Director Chad Stahelski recently revealed that he and his team are actively discussing John Wick 5 and exploring several story versions. While there hasn’t been any official confirmation, Stahelski mentioned that he has come up with multiple versions for a potential fifth installment. However, any future film would take a different direction from John Wick: Chapter 4.
Chad Stahelski says he has ‘three or four versions of a John Wick 5’
During an interaction with The Hollywood Reporter, Chad Stahelski, co-director of John Wick, revealed that he has developed “three or four versions of a John Wick 5” over the past few years. He stated, “They were different ways to crack the story, but it’s almost a mental exercise for me.” Despite having ideas, there are no plans to directly follow the storyline from John Wick: Chapter 4. “As far as [John Wick: Chapter 4], we’ve peaked. At least, I have. That’s my apex,” Stahelski added.
While the possibility of another installment remains open, the director clarified that any future film would not aim to surpass Chapter 4’s conclusion. “We wouldn’t try to outdo it. It’d have to be a completely different storyline,” he explained. Stahelski believes that Chapter 4 provided closure for John Wick’s character.
The filmmaker’s focus is on preserving the franchise’s core elements. He remarked, “Look, sometimes, we’ll keep things in development, whether it’s for money or creativity.” The success of John Wick: Chapter 4, which reportedly earned around $440 million worldwide, shows the audience’s interest, but Stahelski is cautious about respecting the narrative.
In another insight into the making of John Wick, Stahelski and co-director David Leitch also fought to keep the pivotal scene of John Wick’s dog’s death, despite studio concerns that it was “bad luck” and potentially alienating. Stahelski credited Keanu Reeves for supporting the decision, saying, “Keanu stood up for us,” ensuring the scene stayed in the film.
