At CinemaCon in Las Vegas, Lionsgate focused heavily on John Wick to create a buzz. The studio was certainly expected to deliver on this front in particular, as rumors of a new installment in the franchise had been circulating for several weeks. At the event that brings together producers and theater operators, the head of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group defined the contours of a new era for the hitman born in 2014 under the leadership of Chad Stahelski. John Wick 5 is well in the works, with Keanu Reeves to reprise the role that suits him perfectly.
If the company cultivates the mystery regarding the plot, and especially the way in which this new installment would manage to overcome the death of the hero, We already know that Stahelski and his longtime producers, Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, will be involved. Adam Fogelson assures that they have found “something phenomenal and new to say with these characters and this world.” They have thus gotten the green light to launch development and production. The release schedule has not been shared, but the growing success of the franchise should motivate the troops not to waste too much time. In the meantime, the brand will not be discreet and should continue to invest the cultural scene regularly.
A growing franchise
While the first film posted a box office of $86 million, John Wick 4 ended its run in theaters with more than $440 million in revenue. Since this undisputed success, Lionsgate has been multiplying spin-off projects in both cinema and on the small screen. In 2023, on Peacock, the series The Continental told the story of Winston Scott in the 1970s as he took over the management of a New York hotel and turned it into a crime hub. In a few weeks, the studio hopes to create a buzz with Ballerina, starring Ana de Armas. The film will follow the story of a ballerina raised to become an assassin and who sets out to avenge her father's death.
In addition to its projects, the John Wick saga is experimenting with new formats. An animated prequel is currently in development, it will be directed by Shannon Tindle (Ultraman: Rising) and written by Vanessa Taylot (Game of Thrones, The Shape of Water). The story will focus on the "impossible task," a cryptic element in the first films that is mentioned several times. When he meets Helen, John wants to leave his past as a killer behind him. He then meets the head of the Russian mafia, who has agreed to grant his wish on the condition that he carry out one final mission. Keanu Reeves will provide the voice to tell this important part of the mythology.
At the same time, Lionsgate is working on a new spin-off with Donnie Yen as cast and director. The actor will reprise his character, who first appeared in John Wick 4 and who is far from having revealed all of his secrets. Here again, the release date remains a mystery. It remains to be seen whether it will be a success and whether audiences will still be passionate about the universe if these proposals don't completely evolve around John Wick.
Ballerina will undoubtedly be a large-scale test for the franchise. The film was pushed back a year for no apparent reason, other than rumors of disastrous test screenings. Reshoots of certain action scenes had been done, and even Ian McShane made a little comment on the BBC. Stahelski even rolled up his sleeves to, according to the actor who plays Winston, "protect the franchise." The film is due out on June 4th in theaters. It will feature John Wick, briefly. The character was also at the heart of the images shared a few days ago.
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