John Wick 5is now officially in development with Keanu Reeves and Chad Stahelski, Lionsgate confirms atCinemaCon. After the success of the first film back in 2014, Reeves' slick assassin returned for three sequels, the most recent of which,John Wick: Chapter 4, seemingly concluded the story in 2023. Despite Wick dying at the end of the most recent film, which Reeves has confirmed, there has been continued talk about apotentialJohn Wick 5, with Stahelski previously revealing that it was just a matter of finding the right story to tell.
During Lionsgate’s CinemaCon presentation in Las Vegas today, whichScreenRantattended, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Adam Fogelson confirms thatReeves will reunite with Stahelski forJohn Wick 5, which is now in development. Thunder Road producers Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee will also return as producers. Fogelson didn’t reveal any story details about the upcoming fifth film, but does confirm that Stahelski and Reeves have seemingly found a story worth pursuing:
“Keanu, Chad, Basil, and Erica would not return unless they had something truly phenomenal and fresh to say with these characters and this world. We can’t wait for audiences to see where the journey takes us next.”
Iwanyk and Lee shared their own statement aboutJohn Wick 5, calling this development confirmation an exciting “first step” towards the next chapter in Wick’s story:
“It’s so important to get this story right and give John’s story the proper next step. It’s exciting to take the first step on that road.”
The announcement also briefly touches on the announced CaineJohn Wickspinoff starring and directed by Donnie Yen, who made his debut inChapter 4. This spinoff, after being announced last year, is now confirmed to enter production this summer. The announced TV show,John Wick: Under the High Table, which features Stahelski and Reeves executive producing, is also confirmed to still be in development, in addition to a AAA video game.
What This Means For John Wick 5
Reeves Has Come Around On The Idea
This latest announcement follows several comments from Reeves that cast serious doubt onJohn Wick 5happening. In a December interview withCBS News, Reeves, 60, joked that, while his heart wants another sequel,his “knees are saying right now, ‘you’re able to’t do another John Wick.'“This was followed by the actor confirming in March toExtra TVthat his beloved assassin didn’t survive theJohn Wick: Chapter 4ending, saying: “the character’s dead.” Clearly, though, Stahelski and Reeves have found a story idea that is worth resurrecting the character for.
John Wick 5 Has A Much Bigger Problem Than How To Resurrect Keanu Reeves’ Character
Audiences are understandably confused about how Keanu Reeves could return for John Wick 5, but there’s a bigger question looming over the sequel.
What this story idea is remains to be seen, but audiences probably shouldn’t expectJohn Wick 5anytime soon. Reeves will next return as Wick in theBallerinaspinoff starring Ana de Armas, which releases on June 6, butStahelski’s schedule could prevent major movement happening on a fifth movie until next year. The stuntman-turned-director is reportedly set to start production on hisHighlanderremake starring Henry Cavill in May, and then post-production on that movie could dominate much of the rest of 2025. This could mean a 2028 release forWick 5, assuming it gets a green light.
Our Take On John Wick 5’s Development
Chapter 4 Leaves The Door Open For Wick’s Return
The announcement thatJohn Wick 5is in development isn’t entirely surprising givenChapter 4’s success, and given that it was previously confirmed to be in early development. But this timeit does seem like the film has a clearer story direction, which is exciting. Hopefully, this means the movie actually comes to fruition instead of remaining stuck in development for years to come.
John Wick: Chapter 4reviewswere the best of the series, and the film’s box office was also a franchise high at $440 million worldwide.
John Wick: Chapter 4’s ending certainly leaves the door open for more story, with Wick’s dog looking up at one point in a manner that suggests he was looking at his owner. This means it shouldn’t be too much of a stretch to bring the character back. Plus, theWickseries has never really been concerned with realism anyway. Though more concrete information onJohn Wick 5may still be a ways off, it seems like audiences haven’t seen the last of the slick hitman just yet.
