When Is ‘John Wick 4’ Coming Out? Co-Star Has Update on Keanu Reeves Sequel
John Wick 4 seemed like a no-brainer following the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum. While many fans went into the third film expecting the explosive conclusion to a trilogy, what they got was actually the start of something much bigger.
Following Parabellum‘s box office success, Lionsgate indeed confirmed that a fourth film was on the way, with Keanu Reeves, director Chad Stahelski, and writer Derek Kolstad in tow. Now, one of the series’ prominent supporting actors has offered an update on the sequel’s production.
‘John Wick 4’ is set for release in 2022
Initially planned for 2021, John Wick 4 was delayed to May 27, 2022, on account of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the extra time on its hands, Lionsgate offered fans of the series a bonus: the production would now work on developing John Wick 5 back-to-back with the fourth movie.
Speaking to Collider, Ian McShane gave an update on when John Wick 4 (and potentially, the fifth film as well) is expected to begin filming. McShane plays Winston in the John Wick films, the owner and operator of The Continental, a hotel for assassins.
“Keanu [Reeves] and I exchanged New Year’s greetings and said, ‘Hope to see you this year,'” McShane said. “I know the script is being written and they’re hoping to do it this year. I know they announced they were gonna do [‘John Wick 4’] and [‘John Wick 5’] together, but who knows. The studios announce all sorts of things. No doubt, at some point this year, we’re gonna do ‘John Wick 4.'”
Of course, things can and will always change, especially with COVID-19 cases back on the rise in many parts of the world. A lot of films and TV shows that had begun to resume production after the initial spread have had to shut down again in recent weeks.
Certainly, if John Wick 4 is unable to get in front of cameras before late 2021, another release delay might be in order. While not as laborious as bigger, effects-driven blockbusters, the John Wick films still require a significant post-production time frame.
It isn’t the only fourth entry that Reeves is working on
Before John Wick 4, Reeves is also set to return as Neo in The Matrix 4, which is likely to receive a more series-appropriate subtitle at some point. The sequel recently wrapped shooting following a significant delay due to the pandemic. It is currently set to release in theaters and on HBO Max around Christmas time later this year.
Little is known about the plot of the fourth entry at this stage, except that it will be set after the event of The Matrix Revolutions. Lana Wachowski returned to write and direct the film, with sister and collaborator Lilly Wachowski sitting it out this time around to focus on her Showtime series, Work in Progress, according to Slash Film.
Alongside Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss will be reprising her role as Trinity in the sequel. Jada Pinkett-Smith and Lambert Wilson will also be returning as Niobe and the Merovingian, characters introduced in the first two sequels.
