Director Chad Stahelski says the next film in the John Wick series starring Keanu Reeves will be "really different" and feature a new story rather than directly continuing the previous films' narrative arc. The announcement follows John Wick: Chapter 4, which appeared to wrap up the main conflict surrounding the High Table.
Stahelski told Empire that the saga involving the High Table felt concluded after Chapter 4. He explained that making John Wick: Chapter 5 requires a fresh plot that involves the character, emphasizing it will not simply pick up where the last movie left off.
While Chapter 4's ending saw John Wick's apparent demise, the scene was structured to leave room for interpretation regarding the character's fate. Stahelski acknowledged the need for a strong premise to bring the assassin back into action.
The filmmakers are exploring ideas for Chapter 5 through other projects set in the John Wick universe. An animated prequel movie about Wick's early days escaping the criminal world and the Under The High Table TV series are being developed to explore potential threads and concepts for the fifth film.
Additional spin-offs are also in the works, including Ballerina, a film set after John Wick: Chapter 3 featuring Ana de Armas, with Keanu Reeves expected to make an appearance. Another project centers on Donnie Yen's character Caine from Chapter 4.
The focus on a new story direction suggests the next movie may move beyond the immediate consequences of the High Table conflict. Elements like the Continental Hotel could still factor into the universe, but the central premise for John Wick's return is anticipated to be distinct from his previous motivations.
Stahelski hinted that the trailer for the new approach would surprise audiences, aiming to generate significant interest. The success of previous installments has created anticipation for how the franchise will evolve while maintaining the expected action sequences.
