For every successful box office franchise, there comes a moment of closure that feels satisfying to almost everyone involved—that is, until the producers look in the pocket and say the film’s box office success comes knocking, asking, “What’s next?” Take, for example, Keanu Reeves’ career-changing action series John Wick. Although the hype of the series is at a high level, its producer is strongly against allowing a fifth film that may reduce the end of John Wick: Chapter 4.
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, series creator Chad Stahelski reiterated that fans should not be disappointed to see Reeves return for a fifth film in the franchise. His thinking? The story of John Wick is over. It’s booked, I mean. Furthermore, Stahelski (rightly) believes that Wick’s fate was so tragic that continuing the franchise by bringing him back would diminish the film’s picture-perfect delivery. For Stahelski, the concept of the fifth film works more as a creative exercise than a true work of art.
“The plain truth is that you don’t have it [top John Wick: Chapter 4]. You just don’t want to. Nothing beats what we did. That’s the end. That’s the deal. That’s what we got for your closure. Look, sometimes, we’ll keep things in development. Sometimes, we will use the development as an exercise, but there is an opportunity to do it [John Wick 5]? Yes, there is, whether it’s financial or creative,” Stahelski told THR. “Jesus, in the last three years, I’ve already had three or four versions of a John Wick 5. It was different ways of telling a story, but it’s almost a mental exercise for me.”
Although Stahelski has spun a narrative thread on where he might take the franchise next, he is comfortable that wherever the numbered continuity goes, it won’t follow any part of John’s story arc.
“It will not be part of that [John Wick: Chapter 4] the story. It wouldn’t be what you thought it would be. As far as [John Wick: Chapter 4]we have reached the top. At least I have. That is my apex. We finished it. It’s a complete story,” Stahelski continued. “I’m looking at it now, and I feel good about it, but we’re not going to try to get past it. We would not try to add to that. It would have to be a completely different story.”
Now that Stahelski has made it undeniably clear that he doesn’t plan to pull a Deadpool and Wolverine by bringing Baba Yaga back, there is John Wick projects are coming down hoping to grow their legends. Except for the prequel tv show The continentfans can expect Ana de Armas to star in the headliner John Wick Presents: The Ballerina.
Over there BallerinaWith a June 6, 2025 release date, fans can look forward to an anime feature that will show John Wick completing an “impossible mission” that allows him to stop contract killing (temporarily). There is also a spin-off series being developed by Robert Levine called Under the Top Table that will follow a series of supporting characters. A spin off of Donnie Yen’s Caine is also being written. So, there’s a lot more Wickverse stuff in store.
Looking for more io9 news? Check out when you can expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe in film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
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