John Wick: Chapter 5: Release Date, Cast & Updates

When John Wick: Chapter 4 closed with the titular assassin dead on the steps of the Continental, fans assumed the saga was over. It wasn’t. Lionsgate confirmed at CinemaCon 2025 that a fifth installment is officially happening, with Keanu Reeves back and the director who made the first four films signing on to helm this one too. What makes the announcement complicated is that Reeves himself said the character is “dead”—and the studio is now building a whole constellation of spin-offs to bridge whatever comes next.

Status: In Development · Confirmed By: Lionsgate · Release Order: After Spinoffs · Previous Film: John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023) · Spinoff Incoming: Ballerina (2025)

Is John Wick: Chapter 5 coming out?

Yes. Lionsgate officially announced John Wick: Chapter 5 at CinemaCon 2025 on April 1, 2025, making it the first major confirmation since the franchise CEO Joe Drake first hinted at the project in August 2020. The studio is moving forward, but the timeline is anything but simple.

Lionsgate Confirmation

Lionsgate has gone on record multiple times. The studio’s Head of Global Products & Experiences, Jennifer Brown, confirmed development in March 2025, and executive Jenefer Brown repeated the commitment shortly after. Lionsgate’s official franchise page lists John Wick 5 as “in early development.” The CinemaCon panel in Las Vegas featured a dramatic reveal: “Keanu Reeves is returning as John Wick!” alongside footage confirming the project’s existence.

Development Status

The project is officially greenlit but still in early stages. No production start date, filming location, or official release window has been announced. Recent reports suggest Lionsgate executives are working toward beginning production, with some speculation pointing to a potential late 2027 release based on typical franchise timelines from announcement to premiere.

How is there a John Wick 5 if he dies in 4?

This is the central puzzle. John Wick dies at the end of Chapter 4, shot multiple times on the steps of the Continental after a final showdown with the High Table. Keanu Reeves himself said in April 2025 that the character is “dead.” Lionsgate is pushing forward anyway, and here’s how they might justify it.

Chapter 4 Ending Recap

The fourth film ends with John making peace with his fate, collapsing after fulfilling his final mission. Winston scatters his ashes in a brief epilogue. It’s a definitive ending—complete with a funeral for one of cinema’s most enduring assassins. The Bowery King survives and is seen in a mid-credits scene, setting up continued conflict, but John’s story appeared sealed.

Franchise Revival Plans

Lionsgate has not explained how Chapter 5 will handle the death, but the spin-off strategy suggests a narrative workaround. The upcoming Ballerina film is set between Chapters 3 and 4, while an animated prequel about John Wick’s “Impossible Task” offers a potential origin story thread. This universe-building gives Lionsgate multiple narrative doors to open—flashbacks, parallel timelines, or a carefully constructed resurrection logic. As director Chad Stahelski said in April 2025, “The studio would very much will it into existence, I’m sure, at some point.”

What is the John Wick: Chapter 5 release date?

No official release date has been announced as of mid-2025. Lionsgate has not set a window, and the studio’s official franchise materials list the project as forthcoming without specifying timing. The best available estimates come from franchise patterns and industry speculation.

Current Timeline

Production for John Wick: Chapter 5 is anticipated to begin in 2025, potentially leading to a 2026 release. However, that timeline assumed Ballerina would clear the path first. With Ballerina landing in June 2025 and early development still described as “in progress,” a 2026 release looks increasingly optimistic. More recent reporting suggests filming could begin within the current month, with a late 2027 target—roughly two years after Ballerina’s premiere and four years after Chapter 4.

Spinoff Priorities

Lionsgate has made clear that spin-offs take priority before Chapter 5. Ballerina launches the franchise’s first true spin-off on June 6, 2025. A Caine film, directed by Donnie Yen, was also announced at CinemaCon 2025. An animated prequel is in development. This means Lionsgate’s production calendar is packed with John Wick universe content that could push Chapter 5 into 2027 or later.

John Wick: Chapter 5 cast

Keanu Reeves is confirmed, but beyond him, the cast picture is partial and subject to change. Lionsgate has confirmed key returning talent, while other roles remain speculative based on the franchise’s established roster.

Keanu Reeves Return

Reeves will reprise the title role and serve as a producer on Chapter 5. ABC News confirms his involvement directly. The actor’s personal feelings about the character remain complicated—his “dead” comment in March 2025 stands in contrast to his willingness to return. Lionsgate clearly wants him, and he’s agreed. Whether the character survives on screen or appears through another narrative device remains to be seen.

Potential New Faces

Several actors from the existing universe are expected to return. Ian McShane, who plays Winston, has been central to the franchise’s later chapters and is likely to appear. Laurence Fishburne’s Bowery King survived Chapter 4’s mid-credits scene and is expected back. Donnie Yen’s Caine—a fan-favorite from Chapter 4—could return if Lionsgate doesn’t prioritize the planned Caine spin-off as a standalone. Ana de Armas, the star of Ballerina, may cross over into the main series given John Wick’s confirmed appearance in her spin-off.

Is John Wick Ballerina a prequel?

Ballerina is positioned as the first spin-off film in the John Wick universe, set between the events of Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4. It is not a direct prequel to Chapter 5, but it does feature a character—played by Ana de Armas—who appears in the broader franchise and whose story potentially connects to future installments.

Ballerina Plot Position

The film follows a young assassin trained at a secret academy who seeks vengeance after her family is killed. The timeline places it chronologically between Chapters 3 and 4, which means it can establish characters, organizations, and conflicts that carry forward without being bound by the events of Chapter 4. Keanu Reeves appears in the film, lending weight to its canonical status.

Connection to Chapter 5

Lionsgate has stated that Ballerina is designed to expand the John Wick universe ahead of future films. While Lionsgate has not confirmed direct plot connections to Chapter 5, the franchise model suggests Ballerina will introduce or develop characters who appear in subsequent installments. The June 6, 2025 release date means Ballerina will be in theaters before Chapter 5 enters active production, giving audiences time to integrate its events into their understanding of the universe.

Related reading: Fast and Furious 3 Cast

Frequently asked questions