For all that is wrong with the world, at least we are alive to see actors like Tom Cruise and Keanu Reeves beat Father Time to a standstill in some of the most innovative movie franchises of their day. Ever since revitalizing his career in the original “John Wick,” Reeves has cemented his place as an icon both onscreen and off. And in the new trailer for “John Wick: Chapter 4” — the latest collaboration between Reeves and franchise helmer Chad Stahelski — we are reminded why so many action fans feel they can accurately measure the passage of time in “John Wick” movies.
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What else might the fourth film in the franchise have to offer? In a word, more. Rather than rehash the formula of the original film, each “John Wick” sequel has put a real emphasis on building out the world. We’ve met agents of the mysterious High Table — the council of criminals who govern the global underworld — and peeled layers back from the code of conduct that both binds and empowers Wick to murder his way around the world. And while we already know that “John Wick” spinoffs are in development, this film does seem to offer some finality for Wick’s personal saga, putting him face-to-face with High Table member The Marquis de Gramont (Bill Skarsgård) in a winner-takes-all scenario that will allow him to clear his debts once and for all.
Here’s the official synopsis:
John Wick (Keanu Reeves) uncovers a path to defeating The High Table. But before he can earn his freedom, Wick must face off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe and forces that turn old friends into foes.
The official cast stars. Keanu Reeves, Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgård, Laurence Fishburne, Hiroyuki Sanada, Shamier Anderson, Lance Reddick, Rina Sawayama, Scott Adkins, and Ian McShane
And if this is the end of the “John Wick” sage, Stahelski and company have assembled their most impressive collection of genre icons yet. Newcomers Hiroyuki Sanada, Donnie Yen, and Scott Adkins are institutions of varying shapes and sizes. Perhaps that’s the secret to creating an action franchise without diminishing returns: if you just keep adding the most impressive names in the industry each time out, you leave no chance that audiences will tire of your unique brand of gun fu.
No matter how it all ends — or even if it all ends — “John Wick: Chapter 4” will hit theaters on March 24, 2023.