“John Wick 5” In The Works: Reeves Pushes For Age-Appropriate Script

by

Following numerous rumors, it has been confirmed that the production of John Wick 5 is indeed progressing – as Keanu Reeves prepares to reprise his role as the renowned hitman yet again.

However, this time, the star seeks a change in the script: one that portrays his advanced age, physical limitations, and the impact of almost two decades of high-octane action movies on his physique.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve just heard some juicy news from within the industry circles. They say Keanu Reeves, who’s 60 now, is set to pocket an impressive $35 million once we wrap up this upcoming project. Can you imagine the kind of games I might be able to play with that kind of dough? 🕹️💰

Yet, money isn’t his main motivator.

“Keanu’s being perfectly honest about what he’s willing and not willing to do stunt-wise,”

The source says.

“There’s no faking this. He’s put his body through hell for these movies.”

A Legend Who Won’t Be Replaced

Since its action-packed premiere in 2014, Keanu Reeves has been the leading star in the John Wick movie series, as he was born on September 2, 1964.

As each movie gets increasingly intense, the stress placed upon the main actor has noticeably increased. Following the physically demanding production of “John Wick: Chapter 4”, it’s been said that Reeves pleaded to retire his character.

“By the end, he’s always like, ‘I can’t do this again’

John Wick producer Basil Iwanyk told Collider last year.

“Making these films is so exhausting and it destroys Keanu, physically and emotionally.”

As a devoted fan, I couldn’t help but notice that Keanu Reeves seemingly requested a conclusive finale in Chapter 4. However, subtly enough, the creative team left a “10% escape hatch” unclosed, hinting at the character’s potential return. Now, that hatch has been flung wide open!

Director Chad Stahelski will take charge again for the sequel, and it’s likely that franchise veterans Ian McShane and Laurence Fishburne will return to their roles. As of now, there’s no confirmed release date, but experts believe we might not see John Wick 5 in theaters before late 2026, considering the ongoing development of three spin-offs such as Ballerina.

Not Just Another Sequel

Director Stahelski emphasizes that he’s not keen on reviving John Wick merely for financial reasons. In fact, he has ideas for John Wick 5 to 9, but only if the narrative justifies such continuation.

For Reeves, this implies a characterization of John Wick that allows for growth as he ages, leaning more towards complex emotions and screen impact rather than consistently resorting to intense physical fights.

According to the source, “Keanu isn’t planning to leave that realm any time soon,” but he “wants the scripts to take into account his age and physical capabilities so he can overcome them, which he’s known for doing!

A Franchise That Still Dominates

Lionsgate concurs with this assessment. In fact, spin-offs like “Ballerina” demonstrate their strong commitment to upholding Keanu Reeves’ legacy, as they label these productions as part of the “John Wick Universe.

Replacing him is not an option since his presence is still the beating heart of the franchise.

In recent years, the movie industry has been turning more often to veterans like Harrison Ford (at 80) and Tom Cruise (61), who continue to perform action-packed roles such as Indiana Jones and Mission: Impossible stunts.

Or:

As actors like Harrison Ford (age 80) and Tom Cruise (age 61) take on iconic characters like Indiana Jones and the daredevil roles in Mission: Impossible, respectively, it’s clear that the film industry is leaning heavily on seasoned stars for physically demanding parts.

In the ever-demanding world of Hollywood action flicks, it seems like John Wick’s creators might be ready for a change – one that allows our beloved Keanu Reeves a well-deserved respite. This pause could indicate that acknowledging an actor’s needs and allowing them to regroup is not just beneficial but essential in our fast-paced industry.

Read More

2025-06-19 00:09