While the past few years have seen Keanu Reeves impress in a variety of roles, including reprising Ted Logan and Neo in Bill and Ted face the music And The Matrix Resurrectionsrespectively, arguably the biggest way he’s stood out over the past decade has been leading the John Wick franchise. Across four films, moviegoers have seen the title assassin take down all sorts of enemies in the criminal underworld he had previously left behind, and through the performance of John Wick: Chapter 4this franchise has finally crossed the billion dollar mark.
Released May 24 Chapter 4 topped its opening weekend at the box office, and to date has grossed over $425 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing entry in the film series. It’s important enough that everyone John Wick the film was more successful financially than its predecessor, but the stellar performance of the 2023 re-release of the film has now resulted in John Wick joining the list of franchises that have earned over $1 billion worldwide, with a current collective total of $1.011 billion. Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chairman Joe Drake had the following to say about the milestone achievement in a statement provided to Variety:
This milestone is testament to the incredible work of Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves, alongside Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, who have made it their mission to surpass themselves with each successive film in this franchise. We couldn’t be more grateful to moviegoers everywhere for bringing us to this incredible achievement.
It is the second Keanu Reeves-led franchise to cross $1 billion, as the four Matrix films have collectively grossed $1.793 billion. THE John Wick The franchise has certainly come a long way from its humble roots, as the first movie was made on a budget of between $20-30 million and pulled in $86 million worldwide. Looking at the latest installment (which was made on a $100 billion budget), in addition to its financial success, it was also met with a lot of positive critical reception, much like its predecessors, including Eric Eisenberg from CinemaBlend giving the fourth Jean Wickk movie 4.5 stars out of 5 in its review.
Warning: SPOILERS for John Wick: Chapter 4 are ahead!
This great news comes at a time when uncertainty surrounds the main John Wick film series. Although left somewhat ambiguous, it is essentially stated at the end of Chapter 4 that Keanu Reeves’ character is dead, which means that John Wick: Chapter 5 is no longer on the table. However, because Chapter 4 was such a hit, Joe Drake said there was an “opening” from Lionsgate to do Chapter 5 happen, which would require John’s fate to be changed. No matter what, Reeves and director Chad Stahelski are both giving John Wick “a rest” for now.
The good news for John Wick fans is that this franchise will soon expand with other projects. In the fall, Peacock subscribers will be able to watch The Continental, which follows a young Winston Scott, played by Colin Woodell, in the 1970s taking over the hotel that hosts assassins. Then in the summer of 2024, Ballerina will follow Ana de Armas’ Rooney as he exacts revenge on the people who killed his family. This fallout, which takes place between chapter 3 And Chapter 4will also include familiar faces from the John Wick movies, including Keanu Reeves and the late Lance Reddick’s final performance as Charon.
John Wick: Chapter 4 will be released digitally on May 23, with Blu-ray and DVD copies following on June 13. If/when the word comes about if Chapter 5 moving forward, CinemaBlend will deliver this great news.
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