Buckle up, John Wick fans, because the fifth installment is coming, and it’s not just another chapter—it’s a brand-new story for our favorite suit-wearing, dog-loving hitman. Director Chad Stahelski recently spilled some tantalizing details, hinting that John Wick 5 will take Keanu Reeves’ iconic character in a completely fresh direction. “We’re not picking up where we left off,” Stahelski teased, promising a narrative that’ll make fans’ jaws drop. After John Wick: Chapter 4 delivered what felt like a perfect ending, this news has me buzzing about what’s next for the unstoppable Baba Yaga.
What’s Cooking for John Wick 5?
Lionsgate dropped the bombshell at CinemaCon in April 2025, confirming John Wick 5 with Reeves back as Wick, Stahelski in the director’s chair, and producers Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee steering the ship. The franchise, which has raked in over a billion dollars worldwide, has kept us glued to our seats with its pulse-pounding action and deep underworld vibes. Chapter 4 was a high point, grossing $440 million globally and leaving us with a gut-punch of an ending—Wick collapsing after a deadly duel, his fate unclear as Winston and the Bowery King stood by his grave. Now, Stahelski’s ready to shake things up, saying the new film won’t lean on the High Table drama that fueled the last four movies. Instead, it’s a “new story” that’s got him genuinely excited.
He didn’t give away much, but his enthusiasm is infectious. “We’ve got something that feels right for John,” he said, hinting at a plot that moves beyond Wick’s grief over his late wife, Helen. This makes sense—Chapter 4 wrapped up his quest to break free from the High Table, so going back to that well would feel stale. I’m picturing a Wick who’s maybe older, wiser, or dealing with a totally different kind of trouble. Could he be mentoring a new assassin? Exploring a new city? Whatever it is, Stahelski’s promising it’ll be a game-changer.
Why Start Fresh?
Chapter 4 felt like the end of an era. Wick fought his way out of the High Table’s grip, faced off against Donnie Yen’s Caine in a Paris showdown, and took what looked like fatal wounds. The final scene—Winston at Wick’s grave—had us all wondering if he was really gone or if it was a clever fake-out. Stahelski and Reeves have always said they’d only come back if they had something worth saying, and it sounds like they’ve found it. The director’s been clear he doesn’t want to undo Chapter 4’s emotional payoff, which is why this new story feels like such a smart move. It’s not about topping the last film’s insane stunts (that Arc de Triomphe chase, though!) but about giving Wick a fresh purpose.
I love that they’re not just milking the franchise for cash. Stahelski’s a perfectionist, and Reeves, at 60, still pours his heart into the role. They’ve been dreaming up ideas over drinks for years, and it sounds like they’ve landed on something that honors Wick’s journey while pushing him somewhere new. Maybe we’ll see him in a different corner of the underworld, or even years later, living a quieter life—until trouble finds him, of course.
The Wick World Keeps Growing
John Wick 5 is just one piece of a bigger puzzle. Lionsgate’s expanding the universe like crazy. First up, Ballerina, starring Ana de Armas, drops June 6, 2025, set between Chapters 3 and 4, with Reeves popping in for a cameo. Then there’s Donnie Yen’s Caine, a Hong Kong action flick he’s directing and starring in, following his blind assassin after Chapter 4. It’s aiming for a 2026 release and promises martial arts mayhem. There’s also an animated prequel in the works, with Reeves voicing a younger Wick tackling his legendary “Impossible Task”—the night he took out an army of rivals to retire for Helen. It’s got a killer team, including director Shannon Tindle and writer Vanessa Taylor.
On TV, The Continental already explored the 1970s underworld, and a new series, John Wick: Under the High Table, is coming, picking up after Chapter 4 with new faces fighting for power. Reeves and Stahelski are executive producing, so it’s got that authentic Wick flavor. Add in a planned video game and a Las Vegas experience, and it’s clear this franchise is a juggernaut.
What Could the New Story Be?
No plot details yet, but I’m having fun guessing. Stahelski’s talk of moving past grief suggests Wick’s found some peace, so maybe he’s pulled into a conflict he didn’t start—like protecting someone new or facing a threat outside the High Table’s reach. I’d love to see Ian McShane’s Winston or Laurence Fishburne’s Bowery King back, though we’ll miss Lance Reddick’s Charon after his passing. The action’s a given—Stahelski’s gun-fu is unmatched, and I’m betting he’ll dream up stunts that make Chapter 4’s staircase fight look tame. With Reeves still doing his own moves, Wick’s gonna keep kicking butt in style.
When’s It Hitting Theaters?
We don’t have a release date, and with Stahelski busy on projects like Highlander and Ghost of Tsushima, production might not start until late 2025 or 2026. Given Chapter 4 took two years from announcement to release, I’m thinking 2027, maybe 2026 if we’re lucky. Either way, Stahelski’s not rushing—he wants it to be perfect, and I’m cool with waiting for something this good.
Why I’m So Excited
I’ve been a John Wick fan since the first film blew me away with its simple revenge story and insane action. Each movie’s upped the ante, and Chapter 4 felt like a masterpiece, so I was nervous about a fifth. But Stahelski’s passion and the promise of a new story have me sold. Reeves is still the heart of this series, and the idea of seeing Wick in a fresh light—maybe with a new mission or a whole new vibe—is thrilling. Plus, the Wick-verse is keeping us fed with Ballerina and Caine in the meantime.
Get Ready for Wick’s Next Fight
John Wick 5 is gearing up to reinvent the franchise we love, with Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves cooking up something totally new. It’s not just another sequel—it’s a bold leap for John Wick, and I can’t wait to see where it lands. Keep an eye out for Ballerina this June to tide you over, and start dreaming about what Wick’s next chapter could hold. My guess? A grizzled Wick in a new city, still finding trouble. What’s your take?
Source: Empire Online