Why John Wick 5 Might Not Happen After All, According To Director

After previously indicating an openness for another installment, director Chad Stahelski thinks John Wick 5 might not happen after all. The Keanu Reeves-led franchise saw its biggest story yet with this year’s John Wick: Chapter 4, in which he found a path to freedom from the High Table through a high-stakes duel with the Marquis de Gramont. Though successful in taking out Bill Skarsgård’s antagonist, the film ended with Reeves’ eponymous assassin meeting his end and being buried next to his wife.

During a recent interview with The Direct, Chad Stahelski was again asked his thoughts on the chances for a John Wick 5. Though reiterating previous sentiments about wanting a break before a potential sequel, the action franchise’s director seemingly went back on his thoughts of the sequel happening, feeling that he and Reeves “ended it.” See what Stahelski explained below:

A John Wick 5 was first announced along with John Wick: Chapter 4, with the sequels originally planned for back-to-back productions until the pandemic and Reeves’ schedule with The Matrix Resurrections led to a scrapping of these plans. Stahelski later explained exclusively to Screen Rant that this plan was also scrapped as he and his creative team were unsure how to approach making back-to-back sequels without dimishing the quality of either installment.

Interestingly, however, Stahelski seemed more open to the possibility of a John Wick 5 in the future with the new film’s release, assuring that neither he nor Reeves would ever say they are “done” with the franchise. Reeves separately echoed this sentiment, stating he’s learned to “never say never” but stating that the only reasons he would return for another film is if Stahelski returned to direct it and if the story made sense.

While audiences are keen for the franchise to continue, the debate about whether a John Wick 5 should happen has proven very divided following Chapter 4’s emotional ending. Given the peace Wick finally achieves with his death at the end of the film, it’s understandable some would not want him to come back, though with plenty of backstory still unexplored and his upcoming return in Ballerina, others will always hold on to the hope that Reeves saddles up again for another adventure.