As of the John Wick Chapter 4, the legends of John Wick have been concluded. However, based on the John Wick universe, there are prequels and sequels that are expected. Thus, the John Wick universe hasn’t stopped expanding and their special information to note if we were to appreciate upcoming series of the John Wick universe.
Brief explanation of European and Chinese ranks of nobility
Aristocracy ranks differ from each culture, however as China’s civil systems have largely affected East and South-eastern Asia so in many Asian countries, Chinese ranks of nobility were inferred to explain the European rank of nobility.
The main antagonist of John Wick Chapter 4, Vincent De Gramont is a noble ranked as a Marquis who was given all possible resources to eliminate John Wick.
‘Marquis’ is often explained as ‘侯’ in a Chinese noble rank in Asian countries. The Chinese Feudal system had the ‘wujue’ (五爵) which had a distinctive 5 rank system from gong(公 / often as duke)-hou(侯 / often as marquis)-bo(伯 / often as earl or count)-zi(子 / often as viscount) to nan(男 / often as baron).
Unlike the Chinese noble system, there isn’t a very distinctive outranking nobility in the European nobility system (although in general there is) so depending on which culture one is from, there might be confusion caused by the different nobility ranking.
For example, could be the Duke Leto Atreides rivaling Baron Vladimir Harkonnen in the Dune series. As the title of ‘duke’ or ‘baron’ might differ from each culture, in context, there isn’t a distinctive rank but for Eastern Asian countries, it might feel that the house Harkonnen intermittently have a much lower status than House Atreidies as these countries is used to the definitely distinctive ranking system.
The rank of ‘marquis’ or ‘marquess’ is a nobility rank that descended from the French word ‘ Marchis’ which means ‘leader of a border region’. In general, the rank of ‘Marquis’ would refer to ‘a count located at a strategically important region such as the borders or of high military importance’.
Thus, in general, the rank of ‘Marquis’ is considered higher than a ‘count’ as they are nobles who rule the lands of great importance for the stake of the state or country.
Considering that Marquis Vincent De Gramont was given a task by the High Table to punish the New York Continental Hotel and hunt down John Wick, the title ‘Marquis’ suits his character in all means.
The music that Cane’s daughter was playing – Nocturne No.20 in C# minor by Frédéric François Chopin
Cane was a friend of John Wick but bound to obey the orders of the High Table and Marquis De Gramont probably because of his daughter’s stake. Cane observed his daughter from a distance while his daughter was playing the violin.
The music that Cane’s daughter was playing was Nocturne No.20 in C# minor made by Chopin, the poet of music. Nocturne is originally a term that derived from the Roman Catholic Church which it is a time when people pray during the middle of the night.
This started to become the origins of the genre Nocturne where composers started to refer ‘music that portrays night’. Composers started to compose many piano solos or music usually played indoors as Nocturnes.
The religion of John Wick and the Ruska Roma – Eastern Orthodox Church
The churches of the Ruska Roma or Russian occupied territories aren’t just a reference invented for filming. The symbol of the Ruska Roma is not a movie original symbol but it is a symbol of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
From the churches of the Tarasov families since John Wick Chapter 1 to the Ruska Roma Berlin church, all of these were a part of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
From Greece, Eastern European countries, Central Asia and Russia, the Eastern Orthodox Church is the most prevalent religion.
The Eastern Orthodox Church may be unfamiliar with some cultures but in fact it is one of the eldest Christian religions that has existed along with the Roman Catholic Church.
Due to the conflicts within the Catholic church due to the Great Movement of the Germanic people, establishment of the Francia, and the agglutination of Francia and the Church etc, the church divided into the Catholic (Roman Catholic Church) and the Eastern Orthodox Church. This is called the Great Schism.
The Eastern Orthodox Church would establish on Constantinople while the Catholic Church would establish on Rome.
The Eastern Orthodox Church has influenced Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Greece and Russia.
The Ruska Roma also accepts the Eastern Orthodox Church which is why some of the scenes would be unfamiliar for those who attend church or from cultures where it is rare to find Eastern Orthodox churches.
Such is Life – Winston’s lines – Ned Kelly
During John Wick Chapter 4, Winston comments ‘Such is Life’ which is known as the final words of the infamous outlaw of Australia Ned Kelly (Edward Kelly).
Edward Kelly who is most known as Ned Kelly was a British prisoner that was relocated to Australia but escaped during his translocation.
Ned Kelly would become what is known as a bush ranger which is an outlaw that would hide in ‘bushes’ in Australia. Ned Kelly would gang up with several members and would hoist several armed robberies and even kill policemen.
Folk lore that Ned Kelly would only assault the rich while provide kindness to the hostages while he himself was a framed criminal made him a ‘robin hood’ to the public of Australia. Ned Kelly would form the ‘Kelly Gang’ bush ranger gang and commit even more crimes and became an infamous outlaw.
Eventually, he was caught during one of his hoists. The press that interviewed Ned Kelly before his death reported that Ned Kelly left his last words ‘Such is Life’ which isn’t confirmed whether it is true or not.
However, his simple last words that summarized his rough life were phenomenal just how John Wick’s brief return to the criminal world was.
I am Klaus – The guard of the Berghain(The club in John Wick 4 where Killa Harkan was in)
With only 4 repeats of the lines ‘I am Klaus’, Svven Marquardt was surely a scene steeler in John Wick Chapter 4.
Sven Marquardt is known as the owner/guard of the Berghain which was the club that John Wick Chapter 4 was filmed where John Wick took his revenge for Rusk Roma on Killa Harkan.
The Berghain is known as the most difficult club in the world to enter as there were many famous incidents with Sven Marquardt himself.
Sven Marquardt himself became a meme as he halted celebrities such as Elon Musk with one simple word ‘Nein’ which means ‘no’ and Elon Musk would make a tweet on the Berghain.
Aces & Eights – Deadman’s hand
Cards with the clover ace, spade ace, clover eight, spade eight included (the rest of the pairs don’t matter) is called a ‘Deadman’s Hand’.
Killa Harkan gives John Wick these pairs as a declaration that he shall try to kill John Wick which he fails. This Deadman’s hand originates from a famous marshal and law keeper Billy Hickock during the era around the Civil War.
Billy Hickock was a famed and skilled gunslinger and law keeper but stories say that once he had this Deadman’s hand with a clover ace, spade ace, clover eight and spade eight that he lost a gunfight and died.
This made this special combination of cards the Deadman’s Hand.
Katia – Natalia Tina
The role of Katia who was the succeeding leader of the Ruska Roma was acted by Natalia Tina. Natalia Tina is a British actress who takes part of Katia after Pyotr was murdered.
Natalia tina premiered in the Game of Throne television series as Osha who was the protector of Bran Stark. Probably the most famous role that Natalia Tina took would be Nymphadora Tonks in the Harry Potter movie series.
Nymphadora Tonks was the wife of Remus Lupin and she was one of the most skilled witches in the Order of Phoenix as well. The Twi'lek Xi'an in the Mandaloiran series was also played by her.
Dragon Breath Ammunition
Many people might have thought that John Wick Chapter 4 may have gone too far with the shot gun shells that would burst with flames. However, this is a real-life ammunition used and it is actually called ‘dragon breath’ as its trajectory is similar as if a dragon was releasing flames.
Dragon breath ammunition is usually a 12 guage shot gun shell(12 gauge = 18.5mm, it is the diameter of the shell)
Dragon breath consists of magnesium compounds which would cause a heat and flame combustion in a shot amount of time. This debris of this ammunition once fired will incinerate and arson objects.
Louvre Museum – Filming location where Vincent De Gramont and Winston meets
After John Wick redeems himself within the Ruska Roma, Winston makes a visit to Marquis Vincent De Gramont. The filming location was the famous Louvre Museum at France.
The art piece that Marquis Vincent De Gramont was glazing was ‘Liberty Leading the People’ (La Liberté guidant le people). Eugene Delacorix drew this masterpiece as he was inspired by the July Revolution or the French Revolution.
It may have depicted how the existence of John Wick was troublesome as if he was the goddess of liberty leading the people against the High Table and refer to John Wick’s struggle for freedom as well.
It might have been what Vincent De Gramont was dreaming as a liberator of the High Table from the troubles of John Wick.
Winston and Marquis De Gramont make another debate in front of the art piece ‘The raft of the Medusa’. ‘The raft of the Medusa’ or ‘géricault le radeau de la méduse’ is an artpiece drawn by Theodore Gericault which depicted the moment the survivors of the ‘Medusa’ on a raft were saved.
The story is that the Medusa is sunk and the survivors were struggling for survival and they are saved by a passing by ship. This might foresee that John Wick’s final moments are also coming to an end.
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris (Sacré-Cœur Basilica)
The Basilica of Sacre Couer was the filming location for John Wick’s final duel. The Basilica of Sacr-Couer was constructed after the French were defeated by Preussen during the Franco-Prussian War.
Preussen was the leading state-country of the unification of Germany and an important military-state and center of Germany history. Preussen and Germany would gain power to form the 2nd German Empire.
The Basilica of Scare Couer was built in Byzantine style(which is Eastern Roman Empire style, thus it has close relations with the Eastern Orthodox Church which might be why John Wick chose this place as the final duel location) and right before it is the stairware of Montmartre where John Wick would roll over and over again.
The body count of John Wick Chapter 4
The estimated body count of John Wick Chapter 4 which John Wick killed by himself is 140 people. John Wick Chapter 4 is 169 minutes long which is the longest running time for the cinema series.
This means that in average, every 1 minute and 20 seconds, a person is killed by John Wick on John Wick Chapter 4.
