John Wick 5 is now officially in development with Keanu Reeves and Chad Stahelski, Lionsgate confirms at CinemaCon. 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 a potential John 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, which ScreenRant attended, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Adam Fogelson confirms that Reeves will reunite with Stahelski for John 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 about John 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 Caine John Wick spinoff starring and directed by Donnie Yen, who made his debut in Chapter 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 on John Wick 5 happening. In a December interview with CBS News, Reeves, 60, joked that, while his heart wants another sequel, his “knees are saying right now, ‘You can’t do another John Wick.‘” This was followed by the actor confirming in March to Extra TV that his beloved assassin didn’t survive the John Wick: Chapter 4 ending, saying: “the character’s dead.” Clearly, though, Stahelski and Reeves have found a story idea that is worth resurrecting the character for.
Our Take On John Wick 5’s Development
Chapter 4 Leaves The Door Open For Wick’s Return
The announcement that John Wick 5 is in development isn’t entirely surprising given Chapter 4‘s success, and given that it was previously confirmed to be in early development. But this time it 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 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, the Wick series has never really been concerned with realism anyway. Though more concrete information on John Wick 5 may still be a ways off, it seems like audiences haven’t seen the last of the slick hitman just yet.
