‘John Wick 5’ is officially in the works with Keanu Reeves, director Chad Stahelski

Actor Keanu Reeves poses for media during a photo-call to promote the movie ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’ in Berlin, May, Monday, 6, 2019.
| Photo Credit: JOERG CARSTENSEN

And you thought the Bogeyman was dead for good? After months of speculations, Lionsgate on Tuesday officially announced that John Wick 5 is in motion with lead star Keanu Reeves and franchise director Chad Stahelski. The news was announced by Lionsgate Motion Picture Group’s Adam Fogelson at the ComicCon.

“Keanu, Chad, Basil and Erica (Thunder Road producers Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee) would not return unless they had something truly phenomenal and fresh to say with these characters and this world. It’s so important to get this story right and give John’s story the proper next step. It’s exciting to take the first step on that road.,” said Fogelson, as quoted by Deadline.

ALSO READ: Keanu Reeves wanted John Wick to be killed at the end of ‘Chapter 4’, says producer

Reeves’ John Wick series kick-started in 2014 with the first John Wick film, which earned $86 million globally. As per Deadline, each of the successive films grossed more than the previous film, making it one of the most successful film franchises: John Wick: Chapter 2 with $174.3 million, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum with $328.3 million, and John Wick: Chapter 4 with a whopping $440 million.

Further, the makers also confirmed that the globally-renowned franchise is expanding to include an animated prequel film. With Reeves voice acting for Wick, the prequel will recount the origins of the popular assassin, as “he completes the Impossible Task — the killing of all of his rivals in one night — to free himself from his obligation to the High Table and earn the right to be with the love of his life, Helen. (Unfortunately, we all know how that turned out.)“ a logline reads.

Shannon Tindle, who recently directed Netflix’s Ultraman: Rising, is directing the animated prequel. Vanessa Taylor is penning the screenplay. Iwanyk Lee, Stahelski and Reeves also produce the animated prequel.

Meanwhile, the makers also officially confirmed Donnie Yen’s Caine spin-off, a project the star is also directing. The Batman II writer Mattson Tomlin is penning the screenplay of the film; Robert Askins wrote a previous draft. Iwanyk, Lee and Stahelski produce this film as well.

ALSO READ: ‘John Wick: Under The High Table’ sequel series in development with Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves

Said to be a film that is ‘stylistically modeled on the uniquely designed action films that Yen helped make famous,’ the spin-off will continue Caine’s character following the events of John Wick: Chapter 4. “The ‘John Wick’ films have set an immensely high standard for action filmmaking and I greatly appreciate Lionsgate giving me the opportunity to further elevate the franchise. I am both thrilled and deeply inspired to make this happen,” Deadline quoted Yen.

Meanwhile, fans of John Wick are now more eager to catch the upcoming Ana de Armas-led spin-off film, Ballerina, set to release on June 6. The film will feature Reeves as Wick in an extended cameo.