For fans eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the saga of everyone’s favorite dog-loving assassin, there’s a mix of news to unpack. While 2025 is shaping up to be a significant year for the John Wick universe, it’s now confirmed that John Wick 5 is not coming next year. This might be disappointing for those expecting a direct sequel, but the franchise is far from slowing down. In fact, 2025 promises to be a year rich with John Wick content, albeit in forms you might not have initially expected.
John Wick 5 Officially Delayed
Recent reports from Collider have confirmed what many suspected: John Wick 5 will not be going into production next year. The highly anticipated sequel is facing a delay because director Chad Stahelski is committed to directing the Highlander reboot starring Henry Cavill. This commitment means that Stahelski’s schedule for early next year is already full, pushing back any potential filming for John Wick 5.
While the news of a delay for John Wick 5 might sting, especially for those eager to see Keanu Reeves back in action as the Baba Yaga, there’s a silver lining. This delay ensures that when John Wick 5 does eventually materialize, it won’t be rushed into production simply to meet a deadline. Instead, Stahelski and the team will have the time to craft a sequel that hopefully lives up to the high standards set by its predecessors. For a franchise known for its meticulously choreographed action sequences and intricate world-building, time and care in production are paramount.
Focus Shifts to ‘Ballerina’ and John Wick TV Series in 2025
Instead of John Wick 5, 2025 will spotlight other exciting expansions of the John Wick universe. The first of these is Ballerina, a spinoff movie starring Ana de Armas. This film, technically the fifth entry in the franchise timeline-wise, is set between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 and Chapter 4. Ballerina promises to deliver the same high-octane action and stylish world that fans have come to love, with de Armas stepping into the assassin role. Adding to the excitement, familiar faces like Ian McShane, reprising his role as Winston Scott, and the late Lance Reddick, as Charon, are also set to appear, bridging the spinoff directly into the established John Wick narrative.
While early buzz around Ballerina has been mixed, the prospect of a new perspective within the John Wick world, combined with the return of beloved characters, remains highly appealing. Beyond Ballerina, there’s also the potential arrival of a John Wick sequel TV series in 2025. Keanu Reeves himself is executive producing this series, which is expected to take place after the events of John Wick: Chapter 4. While details about the series, including its release platform and timing, are still under wraps, the hope is that it will debut in 2025, capitalizing on the momentum generated by Ballerina and further immersing fans in the franchise’s rich lore.
The John Wick Universe Continues to Expand
The John Wick franchise’s journey from a simple revenge story sparked by the death of a dog to a billion-dollar cinematic universe is truly remarkable. This success is built upon several pillars: Keanu Reeves’ undeniable charisma, the breathtaking and innovative action choreography, and the richly detailed criminal underworld with its own rules and traditions. Even though John Wick: Chapter 4 seemed to provide a definitive conclusion to Wick’s story, with his apparent death, the franchise’s creators have cleverly left room for continuation. The ambiguous ending, showing Wick’s tombstone but not his body, suggests that the story could continue if the right narrative emerges.
Ultimately, while John Wick 5 is not coming next year, the John Wick universe is far from dormant. With Ballerina hitting theaters and the potential for a TV series release, 2025 is poised to be a year where fans can dive deeper into this stylized world of assassins and action. The delay of John Wick 5, therefore, should be seen not as a setback, but as a strategic pause, allowing for other exciting projects to flourish and ensuring that when John Wick 5 does arrive, it will be worth the wait.
