The John Wick franchise is putting a hit out on wallets this Friday as it becomes a billion-dollar earner globally. The John Wick franchise stands tall, with $1.011 billion across four chapters worth of spectacular stunts, stylish action, and nail-biting cliffhangers for its leading boogeyman. The latest installment, John Wick: Chapter 4, is still making money at the box office before arrive on digital on May 23rd and 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on June 13, with $425 million.
Unlike other franchises that could experience a downturn with each chapter, the John Wick franchise is more successful with every new film. Chapter 4 cost the studio $100 million to produce. However, $425 million more than makes up for the cost, lining the pockets of studio executives and creatives in charge of the John Wick narrative.
“This milestone is a testament to the incredible work of Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves, alongside Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, who have made it their mission to outdo themselves with each successive film in this franchise,” Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Joe Drake said. “We could not be more grateful to global moviegoers for bringing us to this incredible achievement.”
In addition to the flagship John Wick movies, the franchise will expand with Ballerina starring Ana de Armas, Keanu Reeves, Lance Reddick, Ian McShane, Norman Reedus, Gabriel Byrne, Anjelica Huston, and Catalina Sandino Moreno. Len Wiseman (Underworld, Total Recall) directs from a script by Shay Hatten (Army of the Dead, Day Shift). Ballerina focuses on a young woman (Ana de Armas) with killer skills who sets out for revenge when assassins kill her family. You know, that old chestnut.
Another John Wick-related project is The Continental. The three-part prequel series follows a young Winston (Colin Woodell) through the underworld of ’70s New York, where he will battle demons from his past as he attempts to seize control of the iconic hotel. This hotel serves as a meeting point for the world’s most dangerous criminals.
Woodell’s Winston is joined in the cast by Mel Gibson (Lethal Weapon) as Cormac; newcomer Ayomide Adegun as a young Charon, the character Lance Reddick played in the films; Ben Robson (Animal Kingdom) as Frankie; Hubert Point-Du Jour (The Good Lord Bird) as Miles; Jessica Allain (Texas Chainsaw Massacre) as Lou; Mishel Prada (Riverdale) as KD; Nhung Kate (The Housemaid) as Yen; Katie McGrath (Jurassic World) as The Adjudicator; Sallay Garnett (Conversations with Friends) as The Concierge; Ray McKinnon (Deadwood) as Jenkins; and Peter Greene (Pulp Fiction) as Uncle Charlie, based on the body disposal expert from the films.
Do you think the John Wick franchise has a bright future, or will the adrenaline begin to fizzle out sooner rather than later? Feel free to share your opinion in the comments.