One upcomingJohn Wickmovie set to release in June will feature Keanu Reeves playing his titular character, but unless the franchise makes some major changes, it will be his last appearance. Since theending ofJohn Wick: Chapter 4included John’s death, Keanu Reeves' future with the franchise has been uncertain. There have long been rumors, conflicting reports, and tentative plans forJohn Wick 5, but a sequel starring Reeves is far from guaranteed. For example,Reeves often offers updates onJohn Wick 5that are less than hopeful, and he’s made it clear that he’s content with how John’s story ended.
UnlessJohn Wick 5does happen - and it actually retcons the ending ofJohn Wick 4and John’s death - Keanu Reeves' time with the franchise is almost over. That is, besides oneupcomingJohn Wickmoviethat’s already confirmed to feature the legendary hitman. Keanu Reeves will be playing John Wick again inBallerina, Ana de Armas' upcoming spinoff, and it may well be the last time he ever gets to put on the suit and tie.
How Keanu Reeves Is Back As John Wick In Ballerina After The Character Died
Ballerina Takes Place Before John Wick 4, & The Titular Assassin Trains Ana de Armas' Eve
While John did die inJohn Wick: Chapter 4, there’s a very simple reason he’s able to appear inBallerina.Ballerinatakes place betweenJohn Wick: Chapter 3 - ParabellumandJohn Wick4, in the months when John was injured and recovering with the Bowery King. As such,Ballerinais effectively a mid-quel in theJohn Wicktimeline, and John will still be alive and (mostly) well during the film. That also means thatBallerinawon’t have to either double down on or confirm John’s death, and it can instead focus more on Ana de Armas' character, Eve.
Along with the fact that Keanu Reeves’John Wick will be inBallerina, we also know a few things about why he’s in the spinoff movie.Eve is a former member of the Ruska Roma crime syndicate, which John was also formerly part of, and John agrees to train her as an assassin. Atrailer forBallerinaeven shows that John will have an action scene, and he’ll likely provide Eve with both practical knowledge and pearls of wisdom. However, that may be all that Reeves' John has left to do in theJohn Wickfranchise.
Ballerina Could Be John Wick’s Final Appearance If John Wick 5 Doesn’t Happen
John Wick’s Other Upcoming Projects May Not Include Keanu Reeves
Ballerinadefinitely has the next appearance of Keanu Reeves as John Wick, but it may also feature his final appearance.Ballerinais only able to use John without changingJohn Wick 4’s ending because it takes place between movies. Other upcomingJohn Wickspinoffs, however, all take place after John’s death.UnlessJohn Wick 5retcons John’s death,Ballerinacurrently looks like the last time Reeves will play the character, barring any new spinoffs. There’s also a fairly likely chance thatJohn Wick 5never happens at all, which would take away Reeves' last chance to play John again.
Keanu Reeves' John Wick Replacement Can’t Happen Unless One Specific Condition Is Met
Ana de Armas' Ballerina could set her up as the replacement to Keanu Reeves' John Wick, but the movie will need to recreate one thing to do it.
Currently,John Wick’s timeline is the biggest obstacle to Keanu Reeves' return. There isn’t much room betweenJohn Wick 3andJohn Wick 4to fit in a new story, especially now thatBallerinais filling that gap. Likewise,Reeves likely wouldn’t come back for a live-actionJohn Wickprequel, and if such a project ever happens, the franchise will likely recast the character. The only feasible way to bring John back is to resurrect him inJohn Wick 5, so if it doesn’t actually end up happening,Ballerinawould be the last chance to see Reeves play the assassin.
John Wick Is Far Too Popular To Completely Rule Out Another Movie With Him
Luckily, it looks likeJohn Wickis, in fact, planning to resurrect John.In spite of Keanu Reeves' feelings about John’s death and his many comments saying that he doesn’t think he’ll return as a main character,John Wickis almost certainly not done with him. Reeves' portrayal of John has been hugely popular and profitable - to the tune of over $1 billion across four movies - and the rest of the franchise is currently unproven.Ballerinamay prove to be a massive hit that establishes Ana de Armas as the franchise’s new leading actor, but Keanu Reeves is already a guaranteed hit-maker.
Plans change constantly, and as long as new movies are being made in the John Wick franchise, there’s a chance Reeves will return in one way or another.
On top of Reeves' general success withJohn Wick, there’s also so many conflicting reports aboutJohn Wick 5. It seems like every week there’s a new story about how Reeves is shooting down the possibility of a sequel, only for an executive or creator to make a public statement about howJohn Wick 5is still happening.Nothing’s confirmed, but one thing is for certain: viewers can never rule out another appearance from Reeves as John Wick. Plans change constantly, and as long as new movies are being made in the franchise, there’s a chance Reeves will return in one way or another.
Where Else Keanu Reeves Could Return As John Wick If Not In John Wick 5
Reeves' John Wick Could Appear In The Upcoming Anime
Aside fromBallerinaandJohn Wick 5, there’s only one place where Keanu Reeves could realistically play John again. TheupcomingJohn Wickanime, which is set to depict the “impossible task” John did to get out of the assassin life in the first place, could feature Reeves in a vocal role.TheJohn Wickanime wouldn’t be as physically demanding for Reeves, which may be enough to convince him to voice John. Reeves also has a long history with voice acting - he played Shadow inSonic the Hedgehog 3, as well as theLumon building inSeverance- and an anime series would be right up his alley.
Every Upcoming John Wick Movie Or Spinoff
John Wick & Nobody Crossover
Rumored
Unfortunately, theJohn Wickanime is likely the only project that’s currently in development that Keanu Reeves would return for. Other spinoffs, likeDonnie Yen’sCainemovieand theUnder the High Tableshowboth take place afterJohn Wick 4, and wouldn’t be big enough for John’s resurrection.The franchise would likely want to use Reeves in live-action forJohn Wick 5before any other spinoff movie got him, so animation may be the only hope of seeing him play John again in the future. In other words, afterBallerina, Keanu Reeves' future withJohn Wickis far from certain.
John Wick
“John Wick” is a neo-noir action-thriller franchise centered around a retired hitman who returns to the criminal underworld to seek vengeance. Known for its intense and stylistic action sequences, the franchise has redefined modern action cinema with its choreographed gunfights, hand-to-hand combat, and intricate world-building. The series explores themes of loyalty, honor, and survival in a secret society of assassins.
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina
Cast
Ballerina follows Eve Macarro during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, as she undergoes rigorous training in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma. The film expands on the John Wick universe, charting Eve’s initiation into the clandestine world of professional assassins.
