Why is John Wick in Payday?

John Wick was added to the game as part of a cross-promotion deal with Lionsgate Studios to promote the 2014 film, John Wick, and he appeared in Payday 2 as part of free tie-in content and later on the John Wick Heists DLC. This integration brought the retired assassin into the world of Payday, allowing players to experience the John Wick character within the game’s universe.

Introduction to John Wick in Payday

Background and Integration

The inclusion of John Wick in Payday 2 was a strategic move to capitalize on the popularity of the John Wick film series, introducing the character to a new audience and expanding the Payday universe. This crossover content enabled players to engage with John Wick in a new context, combining the action-packed elements of the films with the cooperative gameplay of Payday 2.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

1. What is John Wick’s actual job?: John Wick is a retired assassin who returns to his old ways after a group of Russian gangsters steal his car and kill a puppy gifted to him by his late wife Helen.
2. Is John Wick Winston’s son?: In John Wick: Chapter 4, Winston refers to John Wick as “my son” while saying goodbye to him in Russian at John’s grave, though it’s unclear if this is meant to be literal or a term of affection.
3. Why is Jacket in PAYDAY 2?: With the release of the FBI Files, Jacket has been heavily implied to be a canon part of the PAYDAY universe, possibly as a separate individual inspired by the character’s MO.
4. Is John Wick canon in PAYDAY 2?: John Wick is the same from the movies, and the movies and Payday are in the same universe, as confirmed by Overkill in a stream.
5. Is Jacket in Payday canon?: While Jacket is canon, his canonicity had been previously debated, with theories suggesting he might be an imposter inspired by Hotline Miami.

John Wick and Payday Universe

6. Is Payday part of the John Wick universe?: John Wick is the same from the movies, and the movies and Payday are in the same universe, with Overkill confirming Scarface is an imposter.
7. Does everyone respect John Wick?: Everybody knows John Wick, from beat cops and mechanics to club bouncers and hotel concierges, because he’s inherently a good man.
8. Why does nobody help John Wick?: Mr. Nobody‘s motivation to kill John Wick is solely to collect the highest bounty, and he respects John Wick enough to keep him alive, ultimately helping him in the end.

Characters and Backstory

9. Who is Mr. Nobody in John Wick 4?: The Mr. Nobody character is played by Shamier Anderson in John Wick: Chapter 4, and he has also appeared in movies like Awake, Destroyer, Bruised, and Race.
10. Who is Zero in John Wick?: Zero is played by Mark Dacascos in John Wick 3, and he may look familiar to fans of other films and TV shows.
11. Why did Winston call John Wick son?: Winston‘s “son” line could be figurative, or a sign that Winston thought of John like a son, with suspicions arising due to the language and context.

Plot and Sequels

12. Could John Wick survive that fall?: John Wick 3 explained that the titular assassin was still alive after the fall from The Continental’s terrace, and The Bowery King gave him shelter and a place to heal.
13. Is John Wick unkillable?: Despite being a feared hitman, John Wick finally keels over after being shot by Caine (Donnie Yen) several times in the final duel of John Wick: Chapter 4.
14. Is John Wick 5 confirmed?: John Wick 5 was confirmed to be in early development in May 2023, but the director Stahelski expressed uncertainty about the project’s future.
15. Who can beat John Wick?: John Wick is highly skilled and deadly, but he is not invulnerable and can be defeated by other skilled assassins, such as Vincent, El Mariachi, and Léon, who possess unique advantages and abilities.