The Dead Don't Stay Dead in Hollywood
John Wick was buried at the end of Chapter 4. But in Hollywood, death is just a negotiating tactic. Lionsgate just confirmed John Wick 5—because of course they did. Because in an era of flailing box office returns, the studio needs a surefire hit. And Keanu Reeves, whether he likes it or not, is their golden ticket.
The Studio's Desperation Play
Lionsgate's 2024 has been a graveyard of failed blockbusters—The Crow, Borderlands, Megalopolis—all DOA. Meanwhile, John Wick: Chapter 4 raked in nearly $500 million worldwide. So, despite Reeves' insistence that Wick is “dead,” here we are.
Jenefer Brown, Lionsgate's Head of Global Products, teased the sequel at a Vegas preview event, saying:
“We're developing a fifth John Wick film… [John Wick] may be [dead]. We are all on baited breath waiting to find out.”
Translation: We'll resurrect him with a dump truck of money if we have to.
The Wick-Verse Expansion: Too Much of a Good Thing?
Lionsgate isn't just stopping at John Wick 5. They're going full Fast & Furious on this franchise:
- Ballerina (2024) – Ana de Armas as a deadly assassin.
- Caine – Donnie Yen directing and starring in a spin-off.
- Animated Prequel – Shannon Tindle (Kubo and the Two Strings) helming Wick's early High Table massacre.
This isn't world-building—it's world-milking. And if Star Wars and the MCU have taught us anything, oversaturation leads to diminishing returns.
The Keanu Conundrum
Reeves has been adamant: “The character is dead. He died.” But let's be real—if Lionsgate throws enough cash at him, he'll be back in the suit faster than you can say “Yeah, I'm thinking I'm back.”
The real question: Does John Wick 5 need to exist? Chapter 4 ended perfectly—Wick's arc felt complete. Bringing him back risks turning the franchise into a zombie, shambling forward long after it should've been laid to rest.
Closer: A Franchise at a Crossroads
Hollywood's obsession with IP is nothing new, but John Wick was once the rare franchise that earned its sequels. Now? It's veering into Matrix: Resurrections territory—a beloved series stretched too thin.
Will John Wick 5 be a triumphant return or a cynical cash-in? Either way, Lionsgate's betting you'll buy a ticket.
What do you think—should John Wick stay dead, or is there more story to tell?
