in the story the minds behind the "John Wick" saga want to tell. Thankfully, Leguizamo told Looper in an exclusive interview that he's found peace with missing out on "Chapter 3."

John Leguizamo didn't get to truly shine in the "John Wick" series, with Aurelio disappearing from the franchise prematurely. Nevertheless, the actor will always be able to say that he was a part of the groundbreaking first film — a movie that he felt came to fruition on the back of an unimpressive script — and, to a lesser extent, its first sequel.