Not the most surprising news, but it seems that Chad Stahelski will be returning to guide John Wick (Keanu Reeves) once again for JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3. A report via The Hashtag Show, backed up by Collider, claims that Stahelski, who co-directed the first film alongside David Leitch before tackling the sequel solo, is now officially on-board the third installment. Bring on the well choreographed head-shots.
The Hashtag Show also states that principal photograph on JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 is expected to get underway on March 1st in New York City, with additional filming potentially taking place in Spain and Russia. It's also said that Cassian (Common), The Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne), and Ares (Ruby Rose) will be returning as well, but we'll toss a grain of salt in there until something more official is released. There's also been interest in casting Hiroyuki Sanada (THE WOLVERINE) as the villain, potentially the head of a Japanese crime syndicate, but Entertainment Weekly adds that these discussions are still in the very early stages as producers haven't made a formal offer yet and Sanada is wanting to read the script first.
Chad Stahelski told JoBlo last year that JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 may not necessarily be bigger than the previous two, but will hopefully be "more creative and different." Stahelski also mentioned a few of the elements he's hoping to explore in the threequel. "We are going to put in something about the High Table, how that all works," Stahelski said. "We’re going to put in something about where John comes from, and where he wants to go. I don’t want to say too much more, but it will be a nice completion to Mr Wick’s journey."
JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 is set for a May 17, 2019 release.