The JOHN WICK franchise has proven to be a true blessing for its star, Keanu Reeves. When the first film was released in 2014, the movie pretty much revived his action movie career and started a franchise that I don't even think he saw coming. We are now three movies deep with spin-offs planned and a fourth and fifth film that is attempting to be shot back to back. Reeves just recently turned 56 the other day and some may question how much left he has in him for action films that are this daunting and in regards to the JOHN WICK franchise, Reeves offered some insight as to long he'd like to play the titular role.
According to Reeves himself during an interview with "OK Magazine", it seems like he wants to deliver the action until he drops. When asked how long he plans to play the role of John Wick Reeves said "As far as my legs can take me. As far as the audience wants to go." It's a short and sweet answer but a definitive one that indicates that Reeves is all in on the films until he physically can't anymore or until moviegoers start to grow weary of the character.
Lionsgate has already confirmed that JOHN WICK 4 is happening and they have already greenlit JOHN WICK 5, with hopes to shoot them back to back if Reeves' THE MATRIX 4 schedule permits. Director Chad Stahelski has recently been discussing the future of the popular franchise and his intention is to make sure the fourth film is as good as it can be before diving into the fifth film:
"We're going to write a really good number four. If a really good number four feels solid to Keanu and I, we'll make that one. That doesn't mean we won't plan on a five or start writing five, but we want to make sure we have a solid story."
Stahelski also knows that some stress comes to making movies back to back and he wants to make sure he doesn't stretch himself too thin:
"The worst thing you can do is 'I got five ideas. I'm going to put two in number four and put three in number five', I don't want to try and stretch into two movies. I want to have solid ideas. So, we're attacking number four with everything we have. If there's anything left on the table, we'll fully attack number five."
Do you know who's not stretching himself too thin? Keanu Reeves! At 56, he seems to be at the top of his game embracing his inner action star or embracing his inner slacker in the just-released BILL & TED FACE THE MUSIC. I've always been a fan of Keanu Reeves and I'm a full supporter of the "Keanu Renaissance" so if he feels like he has some more in him and if the quality is still good, I say go for it.
JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 is expected to hit screens on May 27, 2022, and will likely pick up where we last left Wick in CHAPTER 3. The last we saw, our put-upon hitman was joining forces with Laurene Fishburne's Bowery King and they were hellbent on taking their fight directly to the High Table. Hopefully, Halle Berry's Sofia comes back for more action because we definitely need more of her.
How long would YOU like to see Keanu Reeves play John Wick?