John Wick 4

John Wick 4: What We Know So Far About the Upcoming Action-Packed Thriller

The world of John Wick is set to expand once again with the highly anticipated fourth installment of the action-packed franchise. With each new entry, audiences have been treated to a high-octane mix of stylized violence, intricate world-building, and unforgettable characters. As the release date draws closer, let's take a look at what we know so far about John Wick 4.

The Plot

While details about the plot have been kept under wraps, the ending of John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum provides a good indication of where the story is headed. After being excommunicated from the Continental, John Wick (Keanu Reeves) finds himself on the run with a $14 million bounty on his head. With no allies and the entire criminal underworld out to get him, John must use all of his skills to survive.

It's safe to say that John Wick 4 will pick up where the previous film left off, as director Chad Stahelski has stated that he sees the series as one continuous story rather than separate installments. In an interview with Collider, Stahelski teased that the film would explore the consequences of John's actions in the previous movies:

"We want to show you cool stuff, but it has to be cool stuff that's relevant to the story... So we're going to give you the same kind of good old-fashioned John Wick ass-kicking, but it's going to be different."

The Cast

Keanu Reeves will, of course, be returning as the titular assassin, but he won't be alone. Several other cast members from the previous movies are also set to return, including Ian McShane as Winston, the manager of the Continental Hotel, and Laurence Fishburne as Bowery King, the leader of a group of homeless assassins.

There will also be some new faces joining the franchise. Donnie Yen, best known for his work in the Ip Man series, has been cast as an old friend of John's who shares a similar background. Hiroyuki Sanada, who recently starred in Mortal Kombat and Army of the Dead, will play a key role in the film, although his character has yet to be revealed.

The Production

John Wick 4 began filming in June 2021, with a release date originally scheduled for May 2022. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the release was pushed back to March 24, 2023. In addition to the main film, a spinoff series titled The Continental is also in development, which will focus on the history and inner workings of the Continental Hotel.

The Director

Chad Stahelski, who co-directed the first John Wick film and has directed all subsequent entries, will be back in the director's chair for John Wick 4. Stahelski began his career as a stuntman and has worked on some of the biggest action films of the past few decades, including The Matrix and The Hunger Games.

In an interview with Collider, Stahelski discussed his approach to directing action sequences in the John Wick series:

"We always try to have a sense of geography. We always try to have a sense of escalation. We always try to have a sense of stakes. And we try to make it look cool. And I think that's what makes John Wick John Wick."

Conclusion

Fans of the John Wick franchise have a lot to look forward to with the upcoming fourth installment. With Keanu Reeves returning as the titular character and several new cast members joining the fold, the film promises to be another action-packed thrill ride. While details about the plot are scarce, director Chad Stahelski has promised.