 Alfie Allen as Iosef Tarasov
She’s cold, heartless, conniving, badass and I think that she
The arrogant, entitled and foolish son of Viggo Tarasov. [35][36] Allen found
it "invigorating" to play a Russian villain and shoot outside of Game of
Thrones's Belfast set,[37] and on accepting the role of Iosef, he was
attracted by the idea of speaking with a different accent, i.e. the New
York accent, as well as citing both Stahelski and Leitch's involvement
as an incentive for drawing him to the piece.[38] While in New York, Allen
visited Russian public baths to develop and hone the Russian
accent to which he developed for the film. [38] Regarding the inspiration
for the character of Iosef, Allen stated, "I guess, I found the relationship
between [my character] and his father, and there was a backstory
about the mother that I found quite interesting [...] Of the challenges he
faced learning the Russian language, he remarked, "learning the
Russian was pretty tough".[38] On the character of Iosef, Kolstad
described him as, "a dinner-theater version of his father. Iosef is a rich
kid who imagines himself a tough guy; but without his father’s muscle,
he’s a punk. In his mind, he has the scars of battle. But the reality is
he’s one spoiled kid." [19] Kolstad spoke of Allen's admiration for his to-
be colleagues, which charmed the writer, stating as follows, "When we
had the first cast-and-crew dinner, I was talking with Alfie and suddenly
he just froze. He just said, ‘Oh my god! It’s Willem Dafoe.’ He’s a great
actor, but he’s also a fan like everybody else." [19] Allen spoke of his
fellow actor Reeves with both respect and praise, stating, "He's
amazing. He's such a great guy. He's a very giving, generous actor as
well and just kind of relaxes you on set. If you're nervous, he just kind
of chills you out. You know I didn't know that he was a director before I
started this. He's made a documentary about encouraging people to
make films. I think that's fantastic." [39] Asked on what he hopes the
audience take away from the film, Allen said, "It’s kind of a crazy love
story in there somewhere. It’s not like any other love story I’ve seen. I
think the theme [...], is that, all men can change. And who is the bad
guy in it, really?" [38]
 Adrianne Palicki as Ms. Perkins
A distinguished female contract killer in the world of assassins, and a
former acquaintance of John.[40][41] About the character of Ms. Perkins,
Palicki said, "Ms. Perkins is what you think the quintessential assassin
would be.
has fun with what she does. She enjoys it. I think that she’d clearly do it
for a dollar. Ultimately in the film she’s doing it for four million, so it’s a
little different." [42] Originally the character of Perkins was envisioned as
a man in the original scenario, but the decision was reversed during a
brainstorming session and the desire to create "an authentic female
action character." Leitch stated, "You believe this woman could come
in and give John Wick a run for his money," so Stahelski, Leitch and
Iwanyk changed it and offered the role to Adrianne. [19] Palicki spoke
most highly of working with Reeves and the inclusion of stunt work on
her part, stating, "Chad wanted to make sure I would be willing to do
my own stuff in the huge fight sequence that I have with Keanu—and I
was all game." Palicki spent months of training
learning Judo and Jujutsu.[43] After the film's release Palicki revealed
background information, "I also think we talked about a backstory. It’s
likely [Ms. Perkins and Wick] had a history as well, pre his marriage.
She may have a personal vendetta as well as the money. I think
there’s an enjoyment on multiple levels." [44] On what she hopes for with
regard to the fan response, "It’s a lot of fun. They’re going to want to
see what happens next. Most importantly, I hope they’re rooting for
John Wick the way that I did when I read the script." [19][45]
 Bridget Moynahan as Helen Wick
The beautiful wife of John Wick.[46] On the character of Helen, Leitch
stated, "Helen’s the crux of the movie, so to have an actress like
Bridget come on board in such an important role was gratifying. She’s
got an elegance that is captivating." Leitch spoke very highly of
Bridget's acting talents and when cast in the role of John's wife she
decided not to read the screenplay, believing that the limited amount of
information would serve the story well. Moynahan stated, "There was a
large portion of the story that I didn’t want to be informed about. I didn’t
want or need to know that side of John. Helen brought love and light
and joy into his life. Knowing the other side of it would make it a
different story for me." [18][19] Iwanyk shared Moynahan's sentiments,
adding, "Helen probably thought John had some skeletons in his
closet, but it wasn’t important. All we know as an audience is that the
moment he met her, he became a different person. Love changed
him." [47]
 Dean Winters as Avi, Viggo's right hand, the second in
command, who has been Viggo's lawyer for many years.[48] On
the role of Avi, Stahelski stated, "As the part was written, he
was just Viggo’s lawyer. But then Dean came in and made it
funny and edgy. The scenes between him and Michael
Nyqvist are some of my favorites." Winters spoke most highly
of his colleagues on set, stating, "I got to work with Willem
Dafoe and Keanu Reeves. We’ve got John Leguizamo,
Michael Nyqvist and Bridget Moynahan. I mean, it’s a really
good cast and I got a front-row seat." [18][19] Additionally Winters
praised Stahelski and Leitch's use of real sets in the action
sequences sans the involvement of green screen and special
effects, adding, "Their stunt and action experience paid off."
Winters stated, "It was like a front row seat to watching just
incredible, incredible filmmaking," adding, "This was just
straight up in your face, not computerized, old school stunts. I
really felt like I was in the front row of like a master class." [49]
 Ian McShane as Winston
The enigmatic owner of the Continential Hotel.[50][51] About the character
of Winston, McShane said, "Winston is mysterious and enigmatic." He
took the role due to his curiosity on the possibilities of the character, as
well as his fondness for modern noir films.[19] Writer Kolstad stated,
"[Winston] doesn’t say a lot, but when he does, the earth moves. If
John and Viggo are the gods of New York, Winston is the titan." On the
film itself, McShane added, "The writing, the acting and the visuals all
have a mythical quality. And every character has an important part to
play in a puzzle that comes together gradually." [52]
 John Leguizamo as Aurelio
The proud business owner of Aurelio's Garage, a high-end chop shop.
[53][54]
 About the character Aurelio, Leguizamo stated, "When a Russian
mobster’s son shows up with John Wick’s car, I know there’s going to
be trouble. I’m going to have a problem either with the Russian
mobster or with John Wick, but I’m not going to win either
way." [19] Leguizamo believed that the costume design of the character
created a big boost, and had a great impression on the actor, with him
stating, "Mine is pretty slick, and that adds a lot of character. I’m
walking through the set and all of a sudden I start feeling a little cocky,
like I’m somebody. It all helps." [55]
 Willem Dafoe as Marcus
A member of the old guard of assassins who is battle hardened,
reliable and amongst the elite.[56][57] About the character of Marcus,
Dafoe said, "Marcus is an assassin on a very high level. It’s clear that
he and [John] have a history and he’s something of a mentor to him.
They’re friends, but it’s a friendship that was made in a very dark
world." [19] Of Marcus' psychology he said, "He seems pragmatic; he
seems fatalistic, which you would have to be in that line of work. "
Writer Kolstad stated, "Marcus is a father figure. But he’s a father in the
sense that he’s the king of the pride. When a new lion takes over a
pride, he slaughters all the cubs. Marcus is that guy." On taking the
role, Dafoe was very impressed with "leanness" of Kolstad's original
screenplay, to which he stated, "The story is expressed mostly in
action. That seemed to work well with Chad and David’s history." He
praised the "enthusiasm, freshness and eagerness" displayed by both
Stahelski and Leitch within the filmmaking process.[58] Dafoe said that
the screenplay and overall project caters to his "particularity that makes
them feel special" and the character-driven nature within the setting
of New York City wasn't "something that I haven’t really experienced."
and additionally the chance of working with Keanu on the piece. [59] On
the style of directors Stahelski and Leitch, Dafoe stated, "[...] style is
reminiscent of John Woo's signature gun fu combat. The action is a
real nice mix of martial arts and gunplay — you have the grace of
martial arts, but then the bang of the gun." [60] as well adding, "The
choreography isn't the same old, same old, or built around set pieces
or a gag. It's really integrated into the story. [Stahelski and Leitch], they
aren't just stunt people, they're filmmakers." [61]
David Patrick Kelly as Charlie, the “cleaner”; Randall
Duk Kim, playing a doctor with a select
clientele; Lance Reddick, Charon, a concierge at The
Continental Hotel, who always seems to know what
the client needs. Munro M. Bonnell as a Catholic
priest who protects the vault where Viggo stores his
valuables.[62] Omer Barnea playing Gregori and Toby
Leonard Moore playing Victor, Iosef's friends and
bodyguards;[62] Matt McColm as a club goon;[63] Daniel
Be