The “John Wick” franchise is one of the rare film series that actually continues to get bigger and bigger with each subsequent film. So, it makes sense that Lionsgate was quick to announce “John Wick 4” would be coming in 2021 after the third film, ‘Parabellum’ did franchise-best numbers. But according to a new interview with Collider, ‘Wick’ filmmaker Chad Stahelski explained that at the end of each film, he and his crew are ready to pack things up but they keep getting asked for more, which leaves them in a very difficult spot.
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The filmmaker explains that after each film, he, David Leitch (who helped direct the first film and executive produces the rest), and Keanu Reeves all think that they’re done with the franchise. But yet, after each film, Lionsgate comes back to offer them another.
“We’re kinda making it up as we go,” the director said.
Even though they had no plans for a fourth film, that’s exactly what Stahleski and his crew are working on. And if fans are wondering what sparked the interest in another (possibly final) ‘John Wick’ film, the director credits the film’s star for getting the ball rolling.
“Then we just kinda met each other when we were doing the publicity tour and I think we were in Japan, and Keanu goes, ‘I think I got one more left in me,’ and we had one idea we didn’t use which we really loved and we have to cut it out of number three [‘Parabellum’], just didn’t have the space for it,” the filmmaker revealed. “So we’re like, ‘Okay, we’ll do a fourth. That’s gonna be awesome. We’ll make a plan.’”
He continued, “The studios […] went, ‘We totally get what you’re trying to do.’ We submitted an idea or thematic [plan] and it was really big. So, we’re talking about doing a little bit more than a [‘John Wick 4’], or something like that, and trying to develop that. We’ll see how that goes.”
As for progress on the film, Stahelski said that he’s completed a “scriptment,” which he further explained, “It’s like a 100-and-something page document, but some of it’s written. It’s a good place to start. Then we start thinning it out, and then we work with the writers to get the right scenes, and then we start working with Keanu’s dialogue. It’s a very outward-in process for us. Then, we’ll do the inward-outward process which is about character.”
And yes, whatever “John Wick 4” turns out looking like, it’ll have the signature bad-ass stunts that fans have grown accustomed to with the franchise.
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“I think I have a lot of really cool ideas for the next one that I think are different and shocking and fun and unique. How to do them, I have no fuckin’ idea right now. I’m still figuring it out,” He concluded.
Of course, the big question now is when fans will get to see “John Wick 4.” Originally dated for May 21, 2021, it’s clear that is going to change, as Keanu Reeves has to finish up work on “The Matrix 4” before he can even get going on the next ‘Wick’ film. And with production halted on ‘Matrix,’ it’s unlike that ‘Wick’ will get going anytime soon. But hey, at least Stahleski is working on it!