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Movies & TV

09th Jul 2018

Keanu Reeves explains the meaning behind the Latin title for John Wick 3

Wil Jones

The John Wick movies are the gift we don’t deserve.

With the current blockbuster landscape dominated by bloated superhero movies and regurgitated IPs, John Wick and its sequel have been exactly what we need: a short, sharp shot of unironic action movie goodness. The combination of clean, clearly shot action, unique worldbuilding and Keanu Reeve’s effortless cool have made them modern cult classics.

After John Wick: Chapter 2 ended on a cliffhanger, fans are eagerly awaiting what happens next. There is a spin-off TV series entitled The Continental in the works, focusing on the mysterious hotel that the assassins hang out at.

But what we’re really waiting for, of course, is John Wick: Chapter 3.

Only it won’t be called that – we now know the official title, thanks to Wick himself, Keanu Reeves.

In an interview with Coming Soon, Reeves confirmed the title: John Wick 3: Parabellum.

But what the hell does ‘Parabellum’ mean? Reeves explained:

“Prepare for war. It’s part of that famous sentence, ‘Si vis pacem, para bellum,’ which translates as, ‘If you want peace, prepare for war.'”

Which basically sums up the John Wick movies pretty well – John just wants to chill with his dog in his impeccably minimalist house, but first, he’s gonna have to several massive shootouts.

Joining Reeves in John Wick 3: Parabellum’s absolutely stacked cast are Halle Berry, Ian McShane, Ruby Rose, Common, Laurence Fishburn, Anjelica Huston, Mark Dacascos and Jason Mantzoukas.

It is due out in May next year.

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