John Wick: Chapter 5 – What We Know About the Baba Yaga’s Next Chapter in 2025
He fell off a building, got stabbed, shot, and buried—yet here we are, talking about John Wick: Chapter 5. The unstoppable hitman, played by Keanu Reeves, refuses to stay down, and neither does his franchise. After Chapter 4’s explosive 2023 finale, fans thought the Baba Yaga’s tale might be over. But as of April 2025, Lionsgate says otherwise, confirming the fifth installment at CinemaCon with Reeves and director Chad Stahelski back in the saddle. So, how’s John Wick returning, and what’s next for this action juggernaut? Let’s unpack the latest on Chapter 5.
Background and Confirmation
John Wick: Chapter 4 ended with a bang—literally. After a brutal duel with Caine (Donnie Yen) in Paris, John took three bullets, slumped on the Sacré-Cœur steps, and whispered “home” to Winston (Ian McShane) before fading out. His gravestone next to his wife’s sealed the deal—or so we thought. Winston and the Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne) mourned, but the ambiguity (no body, just a marker) left room for doubt.
Fast forward to April 1, 2025, when Lionsgate dropped a bombshell at CinemaCon: John Wick: Chapter 5 is officially in development, with Reeves, Stahelski, and producers Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee returning. No, it wasn’t an April Fools’ prank—Variety, People, and posts on X back it up. After Chapter 4 raked in $440 million worldwide, Lionsgate’s betting big on the Wick-verse, even if Reeves’ knees are begging for mercy.
Development Journey
The road to Chapter 5 has been a rollercoaster. Back in 2020, Lionsgate planned to shoot it back-to-back with Chapter 4, but COVID-19 and Stahelski’s packed schedule (think Highlander and Ghost of Tsushima) derailed that. Post-Chapter 4, Stahelski hinted he and Reeves were “done for the moment,” needing a breather after a decade of gun-fu. Yet, by May 2023, Lionsgate confirmed early development, with the story “organically growing” from spinoffs like Ballerina and The Continental.
As of April 2025, the script’s being hammered out post-SAG-AFTRA strike, and production’s slated to kick off in 2025—eyeing a late 2026 release if all goes smooth. Stahelski’s teased “three or four versions” of the story, promising it won’t just tack onto Chapter 4’s ending but carve a fresh path.
Plot Possibilities
So, how’s John alive? Theories abound. Maybe Winston and the Bowery King faked his death to free him from the High Table’s grip—a classic Wick move. Or perhaps Chapter 5 picks up with John in hiding, nursing wounds, only to be dragged back by unfinished business. The High Table’s still standing, after all—its power bruised but not broken in Chapter 4. Could John’s final fight be a full-on assault to dismantle it?
Spinoffs offer clues. Ballerina (June 2025) slots between Chapters 3 and 4, with Reeves cameoing, while the Caine film (shooting in Hong Kong, 2025) follows Chapter 4’s post-credits tease of Akira hunting Caine. Chapter 5 might bridge these, tying John’s fate to Caine’s or introducing new players from the Wick underworld. Stahelski’s adamant it won’t undo Chapter 4’s closure—expect a curveball, not a retread.
Returning Cast and Crew
Keanu Reeves, now 60, is the heart of it all. Despite joking about his body “saying no” after Chapter 4’s grueling stunts, he’s signed on, lured by a story Stahelski calls “phenomenal and fresh.” Chad Stahelski, the stuntman-turned-director who’s helmed every Wick film, is back too, vowing not to churn out a “cash grab.” His notebooks brim with ideas for Chapters 5-9, but he’s waiting for the perfect spark.
Ian McShane’s Winston and Laurence Fishburne’s Bowery King are likely bets, given their graveside cameo. Could Donnie Yen’s Caine or Shamier Anderson’s Tracker return? Maybe even Ana de Armas’ Rooney from Ballerina? The late Lance Reddick’s Charon won’t be back, but flashbacks aren’t off the table. New blood’s expected too—Stahelski loves a stacked roster.
The Expanding Wick-Verse
2025’s a banner year for John Wick fans. Ballerina drops June 6, starring Ana de Armas as a vengeful dancer-assassin, with Reeves popping in. The Caine spinoff, directed by and starring Donnie Yen, promises kung-fu flair post-Chapter 4. An animated prequel, voiced by Reeves, rewinds to John’s pre-Chapter 1 days, tackling the “impossible task” that earned his freedom. Add The Continental TV series and a Vegas “John Wick Experience,” and the franchise is a full-on empire.
Chapter 5 sits at the core, weaving these threads into a bigger tapestry. It’s not just a sequel—it’s the linchpin of a universe that’s redefined action cinema with its balletic violence and mythic lore.
What Fans Can Expect
Chapter 4 set a sky-high bar: a 169-minute thrill ride with Paris car chases, Berlin club brawls, and that insane Arc de Triomphe shootout. Chapter 5 has to top it—or at least match it. Expect new locales (Hong Kong’s in play, thanks to Caine), jaw-dropping stunts (Stahelski’s got “set pieces for days”), and deeper emotional stakes—maybe John’s quest for peace beyond vengeance.
The challenge? Avoiding fatigue. Reeves and Stahelski know the “why” matters more than the “how.” If they nail the story, it’ll be worth every bullet.
Conclusion
John Wick: Chapter 5 is shaping up as a bold return for the Baba Yaga, defying death and doubters alike. With Reeves and Stahelski steering the ship, backed by Lionsgate’s franchise fever, it’s poised to keep the Wick legacy blazing—assuming they stick the landing. Will it be John’s final bow or a new beginning? We’ll know more as 2025 unfolds. For now, one thing’s clear: people keep asking if he’s back, and the answer’s a resounding “yeah.” What’s your guess for Chapter 5? Hit me with your theories.
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