Warning: SPOILERS lie ahead for John Wick: Chapter 4!Following the shocking ending of the newly released film, John Wick 5's chances have gotten an optimistic response from director Chad Stahelski. The latest chapter in the action franchise saw Keanu Reeves' eponymous assassin facing off against the overly ambitious Marquis de Gramont in a final bid to be clear of the High Table and earn his freedom. John Wick: Chapter 4's ending saw Wick engage in a High Table duel with Caine as a proxy for the Marquis and, after feigning losing, shoot and kill the Marquis, though Wick seemingly succumbed to his wounds.
In honor of the film's release, Deadline caught up with Chad Stahelski to break down John Wick: Chapter 4 and the franchise's future. When asked about the potential John Wick 5 following the character's demise in the new movie, the director had an optimistic response to its chances, assuring he and Reeves will never turn down a return as long as it makes sense. See what Stahelski shared below:
As for John Wick, you will never [hear] Keanu or I say, we’re done. We’re proud of what we’ve done, flattered people want to see more, and we want to continue that and will be there to help out. What Lionsgate decides to do with the properties is up to them.
Will The John Wick Franchise Return After Chapter 4?
Development on a John Wick 5 was first announced in mid-2020 when Lionsgate initially announced it and Chapter 4 would be filmed back-to-back, only for the COVID-19 pandemic and Reeves' schedule on The Matrix Resurrections leading to its delay. Stahelski more recently, however, indicated that John Wick 5 had been shelved for the time being as he and Reeves were creatively exhausted after the mammoth new sequel and that they want to take some time off from the franchise. Reeves had also previously teased that John Wick 5 was not guaranteed and confirmed that his character was dead.
Even if Reeves doesn't return to lead another sequel, John Wick: Chapter 4 doesn't mark the end of his time in the franchise, or of the franchise itself. The star has filmed a cameo in the Ana de Armas-led Ballerina spinoff alongside Ian McShane, Lance Reddick and Anjelica Huston, while also having a say to where in the franchise's overall timeline the movie sits.
Additionally, it was recently announced that the long-gestating prequel show The Continental would be premiering on Peacock this September, assuring plenty more of the John Wick franchise to come in the near future. With an alternate John Wick: Chapter 4 ending also hinting at Reeves' survival from the duel, it would be interesting to see if he and Stahelski determine a proper story to return later down the road.
Source: Deadline