If there’s one thing we can count on when it comes to April Fools’ Day, we can always count on the trade news business, as it is their business to report on things accurately in the world of film and television. So, when I aggregate word that Lionsgate is confirming a fifth installment of the John Wick franchise, I can earnestly say I mean it.
Development on a fifth film was initially reported back in 2020, although news of late comes after months and months of rumormongering and speculation, even with franchise lead, Keanu Reeves, playing coy with news outlets on whether or not his character would actually return following the events of John Wick: Chapter 4. It also comes during CinemaCon this week where Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson was on hand to signal fans of the franchise:
“Keanu, Chad, Basil and Erica would not return unless they had something truly phenomenal and fresh to say with these characters and this world,” Fogelson said on the CinemaCon stage. “We can’t wait for audiences to see where the journey takes us next.”
Iwanyk and Lee added: “It’s so important to get this story right and give John’s story the proper next step. It’s exciting to take the first step on that road.”
Plot and story details remain pending. That said, with Len Wiseman’s Ballerina coming in June and with martial arts star Donnie Yen set to commence principal photography this summer following his role in John Wick: Chapter 4, I’m pretty sure there’s reason to remain optimistic.
Read more at The Wrap.