When Taran Butler posted the now famous video of Keanu Reeves training for the film John Wick 2 at his range in 2016, he had no idea it would go viral.
Butler recalled watching it rack up 8 million views on Youtube. “It was one of the best moments of my life, because that was the first time anyone ever’s seen an actor do that,” Butler said of Reeves in the video. “It changed the game. Everybody went nuts over Keanu.”
Then, a number of Hollywood entertainment networks interviewed Reeves about training for John Wick 2 and with Butler. While the interview promoted the film, it also put Butler’s company, Taran Tactical Innovations, or TTI, on the map.
Butler has since worked on more than a dozen big budget films and TV shows as a weapons handler and trainer. What he does so successfully is make “gun play” in major motion pictures accurate.
“I get nuts when I see somebody hold a gun all goofy, or cup and saucer. It drives me nuts,” he said. “It drives everyone nuts.”
Butler credits his attention to detail to his decades-long career competing in 3-gun matches, which require expertise in handling handguns, rifles and shotguns. In 20 plus years, he’s become one of the most decorated 3-gun shooters in the world. With his company and range, he now makes a living training others and modifying weapons for high performance shooting.
TTI currently hires nearly a dozen gunsmiths and shooters. The company is a well respected name in the Second Amendment community. Having his weapons featured in major motion pictures is not only a huge achievement for Butler and his team, but also for the 2A community. It shows guns in a safe, responsible and fun manner.
Butler’s career shows no signs of slowing down. “Every other day I get a text like ‘do you want to work on this movie?’ and I’m like holy crap. That’s going to be awesome. I always wanted to work with these people,” Butler said.
Butler’s latest work can be seen on May 17 in John Wick 3.
James Cameron and Taran Butler. (Photo: Taran Tactical Innovations)
Taran Butler, Halle Berry and Keanu Reeves. (Photo: Taran Tactical Innovations)
Jade Struck, Jon Bernthal, Taran Butler, Amy Robbins, and Jennifer Irene. (Photo: Taran Tactical Innovations)
Keanu Reeves, Taran Butler and Royce Gracie. (Photo: Taran Tactical Innovations)
Taran Butler with the cast of S.W.A.T. – Shemar Moore, Kenny Johnson, Lina Esco, Stephanie Sigman, Jay Harrington and Alex Russell. (Photo: Taran Tactical Innovations)
Danielle Van Dalen, Michelle Rodriguez, Taran Butler, Aaron Taylor-Johnson. (Photo: Taran Tactical Innovations)
Jade Struck, Shamar Moore, Taran Butler, Garrett Dillahunt. (Photo: Taran Tactical Innovations)
Jade Struck, Matt Carriker, Taran Butler, Dion Podgurny, Tom Mayhew and Megan Sweasey. (Photo: Taran Tactical Innovations)
The Taran Tactical STI 2011 Combat Master that will be featured in John Wick 3. (Photo: Ben Philippi / Guns.com)
Jade Struck and Taran Butler. (Photo: Ben Philippi / Guns.com)
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