WARNING! This article contains major SPOILERS for John Wick: Chapter 4!Charon’s fate in John Wick: Chapter 4 is an upsetting reminder of reality, as the film premieres shortly after the untimely passing of actor Lance Reddick. While the majority of John Wick: Chapter 4’s characters have died when facing the title assassin, Keanu Reeves’ character has had the support of a few surviving characters throughout the franchise. One such example is Lance Reddick’s Charon, the concierge of the Continental, the right-hand man of Winston, and the backbone of the franchise. Charon is one of the few characters to appear in every single John Wick movie, with Lance Reddick’s role posthumously continuing in the upcoming spinoff Ballerina.
However, real-life and fictional tragedies are intersecting to make Charon’s fate in John Wick: Chapter 4 even more upsetting. Beloved actor Lance Reddick sadly passed away on March 17, 2023 at age 60, coinciding with the eve of John Wick: Chapter 4’s premiere. Star Keanu Reeves and director Chad Stahelski are dedicating the latest John Wick movie to the performer’s memory, with the franchise (and the world) losing one of the most talented actors of his generation. While Charon’s fate was already decided before the actor’s death, Lance Reddick’s posthumous role and his character’s story are a devastating reminder of reality.
How John Wick 4 Reveals Charon’s Passing
Charon dies surprisingly early in John Wick: Chapter 4’s story, with his fate looming over the rest of the film’s events. After John kills the Elder in Morocco, Charon is executed by the order of the Marquis de Gramont as punishment for Winston failing to kill the title assassin in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’s ending. The Adjudicator had warned Winston that there would be devastating consequences if John survived, with the High Table staying true to their word by executing one of the franchise’s most beloved characters.
Charon’s death in John Wick: Chapter 4 isn’t a throwaway event like many characters’ demises, as his fate has a great influence on the dangerous choices made by Winston and John. After Charon’s death, the vengeful and greiving Winston suggests that John challenge the villainous Marquis to a duel. John and Winston’s motivations being based on honoring Charon’s memory is a sad reminder of real life, and makes the character’s fate even more devastating.
John Wick’s Spinoffs Will Continue To Honor Lance Reddick
After John Wick: Chapter 4’s ending, the legacies of both Charon and Lance Reddick will continue to have significant bearings on the franchise. Reddick will have another posthumous appearance in the John Wick spinoff movie Ballerina, which takes place between the events of the third and fourth movies. Since Ballerina had been filming long before Reddick’s passing, it’s presumed that his role as Charon won’t be changed in the Ana de Armas spinoff. Ballerina will also be even more devastating than John Wick: Chapter 4, as this will mark the last time that Lance Reddick appears in the franchise.
While Lance Reddick won’t be in John Wick’s spinoff prequel series The Continental, which explores the origins of the Continental Hotel, a younger version of his character Charon will. In The Continental, young Charon is set to be played by Ayomide Adegun in his acting debut. Young Charon’s role in The Continental will add more depth and significance to the version of the character originated by Reddick, thus still making the actor’s legacy important to Charon’s portrayal and conception in the prequel show. Lance Reddick truly left a mark on the John Wick franchise that will never fade, so while John Wick: Chapter 4 marks the end of Charon’s story, his memory and contributions to the series’ heart will remain.