John Wick Pinball Machine: Pinball Rumour Mill
John Wick Pinball Machine – the next release by Stern Pinball?
In June 2023 Knapp Arcade rumoured that Stern Pinball had the license for, and was in the “early stages” of developing, a John Wick Pinball machine. Nothing substantial has been heard since then. However, John Wick Pinball machine rumours now abound, and an announcement from Stern Pinball is excitedly anticipated, if not fully expected, within the coming months.
A Deadly Hitman Seeking Vengeance
John Wick is an American neo-noir action-thriller film series starring Keanu Reeves as the titular character, a retired but deadly hitman seeking vengeance. The franchise is known for its stylized action sequences, world-building, and Reeves’ performance as the central character.
The series uses a neo-noir aesthetic, with a moody, shadowed visual style and a color palette that emphasizes contrasts, often using neon lighting and saturated colours to enhance the mood and setting. The John Wick franchise has not only redefined action cinema but also established a new standard for choreography and visual style in the genre. So, the perfect, atmospheric, mean and moody, contemporary, action packed theme for a new Pinball machine then!
Overview of the John Wick Series
John Wick (2014): The series begins with the first film, “John Wick,” directed by Chad Stahelski and written by Derek Kolstad. It introduces John Wick, a retired hitman mourning the death of his wife. His peaceful life is disrupted when a Russian gangster steals his car and kills his puppy, a final gift from his deceased wife. Wick’s quest for revenge pulls him back into the underworld of assassins from which he had retired. The film is noted for its inventive action scenes, choreography, and the concept of the Continental Hotel, a neutral ground for assassins.
John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017): The sequel expands the universe, delving deeper into the mythology of the secret world of assassins. Wick is forced out of retirement again by a marker, a binding oath from his past, leading him to Rome to fulfil an assassination. The film escalates the stakes and explores the consequences of Wick’s actions, showcasing more of the series’ signature high-octane action and elaborate fight sequences.
John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019): The third instalment sees Wick on the run after being declared “excommunicado” for breaking the Continental’s rules. With a large bounty on his head, he must fend off assassins from around the globe. The movie further explores the global reach of the assassin’s guild, introducing new characters and locations, and continues the tradition of intense and intricately choreographed action scenes.
John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023): The fourth film in the series continues the saga of John Wick, further escalating the conflicts and delving deeper into the character’s backstory and the expansive world of the series.
John Wick Pinball Machine: Key Elements
A distinctive feature of the John Wick series is its unique world-building, including the Continental Hotel, an international chain of hotels that serve as a neutral territory for criminals and assassins, and the High Table, a council of high-level crime lords. So, basing the John Wick pinball machine at the continental, would be the perfect backdrop.
Other key elements to be included would have to be the elaborate gun-fight scenes, martial arts, and car chases, often referred to as “gun fu” due to the blend of firearms with hand-to-hand combat. These could be brought to life with a well worked combination of ramps, drop targets, bonus shots, bash toys, shakers and even more shakers! And the famous John Wick fight choreography, with its meticulous, long, unbroken takes could be interwoven into the gameplay using Stern’s superb playfield video.
Sound Design
The sound effects in the John Wick film series play a crucial role in enhancing the visceral and immersive experience of the movies. The sound design is meticulously crafted to complement the high-octane action scenes and the neo-noir atmosphere of the films, so a good sound system would also be key to bringing the new John Wick pinball machine to life.
This, complemented with voiceovers from Keanu Reeves as John Wick, Ian McShane as Winston, Lance Reddick as Charon and Laurence Fishburne as The Bowery King would bring the whole ensemble to life.
Keep Watching This Space
So how soon will we see a John Wick Pinball Machine, and when we do, will it be a Stern title?
Keep watching this space…