The future of John Wick: Chapter 5 is uncertain, especially given the events of John Wick 4, but the prolific dog-loving hitman could still return. John Wick: Chapter 4 was seen by many as a highlight of the franchise with audiences and critics praising the action while also being surprised by the conclusion that suggested the series could be over. However, there has been some John Wick 5 news since the release of the fourth film that hints there could be more John Wick adventures to come.
The John Wick franchise was a huge surprise that few saw coming. The first installment was a fun and wild action movie that restarted Keanu Reeves’ action career thanks to its sleeper hit status. From there, each sequel has built on the mythology of the world in which these movies take place while solidifying John Wick himself as one of the greatest action characters of all time. John Wick: Chapter 4 saw him attempting to finally clear his business with the High Table and finally find peace. Sadly, the peace is short-lived as John seemingly dies moments after his victory. Nonetheless, John Wick 5 news is determined to keep the franchise alive for at least one more chapter.
John Wick: Chapter 5 – Latest News
The latest John Wick: Chapter 5 news gives some indication about how Keanu Reeves feels about a possible John Wick 5. Director Chad Stahelski was asked about Reeves possibly returning to the iconic role for a new John Wick adventure following the massive success of John Wick: Chapter 4. Stahelski indicated that Reeves was enthusiastic about doing John Wick 5, but that no one was in a rush to jump back into the franchise. He explained, “Keanu, if you ask him right now, ‘Would you do John Wick 5?’ He’d be, ‘f–k yeah’. But then he’d look and go, ‘Well, what is it? I have no f–king idea.'” He went on to clarify, “It’s not like, ‘We’re going to figure it out today.’ Like, look man, we’re going to do our other stuff for a little bit.”
It is understandable that everyone involved with the franchise would be keen to explore some other projects at this point rather than return straight away for John Wick: Chapter 5. Stahelski has only directed John Wick movies since his filmmaker career began though he is now attached to make projects outside of the John Wick universe. However, Stahelski also confirmed that he there is a possibility of the franchise continuing if the right idea forms and that Reeves would be a big part of that decision, saying “if I was driving in the car or if I was walking the dog and an idea hit me, within 30 seconds I’d be on the phone to Keanu and we’d be riffing.”
John Wick: Chapter 5 Is Confirmed
John Wick: Chapter 5 is confirmed to be in development despite the ending to John Wick: Chapter 4. The announcement came shortly after the fourth movie’s release with Lionsgate Motion Picture Group president Joe Drake revealing that they would begin working on ideas for the next installment. Drake suggested that the ending of John Wick: Chapter 4 could be interpreted in various ways, and it is not necessarily the definitive conclusion it might seem to be. However, he acknowledged that “Keanu and Chad, rightly so, are very protective about never screwing with the audience. So we certainly have our work cut out for us” while also adding that “there’s no guarantee.”
However, when discussing the future of the John Wick franchise and John Wick 5 a couple of months later, Drake seemed far more positive that John Wick: Chapter 5 was happening. The various spinoffs like the movie Ballerina and the TV show The Continental are on the horizon while there are other planned projects within this universe, including John Wick: Chapter 5. Drake went on to suggest that the spinoff stories would help to plant the seeds for a fifth chapter, saying “we’re building out the world and when that five movie comes, will be organic — will be organically grown out of how we’re starting to tell those stories.” Despite the development, there is no news on a John Wick: Chapter 5 release date.
John Wick: Chapter 5 Cast
The John Wick 5 cast would need to have Keanu Reeves returning to star in the title role. Reeves was a huge star before this franchise came along with The Matrix movies, Speed and Point Break cementing him as a 90s action hero. However, John Wick may be his most beloved character at this point and it is impossible to imagine the franchise continuing on without him back. Reeves also seems to know the fan passion for the franchise cannot be taken lightly.
Reeves addressed John Wick: Chapter 5 possibilities, saying “You have to see how the audience responds to what we did. The only reason we’ve had a chance to make these movies is that people have liked what we have done. So I think we have to wait and see how the audience responds to it.” Clearly, the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, but it still leaves the question of whether it was a satisfying end for fans or if they want to see more.
If Reeves does choose to return for John Wick 5, there are some other characters from the franchise who could return as well. John Wick: Chapter 4 ends with Winston and Bowler King visiting John’s grave, expressing uncertainty if he is really gone, suggesting one of both of them could have helped fake his death. John also made two new allies in the fourth movie with Donnie Yen’s Cain and Shamier Anderson’s Tracker who could be back. Also, with Reeves appearing in the Ballerina spinoff, that movie’s star Ana de Armas could appear in John Wick: Chapter 4 as well.
John Wick: Chapter 5 Story
There have not been any John Wick: Chapter 5 story details have been revealed, and it will certainly be a difficult thing to bring the character back after his fitting death. There are a lot of questions about how this could happen, but one of the main questions being asked is if John Wick 5 is worth it. The John Wick franchise is on an incredible winning streak with only the likes of Mission: Impossible seeming to get better with each new installment. Each sequel has delivered what fans expect while also telling a worthwhile expansion of the story. However, as many franchises before have shown, knowing when to quit is essential to a franchise’s legacy.
It also virtually ensures the franchise won’t be able to end satisfyingly. John dying as he accomplishes his impossible mission is a fitting end. Bringing him back means that killing him off a second time would be cheap, and it is hard to imagine another ending being as effective. However, it can also not be forgotten that the John Wick franchise has defied the odds from the beginning. It went from a small action movie to one of the best action franchises of all time, so there is no telling how the franchise would up-end expectations by bringing John back from the dead.
It is also understandable that the studio doesn’t want to bid farewell to the John Wick movie after John Wick: Chapter 4 was such a huge hit. However, the franchise lives on through the John Wick spinoff movies and shows. Ballerina will be an action thriller starring Ana de Armas as an operative inside the ballerina organization shown in John Wick: Chapter 3. Meanwhile, The Continental is a prequel series looking at a young Winston as he operates the titular hotel. Though these spinoffs will have to stand on their own without John Wick as a protagonist, focusing on their success would secure a bright future beyond John Wick: Chapter 5.
