Unveiling the Intriguing Significance of Chad Stahelski's Role in Lazarus: Everything You Need to Know!

Highlights

The collaboration between anime director Shinichiro Watanabe and director Chad Stahelski on Lazarus has generated excitement among fans of both artists.

Stahelski, renowned for his contributions to John Wick, brings his prowess in action design to Lazarus, despite reservations stemming from his limited background in animation.

Although the action in Lazarus may deviate from Stahelski's prior endeavors, the trailer teases exhilarating combat sequences reminiscent of Watanabe's iconic portrayals, generating excitement for the series.

The collaboration between Shinichiro Watanabe and Chad Stahelski on Lazarus, a new sci-fi action series, has sparked immense excitement. As a director, Stahelski draws inspiration from Watanabe, much like how Watanabe's work in anime reflects his passion for music and cinema. Stahelski's rise to prominence as a stunt actor, particularly as Keanu Reeves' stunt double in The Matrix trilogy, and his subsequent success with John Wick, revolutionized the action genre. Now, he brings his expertise to the world of anime.

A Long Time Coming

The news came as quite a surprise, but the longer the idea of these two collaborating lingers, the more it feels like it was inevitable. When it comes to designing action sequences for movies, Stahelski and his team have always found inspiration from various sources, not just martial arts films, but also anime from the 80s and 90s.

Just last year, John Wick: Chapter 4 made its way to the big screen - the fourth installment of the immensely popular franchise, where Stahelski's influences became clearly evident towards the end. In an interview with ComicBookMovie.com, he openly acknowledged that the ending of Chapter 4 was a direct homage to the conclusion of Cowboy Bebop. John descending the steps of Sacré Coeur in Paris evokes the bittersweet victory of Spike as he emerges from his duel with Vicious.

Understanding Action Design

Throughout the years, there had been discussions about Reeves taking on the role of Spike in a Bebop adaptation. Regrettably, with Reeves showcasing his prowess as an action star in John Wick and proving his mettle, the opportunity came a little too late for him due to age constraints. Nevertheless, although he didn't have the chance to personally portray Spike, he received a heartfelt farewell that captured the essence of the character and left audiences just as content.

Although Stahelski's involvement has received mostly positive feedback, there are understandably some who hesitate to view it as a guaranteed triumph. This hesitation stems from the fact that he is not an animator; instead, he is a director of live-action films and a stunt performer. There exists skepticism regarding the extent of his impact on the show, as anime enthusiasts have witnessed the potential consequences when individuals outside the field of animation become involved.

Yoshikatsu Kimura, primarily known for directing live-action films, took on the daunting task of directing the ill-fated Ex-Arm in 2021. The production team, lacking experience in animation, struggled to deliver visually appealing results, hampering investment in the story. This project was part of the short-lived "Crunchyroll Originals" initiative.

Now, let's swiftly move away from the regrettable reminder of Ex-Arm's existence and refrain from comparing it to Lazarus, which is in a league of its own. It's important to acknowledge that expertise in one medium does not necessarily guarantee success in another (though there are exceptions). Fortunately, this is not the case with Lazarus, as a majority of the staff are skilled animators and Watanabe, not Stahelski, is at the helm.

Stahelski is recognized as the "Action Director" with his studio, 87eleven, responsible for action design. This involves strategizing and conceptualizing fight and stunt sequences in collaboration with the director to bring a specific action vision to life.

In many cases, creative teams employ a technique known as "pre-viz" or pre-visualization, where scenes are filmed on basic sets to establish the choreography of a fight.

The Action of Lazarus

When it comes to live-action, this content can serve as a valuable guide for the cameras to accurately capture the action on the filming day. Similarly, in the world of video games, pre-viz is commonly used for cutscenes, and when it comes to anime, video reference is no stranger when it comes to crafting sequences. Although the specific details are unknown, it is highly likely that Stahelski and his team will develop a pre-viz for MAPPA to utilize as a reference during the animation process.

Do not expect the action in this new anime to be similar to John Wick. Stahelski's fans will notice a difference. While the John Wick films heavily focus on gunplay, the combat in close quarters is notably grounded and gritty, emphasizing judo and jiu-jitsu. Conversely, the action glimpses in the Lazarus trailer appear to be more acrobatic.

Watanabe has a preference for creating thin, confident gymnasts skilled in agile martial arts as protagonists. The assumed protagonist of the story can be seen effortlessly battling guards in a futuristic prison, exuding a similar vibe to Spike Spiegel and displaying a mischievous grin. While there is a hint of excitement, it is too early to determine if the action will meet expectations.

Although not an animator, Stahelski is a highly talented stunt person and director who holds a strong admiration for the animation that has influenced his work. Witnessing his unique vision in a medium that played a significant role in inspiring him is an opportunity not to be missed. Fans will have to patiently await the release of Lazarus on Toonami, expected sometime in 2024, to fully experience Stahelski's creative impact on the entire production.