Mind-Blowing Twist: John Wick 3's Ending Leaves Keanu Reeves Begging for More in Chapter 4

John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum director Chad Stahelski recently discussed the original plan for the ending of the film. In the climactic scene, John Wick is shot off the rooftop of the New York Continental building by Winston. Following this, he is discovered by the Bowery King's men, which hints at his potential involvement in a revolt against the High Table.

During an interview with Empire, Stahelski revealed that he and lead actor Keanu Reeves initially considered concluding the entire John Wick series with the ending of Chapter 3. However, both of them felt dissatisfied with this conclusion and decided to brainstorm ideas for John Wick: Chapter 4 instead. Read on to find out more about Stahelski's thoughts on this matter.

We were unsatisfied with our performance. The way we concluded the series didn't feel satisfying, and it left us with a terrible feeling. Considering our affection for the character, our enjoyment of working together, and our attachment to the world, I expressed my frustration, stating that I would be furious if that was how the entire series ended, blaming the director. Coincidentally, I had recently read a treatise on samurai etiquette called Hagakure, which delved into the art of dying. We came to the agreement that the character had to die, and we needed to devise the most remarkable way to accomplish that. Our focus became centered on the idea that a good death can only be attained if one has lived a good life. This concept became the starting point for our work, which we scribbled on a napkin in Japan three years prior. From that one concept, we developed the entire movie in reverse.

Why John Wick: Chapter 4 Is A Good Ending For The Series

Had John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum been the final chapter in the John Wick saga, numerous aspects of the franchise would have remained unresolved. Among these, John's ultimate destiny, entwined with his alliance with the Bowery King to wage war against the High Table, would have hung in the balance. Furthermore, it would have imparted a sense that John would be perpetually locked in a never-ending battle against the assassin conglomerate, thereby offering his character arc a dissatisfying conclusion.

By choosing to create John Wick: Chapter 4, Stahelski and Reeves effectively concluded John's narrative arc while also expanding the universe to include other assassins and their dynamic with the High Table. The conclusion of John Wick: Chapter 4 sees John finally liberated from the clutches of the High Table, seemingly meeting his demise and being laid to rest beside his wife. This grants John a lasting respite, providing a fitting farewell that leaves little to speculation.

Nevertheless, there is a possibility of John making a comeback, as Lionsgate has announced John Wick 5, despite Stahelski's uncertainty regarding the future direction of the series. Nevertheless, for many, John Wick: Chapter 4 will likely stand as the ideal culmination of the franchise, irrespective of the number of subsequent films released. If John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum had marked the conclusion of John's journey, it could not have achieved a more definitive resolution.

Source: Empire