Creator Derek Kolstad reveals if John Wick could team up with the High Table in John Wick: Chapter 5, teasing the future of the franchise. Following the success of the first four films, anticipation for John Wick 5 is palpable. While much of the plot remains under wraps, Keanu Reeves and director Chad Stahelski, among others, have announced their return.
While the John Wick franchise gears up for spinoffs like Donnie Yen’s Caine series, fans are still eager for the next installment, especially after John Wick: Chapter 4 left the ᴀssᴀssin’s fate uncertain. Much of the film’s cast and story details are unknown, although Stahelski has confirmed the High Table won’t be John Wick 5’s focus, teasing a new story.
Now, in an exclusive interview with ScreenRant, Derek Kolstad talks about John Wick 5’s villain and team-ups. With the High Table no longer a “central antagonist,” Kolstad was asked if John Wick could be forced to work with them instead. Seeming to agree, Kolstad replied that he hopes the film has a team-up with someone “you were destined to hate.”
Check out his comments below:
What I think is interesting is, when you look at our favorite movies, you have good guys and bad guys at first. Then I remember watching Return of the Jedi in the theater, and when Darth Vader stands up and grabs the Emperor, I didn’t know as the 11-year-old [that the story] could do that, and every kid with me lost our s***.
[We were] just in kind of shock and awe, like, “Wait a minute.” And then he throws him off the side, and you have that father-son moment, right? You look at our favorite movies, [and] it’s you and me with guns on each other at the end of the first act, and [then it’s] you and me, at the beginning of the third act, back to back against the worst.
Ultimately, I hope this story goes in such a way where there’s a familiar face you were destined to hate, [and] you’re like, “Wait a minute. Oh, okay. It’s us versus them and them. F*** them.” So that’s where the thinking goes, and I wish them nothing but love, man.
What Derek Kolstad’s Comments Mean For John Wick 5
Kolstad’s comments seem to suggest that he wants John Wick 5 to break away from its traditional structure by embracing moral complexity and unexpected alliances. Instead of repeating the lone man versus the system formula, the film might pivot toward an “enemy of my enemy” scenario, as a reluctant team-up would redefine John’s arc while keeping the franchise fresh.
It’s interesting that Kolstad compared John Wick 5 to Return of the Jedi’s twist, with a character the audience was “destined to hate” turning into an ally. Therefore, we may see John Wick fighting alongside a former enemy against a greater, mutual threat. Kolstad’s comments don’t exactly confirm a High Table alliance, but they certainly leave the door open.
Why John Wick’s High Table Team-Up Could Be A Brilliant Move
The High Table is the shadowy governing body of the criminal underworld in the John Wick series, which ultimately controls everything from bounty contracts to the code of conduct among killers. Throughout the John Wick franchise, the High Table has served as the central antagonist, with John’s personal vendetta against them as a key driving force of his character arc.
Considering the High Table will not be the primary antagonist of John Wick 5, it makes sense people have speculated about a reluctant team-up with John Wick instead. After four films of fighting against the powerfully oppressive shadow organization, seeing John Wick possibly collaborate with the High Table would be a shocking but fascinating twist for John Wick 5.
Personally, there’s a certain allure to the idea. Despite being famous for its fast-paced action, John Wick has always had an emotional core and a collaboration with a hated enemy could bring depth to John Wick 5. Moreover, I think it could be really cool to see what Wick could do with the power of the High Table behind him.
