Even as a big fan of the John Wick films as I am, this might be one too far for me. Production on a fifth John Wick film is reportedly planned for 2025. This is according to a report from scooper DanielRPK. Keanu Reeves will return.
The first movie was a welcome return to mid-budget 1980s and 1990s style action, and the secret assassin world with rules and structure was fun. Each movie peeled back some layers and added detail.
From the other Continental Hotels and the Sommelier, through to their own debt and honor system, and the hierarchy, it was a nicely constructed world. However, by the time you got to the end of the three-hour-long fourth movie, it felt all done. You knew everything you needed to know, and the characters had a full arc and closure. It was all wrapped up.
They also seemed to understand that John Wick is, essentially, an assassin so morally he can’t exactly go riding off into the sunset with a new love, his dog, his car, and a family on the way… or similar.
The movies have become something of a phenomenon, with the last installment still coming in at the $100 million budget mark – peanuts in today’s Hollywood – and earning $440.1 million at the box office. So Hollywood is gonna Hollywood, despite where the last installment seemingly left the hero of the story.
Lionsgate President Joe Drake confirmed that a fifth John Wick was a possibility, and director Chad Stahelski had worked on a script before the strikes. Stahelski has a concrete deal giving him full creative oversight of the entire franchise.
This could be why Ballerina has had reshoots, to fit better into whatever is being planned here.