Next June, the John Wick saga will get its first spin-off at the cinema. After The Continental series and while another is in development, Lionsgate continues to invest heavily in the universe born in 2014 under the direction of Chad Stahelski. It must be said that, since Keanu Reeves' first steps in the shoes of the hitman, the saga has managed to build a solid reputation among fighting fans. The latest installment to date has grossed more than 440 million dollars for a budget of 100 million. A great move that confirms the public's interest in the franchise. However, while spin-off projects are multiplying, the official announcement of a fifth installment of the hero's adventures was long overdue. Keanu Reeves seemed to want to devote himself to other universes and characters, including some he has already encountered on the big screen.
An interview by ComicBook with Jennifer Brown, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Products and Experiences at Lionsgate, allows us to learn more about the studio's ambitions. She made official a fifth installment in the saga, with or without Keanu Reeves. “This world continues to grow and expand in incredible ways. Coming up next, of course, is Ballerina, our first spin-off film. We can't wait for it to come out in the professional world. We've obviously announced that we're working on a fifth film, John Wick, and I think there will be other spin-offs to come.” Brown doesn't specify the progress of the project, or even who will be involved. Chad Stahelski is involved for his remake of Highlander with Henry Cavill.
But he's dead, right?
The announcement of this fifth installment is likely to surprise viewers, as the finale of John Wick was particularly definitive for the character. Indeed, it ended with a shot of a grave, proving that the hero had passed away. When asked about this fate, Jennifer Brown is rather confident. While she doesn't say anything about what the future holds, she leaves room for doubt. "John Wick… is perhaps (dead). We're all eagerly awaiting the news.
It's hard to imagine the studio revisiting this death, but we can still glimpse a future where John Wick returns to action through time travel. The story could explore a period before Episode 4 and tell one of the many dark corners of his life. He's the face of the saga, the one the audience is rooting for. Ballerina will be particularly watched. at the global box office, this will be an opportunity for the company to assess the interest in multiplying projects surrounding its hero without ever putting him at the heart of the process. Lionsgate could not resist calling him up... but for a brief appearance.
A game in development
In addition to the film and television projects, Lionsgate is evaluating the possibility of investing in a new format. Still according to Brown's statements, the company is actively working on the development of a game inspired by the franchise. This isn't the first time a tactical role-playing game was released in 2019 under the leadership of Bithell Games. It consisted of a resource management game where the player moves their character on a grid and is invited to defeat or avoid their enemies. Joe Drake, boss of Lionsgate, had hinted in 2023 that it would be a AAA game, meaning an ambitious title. Since then, information on this subject has been scarce, so we'll probably have to wait to learn more about it. In any case, the John Wick brand is still far from having breathed its last, whether Keanu Reeves is on the trip or not.
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