Action superstar Keanu Reeves has hinted that his days as the legendary hitman John Wick might be numbered, at least in terms of leading another full feature film in the franchise.
In a recent interview with CBS News while promoting Sonic The Hedgehog 3, where he voices the character Shadow, Reeves addressed speculation about a potential fifth installment in the main John Wick series.
“You can never say never,” Reeves shared. “My heart does but I don’t know if my knees can do it,” he added, suggesting the physically demanding role has taken its toll.
The revelation comes as no surprise given the intense preparation required for these roles. For his portrayal of John Wick, Reeves underwent rigorous daily two-hour training sessions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo. His dedication to the martial arts has earned him recognition from the combat sports community, including an honorary black belt in Judo from three-time Olympic gold medalist Nomura Tadahiro in Tokyo.
However, fans of the franchise needn’t worry about saying goodbye to Reeves’s character completely. He is set to appear in the upcoming spin-off film “Ballerina,” starring Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro, a trained assassin seeking vengeance for her family’s death. The film, positioned chronologically between “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum” and “Chapter 4,” will expand the franchise’s universe.
De Armas herself has embraced the physical challenges of joining the franchise. “We’ve been in Prague filming for four months. We still have one more month to go. And I’m in pain. You know, my body, my back, everything hurts. I’m complaining, I’m sore, I’m bruised,” she revealed during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
The actress also praised her co-star’s commitment: “Bond was fifteen minutes. This is a whole movie, another level. But the other day, Keanu and I were rehearsing our very difficult stunt scene, and this man is just rolling and throwing me and doing crazy stunts. And I’m like – I can’t complain anymore because he is doing it! He truly is the best.”
“Ballerina,” originally scheduled for a June 2024 release, has been pushed back to June 6, 2025. The film will feature returning franchise stars, including Ian McShane as Winston Scott and the late Lance Reddick in his final appearance as Charon.
