In a recent conversation with CBS News, Keanu Reeves expressed his uncertainty about his physical capability to endure another “John Wick” film. The action film superstar has successfully appeared in four installments of the “John Wick” series, which have made over $1 billion in total. Despite his character’s return in next year’s spinoff “Ballerina”, the prospect of a fifth “John Wick” movie might hang in the balance due to the condition of Reeves’ knees.
“Never say never,” was Reeves’ response. “Currently, my knees are telling me ‘No more John Wick‘. My heart says yes, but I’m not sure my knees are up for it.”
“John Wick: Chapter 4” concluded with John’s presumed death after a duel aiming to free himself from the High Table. After being shot in the third round, John appears to die on the Basilica of Sacré Coeur’s steps, envisioning his deceased wife, Helen. The movie then transitions to a final scene where Winston (Ian McShane) and the Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne) pay a visit to John’s tombstone.
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In an earlier discussion with Entertainment Weekly, Reeves reiterated the “never say never” sentiment about a “John Wick 5”. He added, “I can’t envision a ‘John Wick’ movie without [director] Chad Stahelski. We’d have to figure out what that would look like. I’m of the belief that John Wick should eventually find peace.”
The ambiguous conclusion of “John Wick: Chapter 4” has left numerous fans pondering if Reeves will be back for a fifth movie. Director Chad Stahelski revealed in an interview with Empire magazine last year that a more definitive ending to “Chapter 4” was filmed and tested. In this alternate ending, it was irrefutable that John Wick had survived the duel.
Stahelski stated, “We had a different ending. John Wick was clearly seen alive at the end of the movie. However, the audiences we tested preferred the ambiguous ending.”
This ending was in stark contrast with Reeves’ personal preference for John Wick to meet his definitive end. Franchise producer Basil Iwanyk disclosed to Collider that Reeves had earnestly requested the “John Wick” team to kill his character off in “John Wick: Chapter 4.” This was quite typical of Reeves, who finds it challenging to return for more after being physically and emotionally depleted from filming each “John Wick” installment. However, the producers did not entirely heed their star’s request this time.
Iwanyk stated, “After the second, third, and fourth movie, making these films is so exhausting and it physically and emotionally wrecks Keanu. He always says, ‘I can’t do this again,’ at the end, and we agree. The guy is just a shadow of himself because he completely immerses himself. He expressed, ‘I wish to be definitively killed at the end of this movie.’ We, however, decided to leave a 10% opening.”
While Lionsgate has previously shown interest in “John Wick 5”, the movie is currently not on the studio’s release schedule. Meanwhile, Reeves sustained a knee injury during an accident on the set of his upcoming Aziz Ansari comedy “Good Fortune.”
Reeves will reprise his role as John Wick when the spinoff movie “Ballerina” hits the big screen on June 6, 2025.
Credit: variety.com
