Action star Keanu Reeves recently shared his thoughts on the fate of his character in the upcoming John Wick 4, and it seems his ideas have cast a shadow over the prospects of John Wick 5.
Since its debut in 2014, the John Wick franchise has captivated audiences with its tale of a retired assassin pulled back into a world of vengeance and violence after a personal tragedy.
With three successful films under its belt, the franchise is now gearing up for the production of John Wick 5.
The main issue with John Wick 5 arises from Keanu Reeves’ desire for his character to meet a permanent end in John Wick 4.
In an interview with Collider, the franchise’s producer, Basil Iwanyk, revealed, “Keanu gets physically and emotionally drained making these films because it’s so grueling.”
He consistently expresses, “I can’t do this again,” by the end, and we understand his sentiment.”
Additionally, he shared Keanu’s wish for John Wick 4: “I want to be killed off completely at the end of the film.”
Consequently, Wick meets his demise at the conclusion of John Wick 4, leaving little chance for a return.
Whether Keanu Reeves will return for John Wick 5 remains uncertain, but his statements strongly suggest otherwise.
The actor appears visibly fatigued by the role, prioritizing his health over the continuation of the John Wick series, despite fans’ desires for his resurrection.
While Reeves’ return is more a matter of personal choice than a guarantee for audiences, the producers of John Wick may have laid the groundwork for his potential return, albeit under specific conditions.
The viability of John Wick 5 without Keanu Reeves is feasible.
With the conclusion of John Wick 4 wrapping up the character’s arc satisfactorily, the series isn’t burdened with any major unresolved issues.
This suggests that introducing a new protagonist wouldn’t be too challenging for the franchise.
Moreover, retaining other beloved characters from the series could help maintain continuity, even in Reeves’ absence, ensuring that the new installment retains the essence of its predecessors.
Despite the potential for John Wick 5 to proceed without Keanu Reeves, the reality is that it’s unlikely to do so.
While the creators of John Wick intended to offer Reeves alternatives, they inadvertently left the door open for his return, creating expectations among fans and pressure on Reeves himself.
The recent announcement by Lionsgate that they’ll only greenlight John Wick 5 with Reeves onboard further intensifies this pressure, placing Reeves in a difficult position.
Unfortunately, Reeves’ comments on John Wick 5 haven’t alleviated the situation.
While expressing openness to rejoining the franchise, he emphasized the need for an exceptionally compelling plot or motivation.
This not only raises expectations among fans but also suggests that producers must deliver something truly exceptional to entice Reeves back.
Even if John Wick 5 didn’t require these conditions, the door left open by John Wick 4 suggests otherwise.
If John Wick were to be resurrected, it wouldn’t be an insurmountable task.
While John Wick 4 depicts Wick’s burial, John Wick 5 could reveal that Wick, like Reeves, desired to leave the life of an assassin and staged his own death.
Wick survives his injuries and escapes, assuming a new identity despite his apparent demise.
This ironic twist in the plot aligns with Keanu Reeves’ sentiments about the franchise’s continuation, adding a layer of complexity to the situation.
Ultimately, Reeves will have to decide what’s best for him, whether it involves returning to the role of John Wick or pursuing other endeavors.