Crafting Unforgettable Action: The Director’s…

It’s always a delight when two artists who hold mutual respect for one another come together for a collaboration. Such was the case when anime maestro Shinichirō Watanabe reached out to Chad Stahelski, director of the John Wick franchise. Watanabe sought some guidance in action design for his forthcoming anime, Lazarus, and Stahelski’s enthusiastic reply was surprising.

“Forget that, I’ll handle it,” he recalled during a video interview with Polygon.

This surprised Watanabe, who pointed out that his project didn’t have the financial capability to hire a prominent Hollywood team for the action sequences. However, Stahelski assured him to not fret over the budget, driven by his long-standing admiration for Watanabe’s work. The only thing Stahelski requested was to be heavily involved in the creative process. Watanabe’s Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo have been significant influences on Stahelski’s own style, making this an excellent opportunity to collaborate closely with a fellow creator he respected.

The sentiment was mutual. Stahelski mentioned that he and Watanabe spent considerable time “geeking out” during their call, asking about each other’s artistic processes before embarking on a year-long creative partnership characterized by ongoing communication and collaboration. The outcome of their efforts is the dynamic action design seen in Lazarus, where the fight and chase sequences align seamlessly with Watanabe’s aesthetic vision.

In a conversation with Polygon, Stahelski shared insights about how the collaboration evolved, the integration of his action style with Watanabe’s vision, and the significance of Watanabe’s work to him. Read the first part of our interview, detailing Stahelski’s passion for anime and his admiration for animators, here.

Polygon: What are your recollections from that initial call to discuss your interest in Lazarus?

Chad Stahelski: I had been in discussions with Joseph Cho, the producer for the project. My interest in animation runs deep—we’re also trying to develop one of our own at the moment. Joseph, who has become a good friend, was aware of my admiration for anime and just so happened to be a producer on Lazarus. During interviews for John Wick, I frequently mention my love for anime, citing influences like Ghost in the Shell,