The John Wick films are known for featuring legendary action stars, but Scott Adkins is easily the most overlooked standout in the series. This acclaimed franchise began with the story of its titular hitman, played by Keanu Reeves, who was forced out of retirement on a quest to seek revenge against the men who killed his dog, which was the final gift he received from his deceased wife. As the series continued, it gathered an increasingly impressive roster of action stars, including Hiroyuki Sanada, Mark Dacascos, and Donnie Yen.

While John Wick has faced fearsome foes throughout the franchise, audiences should not underestimate the skills Adkins brought to the Table.

Scott Adkins Played Killa Harkan In John Wick: Chapter 4

The Head Of The German Branch Of The High Table

After coming up against the powerful Russian mob boss Viggo Tarasov in John Wick, the Italian High Table member Santino D’Antonio in Chapter 2, and the ninja assassin Zero in Chapter 3 – Parabellum, Scott Adkins ed the series as Killa Harkan in Chapter 4. Killa was the head of the German branch of The High Table and a mob boss in Berlin who operated the Himmel und Hölle nightclub.

As a key figure in the European criminal underworld, Killa was a cunning and bigoted personality. As viewers, we first encounter Killa in John Wick: Chapter 4 after John is tasked with assassinating him in order to get re-inducted into the Ruska Roma, the Romani criminal organization that holds a seat at the High Table. To gain access to Killa, John allowed himself to be beaten by the Ruska Roma member Klaus and infiltrated his offices at the Himmel und Hölle.

Killa enjoyed toying with his adversaries and even forced John Wick, Caine, and Mr. Nobody into a game of poker to decide who would kill John and claim the bounty on his head. As a gluttonous and prejudiced figure, despite his heavyset build, Killa also exhibited extreme strength and even overpowered John on occasion. However, despite the wealth, power, and litany of mobsters at his disposal, Killa was eventually killed by John after being kicked over a ledge onto stairs, cracking his neck on the ground, and having his gold tooth removed as proof of his death.

Scott Adkins Is A Veteran Of Action Movies

Adkins Has Been A Key Figure In Action Movies For More Than 20 Years

While plenty of viewers likely first discovered Scott Adkins from his role in John Wick: Chapter 4, he’s actually had a long and fruitful career in action movies for the past two decades. With his breakout role being the Russian prison fighter Yuri Boyka in Undisputed II: Last Man Standing from 2006, Adkins quickly proved himself a capable and talented action movie star. Adkins reprised his role as Yuri in the sequels Undisputed III: Redemption and Boyka: Undisputed, but this was just the tip of the iceberg for this underrated action star.

Scott Adkins won the Jackie Chan Action Movie Award for Best Action Movie Actor for his role in Boyka: Undisputed (2017).

Following Adkins's success with the Undisputed series, he gained his first leading role in Ninja from 2009, which told the story of an American orphan adopted into a dojo in Japan who must travel to New York to protect ancient weapons. This opened the door to Adkins ing all-time great action stars in Sylvester Stallone’s The Expendables 2 and gaining a major role in the political action thriller Zero Dark Thirty. While Adkins has not yet become a household name in the same way as some of his contemporaries, he’s carved out an impressive career over the years.

Adkins is also no stranger to major franchises, as he appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe playing Lucian Aster in Doctor Strange, as well as portraying Wade Wilson/Weapon XI in archive footage from X-Men Origins: Wolverine that was used in Deadpool & Wolverine. With so many impressive movies to his name, despite not gaining mainstream recognition, Adkins has been a veteran of action movies for a long time.

Some Of The Best Modern Fight Scenes Involve Scott Adkins

Adkins Has The Martial Arts Skills Needed To Deliver Incredible Fight Scenes

As an actor who got his start in Hong Kong martial arts films, Adkins has the skills needed to pull off extraordinary fight sequences where he utilizes his skills in judo, kickboxing, capoeira, Krav Maga, Jeet Kune Do, Wushu, and more. Having gained his black belt in taekwondo at age 19 (via Kung Fu Kingdom), Adkins genuinely has the talent to pull off the complex fighting choreography of his movies. From facing off against John Wick as Killa Harkan to taking down the Ozerov Twins in Boyka: Undisputed, Adkins' best fight scenes are truly legendary.

One underseen film that captures Adkins’ incredible talent beautifully was One Shot, a fast-paced action thriller that appeared as if it was shot in one continuous take. As the elite NAVY SEAL Jake Harris, Adkins fought his way through a deadly transport mission while taking out hordes of insurgents in the process. As if this outstanding showcase of pure athleticism wasn’t enough, Adkins even returned for the sequel One More Shot in 2024, which delivered more fast-paced action movie carnage.

Adkins’ career has had many different dimensions to it over the years, and he’s carved out a niche for himself as one of the most skilled and proficient stars of his generation. From martial arts tournament films like the Undisputed series, mainstream action movies like John Wick, and even direct-to-video favorites such as the One Shot series, Adkins has consistently kept the quality of his work high and consistently leaves viewers in awe with stunning fight scenes. While Scott Adkins may not be the most well-known action star working today, his appeal extends far beyond just the John Wick franchise.

Source: Kung Fu Kingdom