Jason Constantine dead: John Wick legend dies at 55 after lengthy cancer battle

Jason Constantine, co-president of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, who helped bring the John Wick franchise to screens, has died at home at the age of 55 after a long battle with cancer. The news was confirmed by the studio in a statement. "With his fearless spirit, creative energy and enduring talent relationships, Jason embodied the very best of our studio and our industry. His influence will continue to be felt in many of our most successful franchises," they said.

"His career was built around the principles that a great idea can come from anywhere, a box office triumph is meant to be shared by an entire team and our creative choices need to be bold and daring. We mourn the passing of a highly respected executive, a trusted partner and a cherished friend, and we extend our deepest condolences to his wife Kristin, his three children and his entire family,” they concluded.

The legendary Hollywood executuive was integral in bringing some of the best known movies and franchises to the big screen.

Alongside John Wick he championed the wildly popular Saw horror franchise. He led the studio’s push to acquire it after watching a brief concept short.

He was also involved with The Expendables franchise; Best Picture Oscar winner Crash; Precious, which won two Oscars out of five nominations and Rian Johnson’s Oscar-nominated $312 million global-grossing Knives Out.

Other movies he put his stamp on were the ryan Reynolds and Samuel L Jackson starring worldwide action smash The Hitman’s Bodyguard, Kick Ass, and Rambo: Last Blood.

A lifelong film fan he dabbled in filmmaking himself while studying for his M.F.A in film production.

He wrote and directed the short films For Whom the Wedding Bell Tolls and Ashes, which won the Producers Guild of America Award for best student short film.

When he was promoted to Lionsgate President of Acquisitions and Co-Productions in 2008 , the then co-COO Joe Drake praised his "superb creative instincts" saying he had "an affinity for unique material which generate uncommonly good movies."

He is survived by his wife, Kristin and his sons Lucas, Xander and Nicholas.