As soon as “John Wick: Chapter 4” has arrived in dark rooms, the question arises as to whether the killer, played by Keanu Reeves, will return anytime soon. Start of answer…
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In August 2020, in the middle of the first year of the pandemic, director Chad Stahelski announced that he would shoot the fourth and fifth parts of the surprise hit back-to-back. However, in March 2021 a possible John Wick 5 was shelved, with Lionsgate Studios deciding that Chapter 4 was a priority. Additionally, in May 2022, the filmmaker insisted that a fifth installment was still in the pipeline. And today?
Full of dollars for “Chapter 4”
Since October 2014, the release date of the very first “John Wick”, the widower’s trials to avenge the death of his dog have had an unexpected success… The franchise has grossed no less than $587.01 million at the worldwide box office, which is a total production budget of US$135 million. Something to the delight of producers and studios worried about the future of cinema since the pandemic.
Analysts expect “John Wick: Chapter 4” to set box office records of $60-70 million in North America in its opening weekend, more than the previous three films. While initial reviews were rave – the feature film has been shown in Europe – analysts are now forecasting North American earnings at $210 million, for comparison the first three had grossed $306.08 million in the same territory.
Because it’s the success of John Wick: Chapter 4 that will define the production of a fifth in this era of Hollywood gaiety – we know even superheroes have trouble pulling the masses together. John Wick is already rejected in Ballerina, a film starring Ana de Armas in the title role and Len Wiseman directing. Yes, we also know that Keanu Reeves will have a brief appearance there.
But that’s not all. On the small screen, the universe of “John Wick” will be present in the form of a series called “The Continental,” named after the hotels that serve as a haven and neutral ground for assassins and members of the underworld. We know that the series, which will air via Peacock this year, will be set before the events of the first film and will focus on Winston’s youth in the 1970s. In all, fans will be offered three 90-minute episodes, The Continental Being a Limited Series.
And then this 5th film?
Of course, all the journalists asked director Chad Stahelski if the future of “John Wick” depended on the killer’s return in a fifth film. His answer leaves no room for interpretation… and much hope.
“We’re going to let John Wick rest a bit. I’m sure the studios have a strategy, the filmmaker told the pages of The Hollywood Reporter. When moviegoers appreciate “Chapter 4” and the success is there, we take the time to think.
“You know, ‘John Wick’ is the last one to be released in Japan, always three months late. If it’s the same this time, we’ll do a promotional tour in Japan for the September release. Keanu and I will go to Tokyo, we will sit at the Imperial Hotel bar and ask ourselves the question. We drink some 20-year-old whiskeys and jot down ideas on paper napkins. If these ideas stick, maybe we’ll make a movie.”
And since there’s a two or three year gap between each film…yes, all hopes are allowed.