Breaking News: Director Dismisses Concerns, John Wick 5 Confirmed!

Summary

John Wick director Chad Stahelski hints that a John Wick 5 might not happen, saying they need a "real reason" to bring Wick back to avoid insulting the audience's intelligence.

Stahelski is determined not to create another sequel solely for financial gain, as he fears it would leave the audience feeling cheated.

Highlighting the team's utmost admiration for the character and the John Wick universe, Stahelski acknowledges their willingness to explore the idea of a fifth movie, though they are uncertain about the next steps to take.

John Wick 5 may not be in the works, as revealed by director Chad Stahelski. The latest installment in the Keanu Reeves-led action series, John Wick: Chapter 4, debuted on March 24 and raked in $432.2 million, surpassing its $100 million budget. However, the possibility of a sequel became uncertain as the film concluded with John Wick's death and his burial alongside his deceased wife Helen.

Stahelski, the director of all four John Wick films (co-directing the first installment with David Leitch), recently made an appearance on an episode of Happy Sad Confused. In their discussion, he touched upon the potential of a sequel for John Wick: Chapter 4. Although he expressed openness to the idea, he emphasized the importance of having a compelling justification for bringing Wick back. Stahelski is adamant about not wanting to undermine the intelligence of the audience or create a sequel solely for monetary gain, as he personally would feel betrayed as a viewer. You can read his complete statement below:

There should be a compelling motive to reintroduce John Wick. It must not only disengage the audience, but also captivate their interest. It is evident that viewers crave Keanu's return, but refuse to be underestimated. They desire substance and not a mere promise of mindless violence. As an audience member, I too would feel cheated if such a superficial approach was taken.

The Franchise Doesn't Need John Wick In Order To Keep Going

Keeping the essence of what truly mattered to us - our adoration for the character and the world we've created - is paramount. When you have deep affection for something, it naturally compels you to nurture and protect it. Therefore, we remain uncertain about how to proceed, even though none of us are opposed to creating a fifth installment. Admittedly, our collective intelligence may not provide us with all the answers.

Despite Stahelski's determination to never create John Wick 5, the conclusion of the franchise is not inevitable. A significant advantage of the series lies in its expansive cast, consisting of diverse and compelling characters who possess the potential to assume the role of the franchise's core protagonist, replacing Reeves. Additionally, several spinoffs are currently being developed that explore narratives beyond the immediate involvement of Wick himself.

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The upcoming spinoff that is scheduled to debut on Peacock on September 22 is called The Continental. This streaming series serves as a prequel and centers around a younger iteration of Winston Scott, the hotelier character portrayed by Colin Woodell. Joining the cast of The Continental are Mel Gibson, Hubert Point-Du Jour, Jessica Allain, Mishel Prada, Ayomide Adegun, and Katie McGrath.

The spinoff film, Ballerina, is scheduled to be released on June 7, 2024. It centers around the ballerina assassin character originally portrayed by Unity Phelan, but in this movie, the role will be played by Ana de Armas. The storyline takes place between John Wick: Chapter 3 and John Wick: Chapter 4, and will feature appearances from Ian McShane, Anjelica Huston, Lance Reddick, and Keanu Reeves himself. The franchise's network of spinoffs is strong enough to continue without the need for John Wick 5, even though Reeves has the option to appear in prequels.