John Wick: Chapter 5 Gets An Update From the Franchise's Director

A prominent creative figure behind the successful John Wick franchise has provided an update on where the development of John Wick: Chapter 5 stands. Following the conclusion of 2023’s John Wick: Chapter 4, audiences questioned how the potential fifth mainline entry in the series following the titular assassin would progress with and without key characters — a direction extensively explored by the series’ creative team, leading to a unique take on how the sequel would play out.

The John Wick series celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, marking the birth of what would become one of the most iconic film franchises in recent memory. Following the first chapter, the series has seen steady growth with each new entry and resulted in a combined box office gross of one billion dollars, a feat propelled by the positive reception surrounding the dynamic gun-fu choreography and pragmatic presentation of the narrative to ultimately cement John Wick as a staple in pop culture. Despite the success of the films, an end was in sight for the eponymous character; the finale of John Wick: Chapter 4 saw Keanu Reeves’ character succumbing to his wounds following a duel against Donnie Yen’s blind assassin, Caine. Wick’s closure was further solidified following a scene depicting Ian McShane’s Winston and Laurence Fishburne’s the Bowery King paying their respects at John’s grave. The film wound up serving as the franchise’s capstone, earning $440 million dollars at the global box office and another instance of widespread critical acclaim, gauging growing interest in the world of John Wick despite the character’s supposed passing.

Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, John Wick series director and co-creator, Chad Stahelski, revealed that he and his creative team have developed “three or four versions” of John Wick: Chapter 5 in the last several years. “There’s no topping what we did. That’s the end. That’s the deal. That’s what we found closure for,” Stahelski said regarding John Wick: Chapter 4‘s ending. “So we have some really good ideas, and it would not be part of that [John Wick: Chapter 4] storyline. It would not be what you would think it is… but as far as [John Wick: Chapter 4], we’ve peaked. At least, I have. That’s my apex. We ended it… We wouldn’t try to add on to that. It’d have to be a completely different storyline.”

Beyond John Wick: Chapter 5, a prequel anime feature exploring the task that enabled Wick to retire is in development, along with a television series following supporting characters in the John Wick world titled Under the High Table and a spin-off film centered on Yen’s Caine. Stahelski is overseeing these projects and more following the expansion of his role at Lionsgate, the distribution company behind the franchise. “We wanted to do the TV show, the anime, and other John Wick projects and spinoffs, but we needed one person to keep it centered,” Stahelski said. “And as the director of all four films, I was the guy that came up with the mythology, and I was in charge of the tone, so… I’m the gatekeeper, but everyone is welcome.”

Continuing the momentum the first John Wick film set in motion a decade ago, the franchise is showing no signs of slowing down. The world of John Wick is bound to find continued success through next year’s Ballerina and the trio of spin-offs in development across various mediums, and with Stahelski serving as franchise overseer, the future of John Wick is in safe hands.

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John Wick

A retired hitman is drawn back into the criminal underworld.