John Wick 5 Confirmed: Director Promises a Very Different Story Beyond the High Table's Reign

Okay, let us talk about this. Is John Wick really gone, or is there much more to his story? After Lionsgate told everyone at CinemaCon 2025 that a fifth John Wick film is officially happening, it is hard not to let your mind race. We are all wondering what Keanu Reeves might do next as the assassin who seemed to meet his end. It did not feel like Akira was ready to give up yet. And it seems Lionsgate is not giving up on what the future holds for our favorite vengeful hitman.

For a while now, whispers of a fifth film have been floating around. But now it is official. This is big news for fans who thought John's journey was over after the fourth movie. That ending left us all wondering. But now we know that there is more to come. This makes me happy, because I was not quite ready to say goodbye to the Baba Yaga just yet. His story feels like it has more chapters to write.

Director Chad Stahelski, who has been steering the whole franchise, recently spoke to Empire. He said that John Wick 5 will be very different from the other Movies. The reason is that the whole High Table storyline has reached its natural conclusion. It is time for something new. He explained that "The saga of John Wick was pretty wrapped up." So for a fifth film, they need "a new story that involves John Wick." He made it clear it is not a continuation with the High Table. "John dealt with his grief," Stahelski added. He believes everyone will see the trailer and say, "Holy fk... I gotta go see that." This sounds exciting, hinting that Wick might face a new type of enemy or a new kind of challenge entirely.

What Does Chad Stahelski's Vision For John Wick 5 Really Mean For The Franchise?

Exploring The Director's Plans To Shift The Focus Beyond The High Table's Influence

Stahelski’s comments suggest a significant shift for the franchise. The High Table has been the driving force behind much of John Wick's problems. It has been the big, shadowy organization pulling all the strings. With that story feeling done, it means John might not be fighting off endless waves of assassins trying to collect a bounty anymore. Instead, he could be facing something more personal, or perhaps a completely new kind of threat that has nothing to do with the rules he has lived by for so long. This could be good, because as much as I love the action, a fresh direction keeps things from getting old.

This decision also shows a confidence in the character of John Wick himself. It is not just about the rules or the world's structure anymore. It is about John. What drives him? What does he do when the primary reason for his return to the assassin life is gone? He has dealt with his grief, or at least started to. So what is next for a man who is the best at what he does but now has less of a clear purpose? I found myself wondering about this after Chapter 4, and it seems the filmmakers are thinking about it too.

Stahelski also mentioned that the John Wick TV show and the animated film are big priorities. He wants to use these projects to "try some things and explore some threads." These properties will "catapult us forward into the ideas for John 5." This means these spin-offs are not just side stories. They are important for setting up the main film series. It is a smart way to expand the universe and test out new ideas or characters that might appear in the next main movie. It sounds like a lot of thought is going into building this world out properly.

How Ballerina And Other Spin-Offs Might Connect To The Main John Wick Story

Looking At The Upcoming Projects That Will Pave The Way For John Wick's Next Chapter

The next project from this world hitting theaters is Ballerina, starring Ana de Armas. This film debuts on June 6. It takes place after the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and before Chapter 4. Ana de Armas plays Eve Macarro, an assassin-in-training from the Ruska Roma organization. She is seeking revenge after her father's death. Interestingly, Keanu Reeves will appear in Ballerina, reprising his role as John Wick. He will even have a direct fight scene with Eve. This makes me excited to see how their paths cross and what kind of relationship they will have.

Ana de Armas herself spoke about a potential appearance in John Wick: Chapter 5. She expressed strong enthusiasm, saying she "would love that. Why not? I mean, they already know each other, right? Like, why wouldn't it? I would love that. That would be amazing." While she did not confirm anything, her comments show she is open to joining the main films beyond Ballerina. It makes sense for Eve to appear again since she will have established ties to John Wick and the criminal underworld. Their shared connection to the Ruska Roma could make for a compelling partnership, or maybe even a new rivalry. It is fun to think about where their stories might go.

Besides Ballerina, there is also the Under the High Table TV series and an animated prequel film. The TV show and animated project will explore different parts of the John Wick universe. These will help to build up the story for John Wick 5. It is a sign that the creators are thinking long-term about this franchise. They want to make sure there is a solid foundation for future stories. This means we will have plenty of John Wick content to enjoy while we wait for the next big movie.

Addressing The Ending Of John Wick: Chapter 4 And His Possible Return

Why The Baba Yaga's Apparent Demise Does Not Mean The End Of His Story

The ending of John Wick: Chapter 4 left many fans wondering if John was truly gone. He appeared to die on the steps of the Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Paris. But the movie does not show his official death. This means Stahelski could easily continue the story after the events in Chapter 4. He would not have to worry about de-aging techniques for Keanu Reeves. He could also introduce a new antagonist for John to face. I think many of us hoped he would not actually be dead.

Keanu Reeves is confirmed to return for John Wick 5. This alone suggests that John Wick is indeed still alive. The franchise has a history of pulling surprises. It would not be the first time a character who seemed to be out of the picture makes a return. Fans have pointed out the lack of a clear, definitive death scene. This leaves plenty of room for John to reappear. I believe this ambiguity was intentional. It left the door open for future stories without taking away from the emotional impact of the Chapter 4 ending.

While some loyal fans feel that John's ending in Chapter 4 was perfect, and a fitting conclusion to his journey, I think there is still more to tell. John Wick has become a legendary figure. There are so many questions about his past and what he does when he is not fighting the High Table. Exploring his beginnings through a prequel or seeing him deal with new threats in a world without the High Table's direct influence feels right. It allows the franchise to grow without undoing what made the previous films so special. It means we get to spend more time in this dark, stylish world we have come to love.