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Baba Yaga Never Truly Leaves
Some legends manage to outlive even the most permanent of farewells, and apparently John Wick is one of them. Ever since audiences witnessed that cryptic ending to John Wick: Chapter 4, with Keanu Reeves’ lethal assassin meeting his supposed demise—and receiving a burial without anybody actually visible—rumors have persisted that the franchise might pull off a resurrection. The filmmakers never completely shut the door, either. For years, cast and crew alike have repeated that the story could continue if and only if there was a compelling reason to bring Wick back.
Despite that fourth installment heavily implying that Wick had finally met his match, many fans suspected that an off-screen miracle could keep him alive. Now it seems that suspicion was warranted. According to fresh reports from CinemaCon in Las Vegas—an annual showcase where studios impress theater owners with exclusive clips and announcements—Lionsgate has decided to forge ahead with a currently-untitled John Wick 5. The official confirmation brings closure to months of speculation about whether the Baba Yaga truly died, and it reaffirms that the series is anything but finished.
Those who followed the production of Chapter 4 remember the creative team’s cautious optimism about continuing the saga. They repeatedly mentioned that they had no plans to proceed unless they had a genuinely thrilling idea that justified another sequel. Evidently, they found exactly what they needed. Keanu Reeves will reprise his role as the unstoppable hitman, although details remain scarce about how the narrative will explain his resurrection. Regardless of story specifics, fans’ anticipation is likely to go through the roof now that the next chapter has been officially greenlit.
Expanding the Wick Universe
Although John Wick 5 is the headliner, it isn’t the only major development. Two additional spin-offs are also on the way, offering a deeper look into the corners of this dangerous underworld. Lionsgate confirms that one of these side projects will revolve around Donnie Yen’s memorable character, Caine, who became a standout presence in Chapter 4. In a fascinating twist, Yen will not only star in but also direct the film. Given his awesome martial arts background and onscreen charisma, fans are eager to see how he’ll broaden the lore surrounding Caine’s backstory.
On a separate front, John Wick is poised to make the jump into anime. Late last year, news emerged that an animated prequel film had entered development. Its primary goal? To chronicle a younger version of Wick, presumably long before he was ‘excommunicado and battling legions of hitmen around the globe. Ultraman: Rising director Shannon Tindle will take the helm, while Game of Thrones veteran Vanessa Taylor will handle the script. This creative team promises a fresh perspective, one that highlights Wick’s early experiences—and, perhaps, sheds light on his fabled affection for dogs in a whole new medium.
The John Wick franchise has always reveled in pushing action boundaries with meticulously choreographed fight scenes and unrelenting peril. Each new title has expanded the lore of this world, from the Continental’s precise rules to the mythic status Wick has attained among his enemies. According to Lionsgate, both the Caine-centric movie and the anime prequel remain firmly in production, ensuring that fans will have no shortage of bullet-riddled content to enjoy in the coming years. The question that remains is whether John Wick 5 can maintain the same electric energy that defined its predecessors, especially when it has to bring its deadly hero back from the brink.
Promise of the Future
There’s no doubt that John Wick’s story has grown to become a massive pop culture phenomenon, spawning comics, video games, and now multiple spin-offs. With fresh installments on the horizon, the franchise shows no signs of slowing. Whether you’re a newcomer who only discovered Chapter 4 in theaters or a diehard who’s been following Wick since he first sought vengeance for his beloved puppy, the promise of more lethal showdowns, stylish hitmen, and irresistible world-building stands. And if the past films have taught us anything, it’s that you can’t keep a truly legendary killer down for long. The John Wick universe has an uncanny knack for inviting us back, no matter how definitive each goodbye may appear.
Fans will recall that the repeated phrase “Be seein’ you” has woven its way through all four previous films, hinting at a future beyond the seemingly conclusive events of John Wick: Chapter 4. Although that installment staged a poetic send-off for Keanu Reeves’ bulletproof-suited assassin, the realities of franchise filmmaking mean that stories never truly end when there’s more to explore—and more money to be made. Lionsgate recognizes that potential, and the news of a fifth chapter suggests that Reeves and director Chad Stahelski have settled on a worthy script to justify bringing Wick back for another perilous mission. Very little is known about the film’s storyline or who else will join the cast, but the mere promise of one more high-octane rampage—and a whole lot of headshots—has already caused waves of excitement.
Spin-Offs on the Way
Financial considerations aside, it’s impossible to ignore how keen Lionsgate is to keep the Wick brand flourishing. The franchise has been a reliable engine of success since the original’s release, proving that intense choreography, relentless pacing, and stylish aesthetics can still pack theaters. Though Chapter 4 might have offered closure, the appetite for more John Wick was never in doubt. Now, the confirmation that Keanu Reeves will return has fueled widespread speculation about exactly how the story will account for the previous finale. Whatever shape the new plot takes, it’s clear that the creative team believes there is untapped potential worth mining—enough to give Wick new targets and fans fresh reasons to cheer.
While John Wick 5 headlines the latest announcements, Lionsgate also revealed additional expansions that will further immerse viewers in this lethal underworld. The studio hasn’t played coy about its intentions: building the Wick name into a sprawling saga full of side stories and other intriguing corners. Two major spin-offs are currently slated, following in the footsteps of The Continental on Peacock and the upcoming Ballerina. Though The Continental didn’t quite capture widespread attention and was greeted with negative reception by some, the studio remains undeterred. That project may have been a misstep, but it proved Lionsgate’s readiness to venture into new formats and platforms to keep the buzz going.
Past Experiments and Lessons Learned
Timing can be everything in the film industry, and the release of The Continental may not have been ideal. Despite brand recognition, the streaming series didn’t generate the kind of fan fervor the mainline movies enjoy. Viewed by fewer people than expected, its underwhelming response highlighted the challenge of capitalizing on a beloved property without the stars and spectacle that first made it successful. Nonetheless, this stumble hasn’t soured Lionsgate on the broader idea of spin-offs—only encouraged them to refine their strategy. Future expansions might avoid repeating the same mistakes, especially given the company’s willingness to experiment with different tones, timelines, and characters from the Wick canon.
Hopes now rest on Ballerina, set for release later this year, to reignite fan enthusiasm. Featuring Ana de Armas as a fierce killer in her own right, the film could act as a bridge between the main franchise and a new potential storyline. The presence of Keanu Reeves in a cameo appearance as John Wick will no doubt spark curiosity and draw viewers, ensuring that this side story retains its ties to the world of elaborate contract killings and strict underworld codes. The broader fan community is eager to see whether Ballerina can seamlessly link the drama of a fresh protagonist to the established realm of John Wick, making it a decisive test for how well these offshoots can stand alongside the core series.
All-In at CinemaCon
At this year’s CinemaCon in Las Vegas, Lionsgate showed unmistakable confidence in the property by doubling—and even tripling—down on future Wick-driven content. Industry insiders know this event is a massive deal: studios pull out all the stops to wow theater owners with exclusive previews and headline-making announcements. By unveiling John Wick 5 and two new spin-offs, the studio signaled it’s going “all in” on its signature brand. The overriding question now is whether the market can sustain such a flurry of Wick projects released in rapid succession. If the fervor for never-ending bullet ballets holds steady, Lionsgate’s big bet could yield massive returns; if not, they might discover that even the unstoppable John Wick has his limits.
Looking ahead, the fate of the ever-expanding ‘Wickverse’ hinges on fans’ continuing appetite for tense showdowns, neon-lit action, and Keanu Reeves’ steely grimaces. Cynics might note that each new project risks diluting the brand, but optimists believe there’s plenty of material left to keep the saga fresh. Lionsgate has clearly decided to hedge its bets on the latter perspective. Ballerina will soon test the spin-off waters in earnest, and John Wick 5 promises another epic showcase of lethal skill. Until then, all eyes remain on this legendary assassin who just can’t seem to stay buried—and the many ways his universe will keep evolving in the months and years to come.
