Chaos Surrounding John Wick 5: Producers Give Update
Keanu Reeves has already turned down the sequel
The chaos surrounding "John Wick 5" is not over. Just a few days ago, Keanu Reeves himself stated that no further "John Wick" film was being planned. Now the producers have made a statement and provided a completely different update.
Jenefer Brown is Head of Global Products & Experiences at film distributor Lionsgate. At the request of comicbook.com, she has now confirmed once again that "John Wick 5" was in development. At the "John Wick Experience" in Las Vegas, she explained:
"This world continues to grow and expand in incredible ways. Up next, of course, we have "Ballerina", which is our first spin-off movie [...]. Of course, we've announced we're working on a fifth John Wick film. [...] He may be dead. We are all on baited breath waiting to find out."
The big question remains: Will Keanu Reeves return as John Wick? His previous statement that no sequel was planned now seems questionable. In an interview with Extra, Keanu Reeves made it clear that his iconic character had died in the fourth installment of the action series. Quote:
"You know, the character's dead. He died in John Wick: Chapter 4".
The actor had already mentioned at the end of last year that the physical strain was increasingly noticeable after ten years as John Wick. Reeves, who is now 60 years old, was already in his late 40s when he first appeared in the role, so it is understandable that he wants to leave the exhausting action part behind him. Nevertheless, in Hollywood there is always the possibility of bringing back deceased characters.
A "John Wick" movie without John Wick would no doubt be unimaginable for most fans. It remains unclear how the project will develop in the coming months. First of all, however, we can look forward to the spin-off "Ballerina" with Ana de Armas, which is due to be released on June 6. There is also another spin-off about Donnie Yen's character Caine in the works, which will tie in with the plot of the fourth film.
The John Wick Movies: An Epic Action Saga
The "John Wick" film series is one of the most impressive action franchises of recent years. With Keanu Reeves in the lead role, the series has not only established itself as a commercial success, but also as a style-defining work in modern action cinema. The mixture of breathtaking choreography, dark atmosphere and a fascinating underworld has won a loyal fan base. In this article, we take a look at the films, their influence and the future of the series.
The Origin: John Wick (2014)
The first movie, "John Wick" (2014), was directed by Chad Stahelski and set new standards for the action genre. The story begins with a seemingly simple motive for revenge: former hitman John Wick lives in seclusion after the death of his wife, until Russian criminals kill his beloved dog – a parting gift from his wife – and steal his car. This sparks a merciless passion for revenge that forces him back into the underworld.
What sets "John Wick" apart from other action movies is the elegant staging of the fights. The fight scenes are based on "gun-fu", a mixture of the use of firearms and martial arts techniques. Great emphasis was also placed on world-building: The secret society of contract killers with the Continental Hotel as neutral ground made the plot intriguing and left room for further exploration in later films.
The Sequel: John Wick: Chapter Two (2017)
Following the success of the first installment, John Wick returned in 2017 with "Chapter 2". This film expanded the mythology of the series considerably. John is caught up in an old blood oath and forced to complete one last mission. But after he completes his mission, he is betrayed and declared the hunted.
The action sequences were made even more elaborate and the story took the audience deeper into the world of hitmen. The aesthetics of the movie are particularly noteworthy – with neon-lit locations and artfully choreographed fights, the visual identity of the series was further refined.
The Highlight: John Wick: Chapter 3 (2019)
"John Wick 3" (2019) picked up exactly where the second part left off. John Wick is now outlawed because he has broken the rules of the High Table. A bounty on his head ensures that he is hunted by almost every killer in the world.
The third film is a veritable action extravaganza, ranging from intense fight scenes to thrilling chases. Particularly impressive are the fights with Asian martial arts fighters and the use of exotic weapons such as books or horses as means of combat.
The movie ends with an open ending: John is seriously injured but rescued by the Bowery Kings, paving the way for a sequel.
The Most Recent Sequel: John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)
The fourth part of the series was released in 2023 and is considered the epic conclusion to the main story. "Chapter 4" expands the narrative once again and takes John Wick on a global escape with stops in Berlin, Paris and Osaka. In the process, he faces off against his most powerful opponent yet – the Marquis de Gramont, a high-ranking member of the High Table.
With a running time of almost three hours and even more elaborately choreographed fights, the film set new standards. The scene on the stairs in Montmartre and the visually impressive club scene in Berlin were particularly memorable for fans. However, the end of the movie left room for speculation about Wick's fate.
Influence of the Series on Action Cinema
The "John Wick" movies revolutionized the action genre. Instead of hectic cuts and CGI-heavy fights, the film series relies on handmade, realistic stunts and long, uninterrupted shots. Keanu Reeves trained intensively for each role and performed many of the stunts himself, which contributes to the authenticity of the movies.
Many modern action films such as "Nobody" (2021) or "Atomic Blonde" (2017) were inspired by "John Wick" and follow a similar style. The series also led to a revival of the "gun-fu" style, which was previously only known from Asian films.
Conclusion
The "John Wick" series has established itself as one of the best action sagas in film history. With impressive fight choreography, a dark but fascinating world and a charismatic lead actor, it has redefined the genre. Whether John Wick returns or not, his legacy in the movie world will live on for a long time to come.
