News that Keanu Reeves is on board for John Wick 5 had fans in disbelief, with many convinced it was an elaborate April Fools’ prank.
After speculation about the franchise’s future, John Wick: Chapter 5 is officially moving forward at Lionsgate, with Reeves reprising his iconic role and director Chad Stahelski back at the helm.
Lionsgate dropped the bombshell at CinemaCon on Tuesday, along with announcing the expansion of the action-packed universe—despite the previous film seemingly killing off the titular assassin.
Alongside John Wick 5, an animated prequel and a Donnie Yen-led spin-off centered on his character Caine are also in development.
These projects will complement the upcoming Ana de Armas-led Ballerina, hitting theaters on June 6, where Reeves is set to make an appearance before returning for John Wick 5.
While plot details, additional cast, and a release timeline remain under wraps, the shocking reveal sent fans into a frenzy online, with many skeptical it was even real.
News that Keanu Reeves is on board for John Wick 5 had fans in disbelief, with many convinced it was an elaborate April Fools’ prank; (seen in March)
After speculation about the franchise’s future , John Wick: Chapter 5 is officially moving forward at Lionsgate, with Reeves reprising his iconic role and director Chad Stahelski back at the helm
‘All media outlets are saying the same thing, this better not be a big April Fools joke that you all came up with,’ one fan tweeted, while another added, ‘Ok we get it. It’s April Fools.’
However, one user quickly shut down the doubts, tweeting, ‘This would be a real good April Fools joke but no folks ITS REAL.’
In a recent interview the actor sounded as if he had no plans to do another John Wick film, going as far as to imply Wick’s final demise in the last chapter after plugging the upcoming spin-off that stars Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro.
‘Well, there’s a version of it called Ballerina which is in the John Wick world, and John Wick makes a brief appearance. So other than that I have no idea,’ he told Extra TV about a fifth film late February.
When asked if he would be open to do more, he said: ‘You know, the character’s dead. He died in John Wick Chapter 4,’ all while smiling and laughing.
He went on to acknowledge he’s very much aware of Hollywood’s penchant to resurrect popular characters, but still insisted, ‘Right now? Right now there isn’t’ a plan for him to return.
In the franchise, Reeves plays the title role of John Wick, a retired hitman who’s built up a legendary reputation in the criminal underworld and is pulled back into the violent life against his will.
Directed by Chad Stahelski from a screenplay by Derek Kolstad, the original film also starred Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Adrianne Palicki, Bridget Moynahan, Dean Winters, Ian McShane, John Leguizamo and Willem Dafoe.
While plot details, additional cast, and a release timeline remain under wraps, the shocking reveal sent fans into a frenzy online, with many skeptical it was even real
Alongside John Wick 5, an animated prequel and a Donnie Yen-led spin-off centered on his character Caine are also in development
These projects will complement the upcoming Ana de Armas-led Ballerina , hitting theaters on June 6, where Reeves is set to make an appearance before returning for John Wick 5
It went on to become a hit at the worldwide box office, grossing $86 million against a budget of $20–30 million.
Stahelski and Kolstad teamed up again for the first sequel three years later, with Moynahan, Leguizamo and McShane reprising their roles, along with new cast members Common, Laurence Fishburne, Ruby Rose, Lance Reddick, Peter Stormare and Franco Nero.
John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017) ended up doing even better at the box office, raking in $171.5 million from a budget of about $40 million.
Stahelski returned to the director’s chair for John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019), only this time working from a screenplay by Kolstad, Shay Hatten, Chris Collins and Marc Abrams, and featuring new cast members Halle Berry, Mark Dacascos, Anjelica Huston and Asia Kate Dillon.
![Asked about another stint as John Wick, Reeves told Extra TV: 'You know, the character's dead. He died in John Wick Chapter 4', adding 'Right now? Right now there isn't [a plan]'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/03/12/21/96125451-14491869-Asked_about_another_stint_as_John_Wick_Reeves_told_Extra_TV_You_-a-105_1741813763870.jpg)
Asked about another stint as John Wick, Reeves told Extra TV: ‘You know, the character’s dead. He died in John Wick Chapter 4’, adding ‘Right now? Right now there isn’t [a plan]’
Following the trend of the first two movies, Chapter 3 topped both of the previous installments in regards to moneymaking, earning a whopping $327.3 million against a budget of $75 million.
Reeves returned for Chapter 4 with such cast regulars as Ian McShane (Winston), the late Lance Reddick (Charon) and Laurence Fishburne (Bowery King).
Continuing its upward trend at the box office, it went on to gross a staggering $440.1 million while working with a budget of about $100 million.
From The World Of John Wick: Ballerina, which takes place sometime during the events of the third film, is slated to premiere in theaters on June 6.