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Fans have been wondering about the future of the John Wick franchise since its latest film, John Wick: Chapter 4, was released on March 24, 2023. Keanu Reeves, who plays the titular assassin, was asked on CBS News on December 11, 2024, if he would consider returning for the fifth chapter.
The 60-year-old actor said he would love to reprise his role but is not sure if his body can handle the pressure of shooting another film.
"You can never say never, but my knees right now are saying, 'You can't do another John Wick.' So my heart does (want to), but I don't know if my knees can do it," said Keanu Reeves.
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Fans of the action-thriller film series took to Reddit to respond to the news, with one user summarizing his response as follows:
"Think i read that he said ok, but his knees said hell no."
Fans were unsurprised by his answer as they understood the physical toll playing such a character for nearly a decade can take on an actor.
“My thoughts exactly. After all the melee fighting in 2 & 3, it's no wonder why 4 was mostly shootouts. As much as I love Keanu Reeves the person and John Wick the character, I don't think he can handle the physicality anymore,” said one Reddit user.
“Dude 4 had some insane fight scenes. And he did all the stunts. He still had it,” pointed out one fan.
“We're now 4 years after John Wick 4 started filming, and more than 10 years since the filming of the first film. Age catches up,” said another.
While others came up with potential storylines, they would love to see if Keanu Reeves does decide to return for a fifth installment.
“make it a stealth movie going after the high table as a real assassin, that way we get to see that side of him and keanu doesnt have to put too much stress on himself physically,” suggested one user.
“It could work. An Old Man Wick style story, showing how John has to adapt his fighting style. More brutal, more gritty. I think it could work but would definitely have to be the final chapter,” added one user.
“I would be okay if JW 5 centered on Caine, with flashbacks detailing the relationship between Caine and John,” said one fan.
What is the latest update on the fifth chapter of John Wick?
John Wick, the action thriller film series directed by Chad Stahelski, has proven to be one of the most successful film franchises of the last decade. Starring Keanu Reeves as the titular assassin, the film series began with John Wick in 2014 and was followed by Chapter 2 in 2017, Chapter 3 – Parabellum in 2019, and Chapter 4 in 2023.
The last film in the franchise showcased Reeves' character, seemingly meeting his end in the climax. The ending was intentionally kept ambiguous to leave room for the possibility of expanding the franchise in the future. Since then, fans have held out hope for Keanu Reeves's return for a fifth time.
Not long after the last film's release in March 2023, Lionsgate teased fans with the exciting news that Chapter 5 was indeed in development. However, as of December 2024, no official announcement regarding the highly-anticipated sequel has been made.
Keanu Reeves will return for Ballerina
What is confirmed, though, is that Keanu Reeves will reprise his role in the upcoming film Ballerina, starring Ana de Armas as the lead. The sequel film is set between the events of Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4. As of this writing, it is not clear whether Reeves will make a cameo appearance or feature in a supporting role in the action thriller film.
Ballerina is directed by Len Wiseman and written by Shay Hatten. Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Norman Reedus, Ian McShane, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, and David Castañeda round out the film's supporting cast. It is slated to release on June 6, 2025.
The success of the franchise hinges on Keanu Reeves
The film series, centered around the retired assassin, has garnered legions of fans worldwide and grossed over $1 billion in total box office collections, as per a May 2023 report by Variety. The John Wick universe also includes a three-episode prequel series titled The Continental, released on Peacock on September 22, 2023. Moreover, it has also spawned several video game adaptations and comic book series.
In a conversation with People to mark the franchise's 10th anniversary, director Chad Stahelski reflected on Keanu Reeves's invaluable contribution to turning his character and the film series into a massive success. He revealed that the actor was "always the first to arrive and the last to leave" the sets.
His co-director David Leitch praised Reeves's portrayal of the hitman and added that his personal qualities made the character truly unique.
"There really is no other person that could play John Wick. He brings, obviously, the passion, the physicality, and there's just this undeniable emotional quality to him, where you feel for him and he pulls at your heartstrings."
Stay tuned for the latest updates on upcoming movies and television shows.
