Keanu Reeves is officially coming back for more John Wick movies, as he’s now going to be part of two additional projects. When John Wick died in John Wick: Chapter 4‘s ending, the biggest question on everyone’s mind was whether that was really the end of his story and Reeves’ time playing the hitman. The fourth film gave John Wick a beautiful conclusion after another action-packed adventure. And with the franchise expanding to do more spinoffs, it became a real possibility that Keanu Reeves could be done with John Wick as the main star.
The uncertainty around his franchise future was put on hold after confirmation that he’d be back in Ballerina, Ana de Armas’ upcoming spinoff. But, there were also constant reports that John Wick 5 could happen, which would only be possible if John Wick’s death was undone. Keanu Reeves even cast doubt on John Wick 5 happening one month ago due to his character’s fate. The possibility of him never playing John Wick again after Ballerina seemed unlikely even after those comments. Yet, the confirmation of how he’s returning to the franchise is bigger than expected.
Keanu Reeves Is Officially Returning For A John Wick Prequel & John Wick 5
Yeah, He’s Back Again
As part of Lionsgate’s CinemaCon 2025 presentation, which Screen Rant was in attendance for, the studio officially confirmed two more John Wick movies are coming that will include Keanu Reeves’ character. This came through the announcement of a John Wick prequel that is expected to have the actor return to voice the hitman in animation. Lionsgate also confirmed that John Wick 5 is in development with the intention of telling the next chapter in John Wick’s story.
Details on both movies are sparse, given how freshly announced they are. Still, the decision to do two more movies focused on John Wick means that Keanu Reeves will be back for both. Even with the prequel being animated, having anyone other than Keanu voice John Wick would be foolish. No one would accept another person voicing the character at this point. There’s also certainty that the franchise star will be back for John Wick 5 with the early tease that it will continue his story, which only makes sense given the movie is named after him.
John Wick’s Prequel Story Allows Keanu Reeves To Return In Animation
Two Elements Make Keanu Reeves’ Return Possible
The announcement of a John Wick animated prequel will more easily utilize Keanu Reeves as John Wick again. The project is set to explore the impossible task that John Wick completed to free himself from the ᴀssᴀssin underworld so he could live a happy life with his wife, Helen. It’s unclear exactly how long ago this event takes place in the John Wick timeline, but it is definitively before the original movie. The prequel setting alone helps simplify Keanu Reeves’ return, as John Wick is still very much alive.
It also helps that the John Wick prequel is animated. Depending on the exact nature of when the story is set, doing this story in live-action may have required recasting John Wick with a younger actor. Keanu Reeves is irreplaceable as John Wick, and even though he’s still an excellent action star, he could not pᴀss for the younger John Wick who will be at the center of this story in a live-action setting. By telling the story in animation, Keanu Reeves can return with ease and provide the voice of his younger ᴀssᴀssin.
Keanu Reeves’ John Wick 5 Return Seemingly Confirms John Wick Didn’t Die In Chapter 4
He Has To Be Alive Now
The announcement of Keanu Reeves’ return for John Wick 5 is not a major surprise on the production front. The movie was never going to happen without him in the lead role, as there is no John Wick or his storyline without him. The biggest question was how John Wick 5 would justify bringing him back after what looked to be a certain death in John Wick 4. While it’s known that Keanu Reeves will be back, exactly how John Wick 5 will explain his return is unconfirmed.
For the moment, the most likely explanation is that John Wick never really died in John Wick 4. All we saw was him fall over on the steps after killing Marquis de Gramont and then his tombstone. There was always an element of uncertainty surrounding his death, and that’s likely to be how John Wick 5 explains it. John Wick didn’t die but used his “death” as an opportunity to start anew and get out of the hitman game once more. Of course, John Wick 5‘s development suggests that it also will not last, if that is the case.
There is still a world, albeit an unlikely one, where John Wick’s death remains intact for John Wick 5. A prequel setting could secretly be in the plan. There have even been some fun supernatural suggestions that the fifth film would follow John Wick in the afterlife. It remains to be seen exactly what form the fifth film takes, but Keanu Reeves is back in the John Wick franchise and here to stay for the foreseeable future.
John Wick
- Created by
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Derek Kolstad
- First Film
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John Wick
- Latest Film
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John Wick: Chapter 4
- Upcoming Films
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From the World of John Wick: Ballerina
- First TV Show
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The Continental
Summary
“John Wick” is a neo-noir action-thriller franchise centered around a retired hitman who returns to the criminal underworld to seek vengeance. Known for its intense and stylistic action sequences, the franchise has redefined modern action cinema with its choreographed gunfights, hand-to-hand combat, and intricate world-building. The series explores themes of loyalty, honor, and survival in a secret society of ᴀssᴀssins.
