Keanu Reeves is officially returning for John Wick: Chapter 5, as confirmed by Lionsgate at CinemaCon. He’ll reunite with director Chad Stahelski and producers Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee. Fans are thrilled, as his return defies expectations after Chapter 4’s ending, promising more high-octane action and gripping storytelling. But why is it such a big deal?

Why Is Keanu Reeve’s Return In John Wick 5 Such A Big Deal EXPLAINED

Keanu Reeves is officially set to return to the John Wick franchise with Chapter 5. The news was confirmed at the recent CinemaCon by Lionsgate. As per reports, Adam Fogelso, chair of the studio’s Motion Picture Group, in a statement revealed that Keanu will re-team with franchise director Chad Stahelski as well as producers Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee for the fifth part in the franchise. “We can’t wait for audiences to see where the journey takes us next,” Fogelkson added.

But why is Reeves’ return to John Wick: Chapter 5 such a big deal?

The John Wick franchise began with the release of John Wick in 2014, followed by three sequels: Chapter 2 in 2017
For the unversed, the 2023 John Wick: Chapter 4 ended on a relatively ambiguous note for the iconic character. In the film, John Wick appeared to have died following a grueling duel with Bill Skarsgård’s Marquis de Gramont.

However, there was a shot of Wick’s dog looking back at his grave.

Given the indication of Wick’s death in the fourth installment, it comes as a surprise that the character is being revived for a fifth film. However, as director Stahelski had earlier indicated, there were already two versions to the ending of John Wick 4, of which, one did indeed see the legendary hitman very much alive. In an interview to Empire, in 2023, Stahelski had said, “We shot an ending where you actually saw John Wick at the end of the movie. So it was very clear that he was still alive. The audiences we tested with absolutely preferred the ambiguous ending.”

The John Wick franchise began with the release of John Wick in 2014, followed by three sequels: Chapter 2 in 2017, Chapter 3 – Parabellum in 2019, and Chapter 4 in 2023. John Wick: Chapter 4 earned $187.1 million in the United States and Canada, along with $253 million from other regions, bringing its global box office total to $440.1 million. The films have earned a collective gross of more than $1 billion worldwide.

Given the popularity of the franchise and Keanu Reeves’ appeal among the audience, it seems like a calculated move by the production to bring back the legendary hitman.

Meanwhile, the John Wick franchise is already set to have another spinoff, which is slated for a 2025 release in From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, which will star Ana de Armas in the lead role, alongside Gabriel Byrne, Catalina Sandino Moreno, and Norman Reedus in supporting roles.

Set between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4, Eve Macarro, a ballerina-trained assassin, undergoes rigorous training in the deadly traditions of the Ruska Roma as she embarks on a mission to avenge her father’s death.