Keanu Reeves pays tribute to the late John Wick franchise actor Lance Reddick for helping the action franchise become popular with fans.

John Wick franchise lead Keanu Reeves pays a heartfelt tribute to late co-star Lance Reddick for making people fall in “love” with his titular character and the action film series

Speaking to People at the Saturn Awards, Reeves, who was nominated for a Best Actor award at the event, had kind words about Reddick and recalled writing him a letter before he died that credited him for making John Wick a household franchise. “He had such a passion and a fire for creativity, and for his craft, and for art. I had the chance to work with him on four films over the course of eight years, and over that time, we got to know each other better,” he said. “I once told him… Well, actually, I wrote him a letter and I said, ‘People love John Wick because Charon loves John Wick.’“

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Along with his Best Actor nomination, Reeves was at the Saturn Awards to accept the inaugural Lance Reddick Legacy Award, which, according to a press release, “symbolizes and celebrates not only a performer’s talent but their character.” Reeves held back tears as he spoke about Reddick’s work, spirit and personality during his acceptance speech remembering the revered actor. Reeves cherishes his fondest memories of Reddick, saying,”He had such a grace, and he was funny. I mean, humor-wise. I don’t know. I think favorite memory… it’s the scenes that I had with him and the relationship that he and John Wick had, Charon.” He added, “Because that character loved John Wick, that made John Wick okay. And so, when I got to act with him, we had such an affection.”

Lance Reddick Played Charon in All Four Movies

Reddick played The Continental hotel concierge, Charon, during all four John Wick films alongside Reeves’ eponymous hitman. However, just one week before Chapter 4 premiered last March, Reddick suddenly passed away at his Los Angeles home, aged 60, due to heart disease. The most recent John Wick sequel was dedicated to Reddick by Reeves and director Chad Stahelski.

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Despite Reddick’s passing, the actor will make one more appearance in the John Wick franchise. He and Reeves will appear in the upcoming John Wick spinoff film, Ballerina, starring Ana de Armas as the titular character.

Ballerina is one of the final performances featuring Reddick, with the movie’s events taking place between Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4. Reddick was also featured in Season 1 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, playing Zeus on the Disney+ show.

Meanwhile, the future of Reeves in the John Wick franchise remains unclear as Lionsgate develops John Wick 5, which they announced last May. Though Lionsgate insists the upcoming sequel won’t happen without Reeves, Stahelski cast doubt on whether Reeves would return, previously hinting Chapter 4 may be the final stop for Wick.

Stahelski recently confirmed the John Wick franchise will expand, with multiple planned spinoff shows and an anime series being planned while John Wick 5 takes shape.