Photo credit: movieweb.com
Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers for John Wick: Chapter 4. The future of the John Wick: Chapter 5 project remains uncertain despite statements from director Chad Stahelski and others in the team. Keanu Reeves has expressed some reservations about the continuation of the series, leading fans to speculate about the viability of a fifth installment. Many consider Chapter 4 to have provided a fitting culmination to the story, effectively concluding the journey of the titular character and leaving Reeves’ performance on a high note. However, there is a sense of ongoing expansion within this successful action franchise, accentuated by the anticipated release of the spin-off film Ballerina, as well as an animated prequel in development and a film centered around Caine, who stood out in Chapter 4.
If the creative team opts to continue the saga, they have laid the groundwork for a plausible narrative continuation that doesn’t seem forced. Although the tragic end that John Wick appeared to meet at the close of Chapter 4 offers a poignant farewell, the trope of action heroes faking their own deaths is well-established. There’s a prevailing opinion that any return of John Wick should only be considered if it offers him an even more satisfying conclusion. Fans have proposed intriguing theories that could guide this potential narrative.
What Would a Fifth ‘John Wick’ Entail?
In recent developments, a sequel series titled John Wick: Under the High Table was announced, although specifics about the storyline are still forthcoming. The initial reports indicated that this new series would introduce several fresh characters who aim to seize control in the wake of the upheaval caused by Wick’s final actions in Chapter 4. It’s reasonable to expect that the series will delve deeper into the inner workings and traditions of the High Table.
There’s speculation that the series might serve as a bridge between Chapter 4 and a potential fifth movie, featuring a return of Keanu Reeves. This narrative pathway would likely confirm the popular theory that Wick staged his own death, only to be thrust back into turmoil as various assassins seek his life again. As a result, a possible storyline could see Wick aiming for the apex of the High Table itself.
In such a scenario, Wick’s motivations would shift dramatically from revenge to survival. Ascending to the head of the High Table would provide him a unique form of security, empowering him to modify the council’s rules and offer a sense of freedom to fellow assassins, a life he himself yearned for. This conclusion, though bittersweet, aligns well with a recurring theme in the franchise: the inevitability of one’s past.
Would This Be a Worthy Conclusion to ‘John Wick’?
Regardless of whether this fan theory is realized, it is crucial to consider that Chapter 4 has already delivered a near-ideal conclusion. Allowing John Wick to die as a free man and to rest next to his late wife could represent the most fitting resolution for the character. Consequently, pursuing a direct sequel carries the risk of undermining the emotional weight conveyed in Chapter 4. Any new material from Stahelski and his team would have to be undoubtedly exceptional to ensure strong fan support.
Moreover, a scenario in which Wick is resurrected solely to face yet another death could feel gratuitous, especially given the multiple brushes with mortality he has experienced throughout the series. While the possibility of Wick becoming the High Table’s new leader seems appealing, it could simultaneously cast a shadow over his previous resolution in Chapter 4, where he found peace for the first time. The prospect of him leading a life tethered to the very world he sought to escape would embody a tragic irony, even if his newfound power could offer a better future for other assassins.
Historically, the John Wick franchise has never shied away from bittersweet conclusions. The original film, initially intended as a standalone, ended on a somewhat somber note, reinforcing the idea that Wick could never truly escape his assassin past. A potential Chapter 5 could serve as a fitting capstone to the series, remaining true to the tragic elements deemed essential by Stahelski and Reeves.
Regardless of whether we see Reeves reprise his iconic role, the franchise appears poised for future endeavors, highlighted by various upcoming spin-offs and television projects. Should this iteration of Chapter 5 come to fruition and surpass the emotional resonance of Chapter 4, fans are likely to return for more. The first three films are available for streaming on Hulu, while Chapter 4 can be found on Starz.
Source
movieweb.com