John Wick, portrayed by Keanu Reeves, has become synonymous with cinematic resilience, a seemingly unstoppable force in the action movie landscape. However, John Wick: Chapter 4 concluded with what appeared to be the Baba Yaga’s demise, leaving audiences questioning the fate of the beloved character. Despite the seemingly conclusive ending, the revelation of an alternate cut where Wick survives and the confirmed development of a fifth film suggests that this might not be the end for John Wick. Let’s delve into the ambiguous ending of Chapter 4 and explore the compelling evidence pointing towards John Wick’s potential return.
John Wick’s Seemingly Definitive Ending in Chapter 4
After enduring escalating bounties on his head since John Wick: Chapter 2, Wick sought a definitive escape from his obligations to the High Table, the shadowy international assassin organization. Winston Scott (Ian McShane), manager of the Continental Hotel, presented Wick with a path to freedom: challenge the Marquis de Gramont (Bill Skarsgård), a high-ranking High Table member, to a duel.
Following a relentless night battling Parisian assassins, Wick reached the duel, facing his former comrade Caine (Donnie Yen). In a tense, Western-style standoff at sunrise in front of Sacré-Coeur, Wick is struck three times by Caine’s bullets and collapses. Despite his grave injuries, it’s revealed Wick strategically saved his final bullet to eliminate the Marquis de Gramont, securing both his and Caine’s liberation from the High Table.
John Wick: Chapter 4 culminates with what appears to be John Wick’s death, even presenting a gravesite inscribed with “loving husband,” a detail Wick requested earlier in the film. Winston’s poignant “Farewell, my son,” as he touches the gravestone, and Wick’s dog glancing back at the grave as they depart, further contribute to the sense of finality.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999×0:1001×2)/john-wick-4-2-bcff3d79f21a4311847c00e81743b90d.jpg)
Director Chad Stahelski himself acknowledged the ambiguity, stating, “Yes, that is a very deliberate shot with the dog. That’s meant, in my little mind, to [mess] with you a little bit, because ambiguity, like is he still [alive] or not? It’s a story about fate and consequence.” This carefully crafted ambiguity leaves room for interpretation and fuels speculation about Wick’s true fate.
Ambiguity and Alternate Endings: Is There More to the Story?
While John Wick: Chapter 4 strongly suggests Wick’s death, key details and revelations cast doubt on its definitiveness. Notably, there is no actual burial depicted, and Wick’s on-screen “death” is shown from a distance as he falls. Moreover, John Wick’s history is marked by incredible resilience. He has survived seemingly fatal injuries before, including being shot multiple times by Winston and falling from a roof in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum. Stahelski himself noted, “You know, we’ve seen John take worse injuries,” reinforcing the idea that Wick’s demise might not be as straightforward as it seems.
Adding to the intrigue is the existence of an alternate ending for John Wick: Chapter 4. Stahelski revealed they filmed a version where John Wick is explicitly shown alive at the movie’s conclusion. This alternate ending, while ultimately not chosen for the theatrical release due to audience preference for the ambiguous ending, confirms that Wick’s survival was always a possibility within the narrative.
The idea of John Wick faking his death to finally escape the assassin world and find peace aligns with his character arc. Having achieved freedom from the High Table, a quiet life away from violence becomes a plausible desire. Keanu Reeves himself expressed hope for Wick finding peace, stating, “For me, it feels really right that John Wick finds peace.” However, he also acknowledged the “never say never” aspect of the franchise, hinting at the potential for a return.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999×0:1001×2)/john-wick-4-3-54e8475077c1406ba49211bfd5531b59.jpg)
While Wick has earned his freedom, the recurring theme of consequences in the John Wick universe suggests that even in death (or faked death), his past actions may still catch up to him, preventing true tranquility.
John Wick 5 and Spinoffs: A Future for the Franchise
Despite the apparent finality of John Wick: Chapter 4, the John Wick universe is far from over. Lionsgate has officially announced that John Wick 5 is in the early stages of development, alongside other franchise expansions. Former Lionsgate chair Joe Drake confirmed, “We’re in development on three others, including [John Wick 5] and including television series, The Continental,” emphasizing the ongoing growth of the John Wick world.
This announcement of John Wick 5 strongly implies that John Wick, in some form, will return. While details about the plot and Wick’s role remain under wraps, the studio’s commitment to continuing the franchise suggests a path for his comeback. Drake highlighted that future installments will be “organically grown” from the expanding narrative, indicating a carefully planned continuation of Wick’s story.
In the meantime, fans have other John Wick projects to anticipate. The spinoff film Ballerina, starring Ana De Armas as a ballerina assassin, is set to release next year and will feature Keanu Reeves as John Wick in a supporting role. Ballerina will bridge the gap between John Wick: Chapter 3 and Chapter 4, offering potentially the last glimpse of Wick as audiences currently know him. Producer Basil Iwanyk suggested that any future John Wick film would be a “completely other book,” set significantly after the events of Chapter 4, indicating a potential time jump or a new direction for the character.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999×0:1001×2)/john-wick-4-4-81c74fb6e47545e4ac3358ad13ca519b.jpg)
The Post-Credit Scene and Caine’s Spinoff Implications
Further expanding the John Wick universe is the upcoming spinoff film centered on Caine, the blind assassin played by Donnie Yen. Caine’s story, much like Wick’s, involves attempting to escape the assassin life only to be drawn back in. While Caine achieved freedom in his duel with Wick, a post-credits scene in Chapter 4 sets up a new conflict. Shimazu Akira, daughter of Shimazu Koji (Hiroyuki Sanada), approaches Caine with a knife, seeking revenge for her father’s death at Caine’s hands in Osaka.
Caine’s spinoff, slated for a 2025 release, will likely explore this storyline, delving into Caine’s efforts to protect his daughter while confronting the consequences of his past actions. Lionsgate chair Adam Fogelson stated that the film will continue Caine’s story “following the events of John Wick: Chapter 4, as Caine has been freed from his obligations to the High Table,” suggesting a focus on Caine’s life after the duel and his entanglement with Akira’s quest for vengeance.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749×19:751×21)/donnie-yen-john-wick-030223-2-f5cdef5d3bd245b8ade2218f08257f6f.jpg)
In conclusion, while John Wick: Chapter 4 presented a seemingly definitive end for John Wick, the ambiguity of the ending, the existence of an alternate cut, and the confirmed development of John Wick 5 all point towards the likelihood of his return. Whether through a faked death, resurrection, or another narrative twist, it appears that the Baba Yaga’s story is not yet finished. The expanding John Wick universe, with spinoffs like Ballerina and the Caine-centric film, ensures that fans will have plenty of action and intrigue to look forward to, even as they continue to ponder the ultimate question: is John Wick truly dead?
