John Wick 5 Confirmed: Keanu Reeves Returns for the Franchise’s Most Explosive Chapter Yet

Fans of the Baba Yaga can finally breathe easy—Lionsgate has officially put “John Wick 5” into active development, confirming that Keanu Reeves and director Chad Stahelski are both attached to return. Studio chair Adam Fogelson broke the news during CinemaCon, emphasizing that the fifth chapter will grow organically out of the expanding Wick universe, which now includes the Ana de Armas-led spin-off “Ballerina” and the prequel series “The Continental”. Production timeline and possible release window While cameras aren’t expected to roll until late 2025 at the earliest, insiders suggest that Lionsgate is targeting a 2027 theatrical release to give Stahelski time to polish a script worthy of topping “Chapter 4’s” $440 million global haul. Scheduling also hinges on Reeves’ commitments to “Devil in the White City” and Stahelski’s adaptation of “Ghost of Tsushima.” Story and cast speculation Plot details remain locked away in the High Table’s archives, but industry chatter points to the franchise’s first globe-trotting post-New York setting, with Berlin and Osaka on the location shortlist. Ian McShane (Winston), Laurence Fishburne (Bowery King) and Shamier Anderson (Tracker) are all expected to reprise their roles. Donnie Yen has expressed interest in returning as Caine, opening the door for an alliance—or a rematch—between two of the series’ deadliest assassins. Creative direction Stahelski recently told Variety that he and Reeves are “taking a beat” to ensure the next installment raises the bar in stunt design and emotional stakes, hinting at fewer but longer action sequences that push practical effects even further. The director also teased the introduction of a female antagonist who “can go toe-to-toe with John physically and mentally,” fueling speculation that the studio is eyeing a major A-list casting announcement. Franchise synergy “Ballerina,” set between “Chapter 3” and “Chapter 4,” arrives in summer 2026 and is expected to feed narrative threads directly into “John Wick 5.” Meanwhile, a second season of “The Continental” is in early scripting, ensuring year-round visibility for the brand. Lionsgate’s marketing team is already planning a coordinated rollout of trailers, VR tie-ins, and a AAA video game adaptation to maximize audience engagement through 2027. Box-office outlook With the action genre relatively uncrowded in 2027 and international markets still hungry for Reeves’ stoic hitman, analysts project an opening weekend north of $120 million domestic, positioning “John Wick 5” to become the franchise’s first film to crack the coveted $1 billion global milestone. Bottom line The High Table may never be toppled, but the “John Wick” franchise shows no signs of slowing down. With Keanu Reeves reloading, Chad Stahelski choreographing new mayhem, and Lionsgate leveraging spin-offs to keep hype at a boil, “John Wick 5” is poised to deliver the franchise’s most ambitious chapter yet—one headshot at a time.