If you have been following the John Wick franchise since its debut in 2014, then you are already familiar with the role of the titular character played by Keanu Reeves, who used to be a hitman, but he quit and tried to live a normal life. However, some bad guys messed with him and he had to go back to his old ways. Ever since he has been killing a lot of people in the criminal underworld, but he died in the fourth installment, and his grave was shone in the closing scene.
But did he really die? There was a grave plot with his name on it, but we never actually see him die. Knowing his reputation and resilience, he might find a way to come back and continue with his quest for vengeance or redemption.
To this end, a fifth installment (John Wick: Chapter 5) has been announced to be in development by Lionsgate, but there is no certain when it will be released. Additionally, it is unclear if Keanu Reeves will return as John Wick.
There Is No Possible Release Date For John Wick: Chapter 5
Following the positive reviews and commercial success of John Wick: Chapter 4, Lionsgate, the film’s production announced that a fifth installment is being developed. However, there is no official confirmation of the release date at the moment, but it is expected to come out sometime in 2024 or 2025.
John Wick 5 was originally planned to be filmed back-to-back with John Wick 4 in early 2021, but a couple of factors forced the production company to rethink and change its decision to proceed with the fourth installment instead. Firstly, the Covid-19 pandemic which forced the global economy and activities to shut down, affected the production schedule of the two films. Secondly, a creative break was needed between the films, as director Chad Stahelsik and actor Keanu Reeves wanted to come up with fresh ideas for the sequel and avoid repeating ideas. The director said he and Reeves would drink whiskey together in Japan and brainstorm.
A Look Into What John Wick 5 Will Give Movie Lovers
Before delving into the possible outcome of the fifth installment, it is gratifying how the franchise has kept fans and critics on the edge of their toes, eagerly awaiting what the next will bring. Let’s appreciate how this feat has been achieved in the 4 films so far.
The first movie introduces John Wick, a retired hitman who loses his wife to an illness. He goes back to his old ways when Russian gangsters kill his dog and steal his car. In the second movie, he has to kill someone he doesn’t want to, because of a debt from his past. He is betrayed and becomes a target for other killers. In the third movie, he fights for his survival and freedom after breaking a rule of the criminal underworld. The fourth movie continues his struggle against the powerful High Table Global.
It Is Unclear If Keanu Reeves Will Reprise His Role As John Wick
John Wick 4 ended with Wick’s tragic death from the gunshot wounds he got in a duel with Caine. His grave plot with his name on it confirmed his demise, but his body was never seen.
As you already, a fifth installment is in the works, but it is uncertain if Keanu Reeves will return as John Wick. What remains clear is that Wick has always defied the odds right from the first installment, even when he was expected to die after being shot by Winston in the third installment, he survived and came back strong. So his death in the fourth might have been faked. It is possible that he is still alive, but it is safer for everyone involved if he is believed to be dead.
Buttressing this, Screenrant suggested that if Reeves decided to play John Wick again other characters from the franchise could return as well. The fourth movie ended with Winston and the Bowery King visiting his grave, unsure if he was really dead. This hinted that they might have helped him fake his death.
The Cast Of John Wick 5
Currently, the cast of the film has not been confirmed yet. This is completely dependent on the plot and direction of the fifth film. The best we can do is bring in some of the characters of the fourth film who could have a role in the sequel. They include Ian McShane as Winston, Laurence Fishburn as The Bowery King, Donnie Yen as Caine, Rina Sawayama as Akira, Shamier Anderson as the Tracker/Mr. Nobody and Natalia Tena as Katia.
These characters survived until the end of John Wick 4. As mentioned, Winston and the Bowery King visited Wick’s grave, but they were not sure if he was really dead. Akira appeared in the post-credits scene, where she was about to attack Caine with a knife as he returned to Paris to see his daughter.
What Would The Plot Center On?
The plot of John Wick 5 will be crucial for maintaining the franchise’s success and popularity since its debut. Currently, the plot is a mystery, as it could explore different aspects of his character and his world.
it is worth noting that Wick’s character makes him a compelling and complex protagonist. Throughout the four films, he was driven by motivation, skills, and a strict code of conduct. His characterization was flawless and his performance was captivating. That’s why the franchise won over so many fans and made almost a billion dollars at the box office.
Besides, faking his own death might have been a way for Wick to escape the High Table and their criminal networks, which was his ultimate goal. But it is also very risky, as someone could discover his secret.
There Is Uncertainty If Reeves Will Return In The Fifth Movie, But He Did In Ballerina, The First Spin-off
Ballerina is an upcoming action thriller film that is a spin-off of the John Wick franchise. It is set between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4 and follows a ballerina assassin named Rooney who seeks revenge against the killers of her family.
The film is directed by Len Wiseman and written by Shay Hatten and Emerald Fennell, based on a story by Hatten.
The film stars Ana de Armas as Rooney, Keanu Reeves as John Wick, and other actors from the main series such as Ian McShane, Lance Reddick, and Anjelica Huston. The film began shooting in November 2022 in Prague and is scheduled to be released on June 7, 2024.