This spring Keanu Reeves returns as the deadly assassin John Wick in John Wick: Chapter 4, the latest installment in his hyper-violent action franchise.
Nine years ago, cinemagoers were inspired by a stylish neo-noir that harkened back to the golden age of John Woo and Hong Kong high-octane cinema. Despite a simple premise focused on a roaring rampage of revenge, 2014’s John Wick proved to be a much-needed shot of adrenaline for the action genre, and began the career revival of one of Hollywood’s leading actors in Keanu Reeves.
Read more: Who would win in a fight between John Wick and Neo?
The massive success of John Wick ushered in a gun-fu franchise that few saw coming, with two more sequels – John Wick: Chapter 2 and John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum – introducing us to a shadowy cabin of assassins. Wick down. Just days after Parabellum hit theaters worldwide, Lionsgate broke the exciting news that another sequel was in development.
Here’s what we know about John Wick: Chapter 4 so far…
John Wick: Chapter 4 release date
John Wick: Chapter 4 is set to hit cinemas worldwide on March 24, 2023. The fourth outing was originally set for a May 2021 release, but the COVID pandemic and Reeves’ commitments to another project – The Matrix Resurrections – pushed the date premiere back in the year.
However, the planned Memorial Day 2022 weekend release, which would have pitted the film against Top Gun: Maverick, was scrapped in favor of a 2023 release.
John Wick: Chapter 4 plot
John Wick: Chapter 4 the brooding player Reeves will continue his quest for revenge against the High Board – the global council of crime lords who placed a large bounty on the head of the title character.
However, the beleaguered Wick must face a new escort and the realization that old friends may become deadly enemies.
Is there a trailer for John Wick: Chapter 4?
Launched with a rousing remix of Terry Flowers’ “Seasons in the Sun,” the trailer for John Wick: Chapter 4 hits theaters in November 2022, and promises more of the same edgy supporting pieces and ultra- fierce violence. that we have come to expect and respect from the franchise.
Watch it above.
John Wick: Chapter 4 cast
When we last saw Wick as Keanu Reeves, it was old colleague Winston (Ian McShane from Deadwood), who unloaded three shots that seemingly knocked the beleaguered gunman off the roof.
Wick would eventually survive and later form an alliance with the Bowery King (The Matrix’s Laurence Fishburne), who also intends to take down the High Table.
McShane, Fishburne, and Lance Reddick – who played the stoic concierge Continental Charon – will return, joined by action stars Donnie Yen of Ip Man, Hiroyuki Sanada of Mortal Kombat fame, and the artist famous martial artist Scott Adkins (Undisputed II ).
IT’s Bill Skarsgård is cast as “The Marquis”, a member of the High Table forced to clean up the carnage of the previous three films, while electro-pop sensation Rina Sawayama also joins the cast in her acting debut.
John Wick: Chapter 4 filmmakers
After directing the previous three films, Chad Stahelski returns to direct the fourth chapter, reuniting with Parabellum screenwriter Shay Hatten and working with another in Predators’ Michael Finch.
Given the all-encompassing influence of the High Court on a global scale, expect to see Uggi fighting in multiple locations from Berlin and Osaka to Paris and southern Jordan.
In an interview with Empire, Stahelski increased fans’ expectations for Chapter 4 even more, describing it as “if you take The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, cross it with Zatoichi, and throw in a Greek myth. “
Future plans for the John Wick-iverse
As well as Chapter 4, the Wicklow Cinematic Universe is set to expand and be further explored as Lionsgate has confirmed that a spin-off is currently in the works.
Ballerina, which began filming in Prague in November 2022, stars Ana de Armas from Blonde as a ballet dancer seeking retribution after her family’s murder. Anjelica Huston (The Addams Family), who portrayed the head of the Ruska Roma crime family in Parabellum, will reprise her role alongside McShane, Reddick, and Reeves.
In addition, there will be a prequel TV series focusing on the origins of the hotel which was a haven for hitmen. Set in the 70s, The Continental will follow a younger Winston – played by Ambulance’s Colin Woodell – and will air on Amazon Prime sometime in 2023.
John Wick: Chapter 4 runtime
At a running time of around 150 minutes, John Wick: Chapter 4 is set to be the longest installment in the series. And while it’s highly unlikely that Wick will get the happy ending he needs after so much, look forward to Chapter 5 which is about to end a hellacious saga that we’ve all enjoyed for the past nine years .
John Wick: Chapter 4 hits theaters on March 24, 2023