Director Chad Stahelski: 'John Wick 5 will have a different storyline'

Recently, Lionsgate, the production company behind the John Wick films, officially confirmed the fifth instalment in the action movie franchise, with Keanu Reeves reprising the role of the titular assassin, along with the return of director Chad Stahelski, who helmed the previous entries.

The ending of the fourth film was assumed to be an end to Wick's adventures, but given that it was left open, hinting at a chance for the return of the 'Baba Yaga', fans can expect to see a new storyline, if the words of Stahelski are to go by. The stuntman-turned-filmmaker teased the plot in an interaction with Empire magazine.  

"The saga of John Wick was pretty wrapped up. So the only way to do 5 is to have a new story that involves John Wick. It's not a continuation, with the High Table. John dealt with his grief," said Stahelski.

Stahelski seems immensely confident about where the franchise is headed. "It will be really different, and everybody will see the trailer and go, 'Holy f***. I gotta see that," he added.

Reeves and Stahelski are also attached to the project as producers alongside Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee of the studio Thunder Road.

In the announcement event, Lionsgate representative Adam Fogelson said that the team "would not return unless they had something truly phenomenal and fresh to say with these characters and this world."

Meanwhile, a John Wick spin-off, Ballerina, is heading to theatres on June 6. Led by Ana de Armas, the film takes place between John Wick 3 and 4. Reeves will make a cameo appearance, as revealed in the first trailer. An additional spin-off, Cain, based on Donnie Yen's character in John Wick 4 is also in the works with the actor attached to direct as well.

The studio is also working on an animated prequel and a series titled Under the High Table, both of which, revealed Stahelski, will set up the story of the fifth John Wick film. A while ago, a prequel series titled The Continental, set in the same universe, was released. However, it did not make as much noise as the films.

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