Keanu Reeves return for John Wick 5 doesn’t need to undo the тιтular ᴀssᴀssin’s death in Chapter 4. While most franchises are diminishing returns critically (and often in box-office returns, too), the John Wick movies are an unusual case. Each entry has been consistently bigger than the last, and the popularity of the saga only increases with time. The ending of John Wick: Chapter 4 seemed to wrap up John’s journey, with the “Baba Yaga” dying from his many wounds following a pistol duel in Paris.

The huge success of Chapter 4 means Lionsgate is in no hurry to turn off the money tap. There are several John Wick spinoffs on the horizon, including the Ana de Armas-led Ballerina and an animated prequel, explaining John’s “impossible” final job. Now it’s confirmed that Reeves and director Chad Stahelski will return for John Wick 5, though what the story will be – or how Wick will be resurrected – has yet to be revealed. Perhaps there’s a way to make the sequel that doesn’t undo Wick’s demise, though.

John Wick 5 Could Reveal That John Didn’t Die After Chapter 4’s Paris Duel

Chapter 5 could get real creative with the John Wick timeline

The finale of John Wick: Chapter 4 saw Reeves’ ᴀssᴀssin forced to duel against old friend Caine (Donnie Yen), with the latter representing High Table member the Marquis de Gramont (Bill Skarsgård). Due to some creative thinking, Wick succeeded in killing the Marquis whilst also obeying the rules. Still, Wick seemed to perish from his injuries a short time later. John’s death was a shocker to many, as the character (and franchise) seemed unkillable. Still, a lot of viewers began questioning whether Wick truly died or if he faked it.

One thing to remember is that John Wick: Chapter 4 gives no indication of how much time has pᴀssed between the Paris duel and Winston (Ian McShane) and the Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne) visiting Wick’s grave. It seems like days, but Chapter 5 could prove that wrong. John Wick 5 could reveal John survived his Paris injuries and was nursed back to health – just as he was in the time between Chapters 3 and 4.

The fifth installment could see John sent on one last mission before finally being killed and buried alongside his wife, as seen in Chapter 4’s final scene. Considering the fact that both Reeves and Stahelski intended the fourth film to be the end for John, this piece of timeline manipulation might be the lesser evil when it comes to bringing the character back. It would mean that Chapter 4’s graveyard scene was still for real – it’s just how Wick got there that will change.

John Wick: Chapter 4’s Funeral Scene Could Take Place Months Or Years After The Paris Duel

Chapter 4’s ending was wise not to put a timestamp on itself

After Wick seemingly dies in Paris, Chapter 4’s finale then cuts to New York, where Winston and the Bowery King bid the late hitman farewell. The way the sequel is cut, it feels like only a week has pᴀssed, at best. There is no actual indication of how much time has gone by, though; this moment could be months or even years later. This would give John Wick 5 the chance to be an inbetween-quel set in the aftermath of the Paris duel and building up to the тιтular killer’s death.

There would be a question of who, exactly, John would be fighting if he survived Chapter 4. Winning the duel freed him of his High Table troubles, and it’s doubtful Wick would take the time to heal before immediately returning to work. That said, there are probably powerful figures who would want revenge on Wick for his various rampages, so he won’t run out of enemies to fight.

John Wick 5 Could Be Another Midquel Like Ballerina

The John Wick spinoff takes place during the events of Chapter 3

From the World of John Wick: Balleria will be the first true test of the franchise’s legs without Reeves in the main role. Of course, Wick will still appear, with the ᴀssᴀssin being dispatched to take out Ana de Armas’ character when she creates havoc in a remote town. The trailers for Ballerina make it clear Reeves is playing a supporting role, though Wick will have a bigger role than many expected. The spinoff itself takes place during John Wick: Chapter 3, between Wick leaving New York in the first act and his return in the finale.

Chapter 3 again did not indicate how much time had pᴀssed between trips, so Ballerina was able to take advantage of this gap in the timeline. John Wick 5 could opt for the same approach to Wick’s death. Again, there’s nothing to say that Chapter 4’s grave scene isn’t a long time after the duel and that John had another bloody misadventure between entries. Of course, there are other options.

John Wick 5 could reveal he did indeed fake his death with Winston’s help – or that he’s actually resurrected through some bizarre underworld ritual. All of these approaches come with risks, but it again feels like slotting another sequel into the timeline before Wick’s death is the best approach.

John Wick 5 Would Need To Have A More Definitive Ending For The Midquel Trick To Work

How much longer can Keanu Reeves’ knees hold out?

Both Reeves and Stahelski sounded adamant that Wick would eventually die as a result of his actions and that beating the High Table was an impossible task. With John Wick: Chapter 4, the character did technically beat the High Table – just at the cost of his own life. That feels like the finale the series was always heading towards, but bringing Wick back to life risks undermining that. Making John Wick 5 a midquel that slides one last mission into the timeline before his demise can work, but only with the understanding that the fifth entry is the definitive end.

Keanu Reeves himself appeared reluctant to agree to another sequel, both because of the strength of Chapter 4 and the fact each film exacts a painful physical toll. He may not look it, but Reeves is in his 60s now, and the John Wick movies require him to pull off feats that would be hard for actors half his age. Returning for John Wick 5 and the prequel may have come with the understanding that they would be Reeves’ official exit from the series.

If John Wick 5 does pull Ballerina’s midquel trick, that would commit the sequel to building up to his death. It might even make it more of an event if audiences know for sure that Chapter 5 will be Reeves’ last swing with one of his most iconic roles. ᴀssuming Ballerina is a hit, the franchise could also continue in other forms, too.