He’s dead. Or is he? That’s basically the only thing anyone wants to talk about after that sunset on the steps of Sacré-Cœur. We all saw the headstone. We saw Winston and the King standing there looking somber. But then Lionsgate went ahead and confirmed John Wick Chapter 5 was in early development anyway, and now everyone is scratching their heads.
Honestly, it's a bit of a mess.
The fourth movie felt like a perfect, blood-soaked period at the end of a long sentence. But Hollywood loves a franchise, and Keanu Reeves has a way of making people want to throw money at a screen. Lionsgate Chairman Joe Drake didn't even wait for the dust to settle before telling investors during an earnings call that they were moving forward. It’s happening. How it’s happening is the part that gets tricky.
The Reality of the John Wick Chapter 5 Announcement
You’ve probably seen the clickbait. People claim there’s a leaked script or a release date. There isn't. As of right now, the project is in "early development." In industry speak, that means writers are staring at blank pages trying to figure out how to dig a man out of a grave without making the fans roll their eyes.
Director Chad Stahelski has been very vocal about this. He’s said in multiple interviews—specifically with The Hollywood Reporter and on the Happy Sad Confused podcast—that he and Keanu are always down for more, but only if there’s a "why." They don't want to just go through the motions. They’ve gone to Japan, Berlin, Paris... where do you go next? Outer space? Probably not.
The challenge is the ending of Chapter 4. It was definitive. If you bring him back, you risk cheapening that sacrifice. Yet, the Continental universe is expanding so fast it’s hard to keep track. We already had The Continental series, and Ballerina (starring Ana de Armas) is on the horizon. The brand is bigger than the man now.
Will Keanu Reeves Actually Return?
Can you even have a John Wick movie without Keanu?
Probably not. He is the DNA of the series. Keanu has stated he’ll play the character as long as the audience wants it, but he also respects the storytelling. There’s a world where John Wick Chapter 5 is a prequel. We’ve heard rumors about the "Impossible Task" for a decade. Seeing a younger, even more "unretired" John earn his freedom the first time could be legendary.
But let’s be real. Prequels are tough. You have to de-age the actor or cast someone else, and nobody wants a different John Wick. Fans want the suit, the hair, and the tactical reloads.
The High Table Problem
If the fifth movie is a direct sequel, the story has to deal with the High Table. John supposedly earned his freedom. But the High Table isn't exactly known for its integrity. They are a multi-billion dollar bureaucratic nightmare of assassins.
Maybe the "death" was a ruse orchestrated by Winston.
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Think about it. Winston has everything to gain. The King has everything to gain. If the world thinks the Baba Yaga is gone, the heat dies down. But if a new threat emerges—something even the High Table can’t handle—they might have to go knocking on that grave. It’s a classic trope, sure, but in this universe, it’s all about the execution. The choreography. The "gun-fu."
The Creative Team’s Dilemma
Stahelski is a stuntman at heart. He views these movies as a collection of set pieces tied together by a thin thread of lore. For John Wick Chapter 5, he has to top the staircase fight in Paris. He has to top the Dragon’s Breath shotgun sequence.
That’s a tall order.
He’s mentioned taking a break. He’s working on the Highlander reboot with Henry Cavill. He’s looking at Ghost of Tsushima. The man is busy. This suggests that even if Chapter 5 is "in development," we aren't seeing it for a long time. 2026? 2027? It’s all speculation until a camera actually starts rolling.
What We Know for Sure
Sometimes it’s better to look at what is actually on the calendar instead of what we wish was there.
- Ballerina is the next big step. It’s set between Chapters 3 and 4. Keanu is confirmed to have a cameo. This will be the litmus test for whether the franchise can survive without him as the lead.
- Lionsgate is committed. They told their shareholders it’s a priority.
- The "John Wick: Under the High Table" series is also in the works, which picks up right after the fourth film.
This TV show might actually be the bridge to John Wick Chapter 5. If the show explores the power vacuum left by the Marquis de Gramont’s death, it sets the stage perfectly for John’s return. Or his legacy.
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Addressing the "John is Dead" Theory
A lot of purists think the story should end. I get it. The ending was beautiful. He finally got to go home, in a sense. He died a "loving husband."
But look at the evidence. We never saw a body in a casket. We saw a burial. In the world of assassins, a grave is just a place to hide your gear until you need it again. The cinematic language of the ending was ambiguous on purpose. Stahelski even admitted they shot an alternative ending where you actually see John survived, but they chose the more emotional version for the theatrical cut.
That alone tells you they left the door unlocked.
Why the Wait is a Good Thing
Honestly, a rushed sequel would suck. The reason these movies get better as they go—which is rare for a franchise—is the prep time. Keanu spends months in "tactical 2-gun" and "3-gun" training. The stunt team, 87Eleven, spends a year choreographing fights.
If they started filming tomorrow, it wouldn't be a Wick movie. It would just be another action flick.
The delay allows the lore to breathe. It allows the spin-offs to build the world. By the time we get to John Wick Chapter 5, we’ll be so hungry for it that the "how did he survive?" logic won't even matter. We just want to see him pick up a pencil again.
Moving Forward with the Franchise
If you’re looking for a concrete release date, you’re going to be disappointed. It’s not on the 2025 slate. The focus is entirely on expanding the universe through different mediums first.
- Watch the spin-offs: Ballerina is essential viewing because it features the last bits of footage Keanu filmed in the suit.
- Follow the trades: Keep an eye on Variety or The Hollywood Reporter for actual casting calls. That’s when you know it’s real.
- Ignore the "leaked" trailers: YouTube is full of AI-generated "Chapter 5" trailers using footage from Siberia or Knock Knock. They are fake.
The Baba Yaga will return when the script is ready, and not a second before. For now, we have four near-perfect action movies to rewatch while we wait for the High Table to make their next move.
The best thing to do is keep an eye on Chad Stahelski’s production company, 87North. They are the heartbeat of this series. When they start hiring riggers and stunt coordinators for an "Untitled Action Project," that’s the signal. Until then, the dog is safe, and John is—theoretically—resting.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Audit the Timeline: To stay prepared, rewatch the series focusing on the High Table’s rules. Most of the plot holes people expect in a fifth movie are actually addressed in the "Markers" and "Traditions" established in Chapters 2 and 3.
- Track the TV Expansion: Follow the development of the Under the High Table series, as it is being produced by Stahelski and will likely contain the direct narrative setup for the next film.
- Support the Spin-offs: The financial success of Ballerina will directly dictate the budget and scale of Chapter 5. If the audience shows up for the universe, the studio will fast-track the main sequel.