Deconstructing John Wick’s Fate: Chapter 4’s Mind-Bending Finale and the Expanding Universe
John Wick: Dead or Alive?
After killing countless High Table supporters, falling down hundreds of stairs, and dueling one blind master swordsman, Keanu Reeves‘ John Wick is…dead?
“John Wick: Chapter 4” ends with Wick seemingly six feet under after succumbing to three gunshot wounds he suffered during his final duel with Caine (Donnie Yen). Winston (Ian McShane) and the Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne) even pay their respects at the master assassin’s tombstone, next to his wife’s final resting place.
“In our minds, Keanu and I are done for the moment. We’re going to give ‘John Wick’ a rest. I’m sure the studio has a plan. If everyone loves it and it goes kooky, then we’ll take a quiet minute.” – Director Chad Stahelski
Is John Wick Dead?
But is Wick dead? We never actually see him die from his wounds, nor do we see his body get buried. At the end of “John Wick 3,” he fakes his death from the High Table’s Adjudicator (Asia Kate Dillon) and recovers from his wounds with the Bowery King underground, hiding out until the beginning of “John Wick 4.” His death has been staged before, so why not again?
What’s Next for the John Wick Universe?
Even if a mainline “John Wick” movie doesn’t happen for a while, Reeves is already booked to appear in the upcoming spinoff “Ballerina,” starring Ana de Armas. Between the third and fourth “John Wick” films, “Ballerina” stars de Armas as an assassin named Rooney who hunts down her family’s murderers.
Ballerina: Expanding the Shadowy World
“Ballerina,” which does not yet have a release date, could further crack open the shadowy world of “John Wick.” In addition to Reeves, the cast includes Huston, McShane, and newcomers Gabriel Byrne, Norman Reedus, and Catalina Sandino Moreno. Lance Reddick will also appear as The Continental concierge Charon in his final appearance filmed before his death last week.
The Continental: A Prequel Series on Peacock
The “John Wick” franchise also has a prequel series coming that will show the origins of The Continental and many of its major players. Heading to Peacock in the future, “The Continental” will take place in the ’70s and reveal how a young Winston got control of the assassin hotel and haven.
FAQ
- Is John Wick dead in Chapter 4? – We never actually see him die from his wounds or his body get buried. His death has been staged before, so there is a possibility he’s not dead.
- What’s next for the John Wick universe? – An upcoming spinoff, “Ballerina,” starring Ana de Armas, and a prequel series on Peacock called “The Continental.”
- What is “Ballerina” about? – It stars Ana de Armas as an assassin named Rooney who hunts down her family’s murderers, taking place between the third and fourth “John Wick” films.
- What is “The Continental” about? – It’s a prequel series set in the ’70s that reveals the origins of The Continental hotel and the background of its significant players.
Teasing Future Plotlines: Post-Credits Scene
“John Wick 4” also has one final future plot thread teased in the post-credits scene with Akira (Rina Sawayama) and Caine. Earlier in the movie, Caine kills Akira’s father, Koji (Hiroyuki Sanada), Wick’s friend and the manager of the Osaka Continental Hotel. Akira, the hotel’s concierge, approaches Caine in the post-credits scene to take revenge for her father’s death, perhaps teasing a showdown to come.
In Conclusion
While the fate of John Wick remains uncertain, it is clear that the captivating universe is set to expand with new stories and characters. As the franchise grows, audiences can look forward to delving deeper into the shadowy world of assassins, betrayal, and high-stakes action that has captivated fans for years.
