After ‘John Wick 4’ Breaks Franchise B.O. Records With $141.4M Worldwide, The People Want More
The success of John Wick: Chapter 4 at the international box office has prompted Lionsgate motion picture group chair Joe Drake to reconsider the idea of a fifth installment in the action franchise, which had previously been thought to be the last entry.
Keanu Reeves in a scene from 'John Wick 4'
Murray Close / Lionsgate
Chad Stahelski directed the movie featuring the return of Keanu Reeves in the lead role of the renowned assassin.
After it won great reviews and an ‘A’ CinemaScore from viewers, the action film cumulated a box office of $73.8 million in the US and $67.6 million overseas, totaling an all-time high of $141.4 million worldwide.
The task of producing a fifth John Wick film, especially in light of the seeming death of Reeves' character at the close of Chapter 4, is no easy feat. However, on Sunday, Drake from Lionsgate informed The Hollywood Reporter that a John Wick 5 could be a real possibility.
Drake stated that, although there is a desire and receptiveness, it is uncertain if it is possible to move forward to a fifth installment.
“We’re all going to take a tiny rest here and then scratch at ideas about whether there’s a credible way to get into five. But there’s no guarantee.”
The creative team could be looking at a change in direction, with Stahelski and Reeves originally thinking that the fourth installment would be the finale. At one point, the idea of making two more movies was in consideration, yet this was ultimately abandoned once the ending of Chapter 4 had been finalized.
Drake highlighted that Keanu and Chad are keen to preserve the audience's trust, a feat that he believes will be a challenge. He emphasized that Keanu is aware of the adoration for his character, something that he does not take lightly.
Reeves is aware that John Wick 4 is his second highest-grossing domestic debut behind The Matrix Reloaded, which started at $91.8 million in 2003.
Though the future of John Wick 5 is still uncertain, we can expect to see Keanu Reeves continuing on as the character, just not in the starring role. In the first spinoff, Ballerina, Ana de Armas will take up the mantle as the protagonist, with Ian McShane, Anjelica Huston, and the late Lance Reddick also appearing.
This movie is expected to come out in theaters next year and will take place between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 -- Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4, with Len Wiseman as the director.