Behind the Voice: Coaching Scott Adkins in John Wick: Chapter 4
Working on John Wick: Chapter 4 was a milestone in my coaching career. As the Accent & Dialect Coach on the film, I had the pleasure of helping shape one of its most unforgettable characters—Killa Harkan, played by the brilliant Scott Adkins. With a perfect blend of comedy, menace, and sheer physicality, Killa isn’t just another assassin in the John Wick universe—he’s a scene-stealing villain with a razor-sharp voice to match.
Scott Adkins as Killa: A Bold Transformation
Scott Adkins is widely known for his high-octane martial arts work, but in John Wick 4, he takes a very different turn. Beneath heavy prosthetics and a lavish gold suit, he brings Killa—a flamboyant and deadly member of the German High Table—to life with rich physicality and vocal precision.
Scott stayed in accent even when the cameras stopped rolling, determined to keep the voice consistent throughout long, physically demanding days on set. He approached the character with total commitment—from vocal prep to stunt rehearsals in a fat suit!
Crafting Killa’s Accent
We chose a gritty, Eastern European-influenced German dialect for Killa. The goal was to make him feel slightly “off”—an elegant monster with impeccable diction and unpredictable rhythm. Together, we worked on:
- Consonant control: Hard stops and rolled Rs to add edge and tension
- Vowel placement: German-rooted diphthongs and clipped phrasing
- Pacing: Deliberate, menacing pauses that gave his threats weight
- Character through voice: A tone that could switch from charming to terrifying in a single sentence
Scott’s accent helped to elevate the performance—adding layers of sophistication and unpredictability that grounded his over-the-top appearance in something totally believable.
Directorial Vision & Performance Integration
Director Chad Stahelski envisioned Killa as a mix between Sydney Greenstreet’s character in Casablanca and a Bond villain—charming, grotesque, and lethally precise. The accent was key in blending that inspiration with something new.
“I knew I wanted him to be a Turkish-German guy… I worked very hard on the accent. I stayed in character all day.”
– Scott Adkins, via interviews
From poker table monologues to brutal brawls with Keanu Reeves, the voice never faltered. Even during high-impact choreography with the incredible Jeremy Marinas, the breath control and rhythm we built into the accent held strong.
Audience & Critical Reaction
Viewers were stunned by the transformation—and the voice played a huge part:
“I didn’t even realise it was Scott Adkins until the credits. The voice, the movement—he disappeared into the role.”
“Killa was hilarious and terrifying. The accent made him feel like someone who would smile at you while pulling the trigger.”
Even Keanu Reeves praised Scott’s performance, calling it one of his favourite character moments in the film.
Final Thoughts
This role was a powerful reminder of how much vocal work shapes a character. Scott brought the physicality, but it was the voice that made Killa unforgettable. From accent structure to pacing under pressure, this was accent work at the highest level—and I’m so proud to have been part of it.
If you’re an actor preparing for a role—whether on stage, screen, or set—accent coaching isn’t just about sound. It’s about presence, intention, and performance. And I’m here to help you find your voice in the role, just like Scott did.
Sarah Valentine
Accent & Dialect Coach
