There’s an unwritten rule in films that no character is lifeless till you full-on see a corpse… and that makes readings of John Wick: Chapter 4‘s ending difficult. The movie’s conclusion sees Keanu Reeves’ titular protagonist seated and slumping whereas riddled with bullets and his pals visiting a headstone along with his identify, however we by no means really see the Baba Yaga’s lifeless physique. Followers have had debates on the topic, with complexity added by Lionsgate’s announcement earlier this yr of three new franchise movies – however for those who ask Ian McShane a.ok.a. Winston Scott, John is certainly alive, and there are breadcrumbs resulting in questions we must always all be asking.
CinemaBlend’s Hannah Saulic sat down with the John Wick franchise actor through the latest press day for the brand new spinoff Ballerina, and one of many questions she requested involved Winston’s relationship with John after Chapter 4. If it seems the famed murderer is alive, will the legendary supervisor of The Continental be upset that his pal faked his demise? Per McShane, the reply isn’t any, and he defined why:
No, I feel [Winston] is aware of [he’s alive]. I imply, do not forget, the final shot you noticed was me placing my hand on the coffin and saying, , ‘Das vedanya, my son,’ which in Russian is… And why does Winston converse in Russian? And why do you see a touch of a tattoo up his hand? Who is aware of what he’s?
Though audiences have spent 4 films witnessing the difficult relationship between John Wick and Winston Scott (together with the latter capturing the previous off of a roof in Chapter 3), it’s price noting that we do not actually know something about their shared origin. They clearly run in the identical circles and have identified one another professionally for years, however what’s it that first introduced them collectively and made them shut? Ian McShane means that Winston’s use of Russian at John Wick’s grave and the tattoo on his hand is supposed to be indicative of a much bigger story.
Ian McShane continued saying that the open-ended features of the John Wick franchise is a part of why he appreciates every part that has been constructed from the world (except for the streaming sequence The Continental, which he refuses to look at as a result of inventive variations). He added,
I imply that’s what’s nice concerning the present: there’s unanswered questions, which they do not reply in each episode. They provide you a couple of breadcrumbs. You already know, you assume a solution, however you do not. That is what the most effective tales do. They reveal.
Together with an animated prequel and a derivative centered on Donnie Yen’s Caine from John Wick: Chapter 4, a John Wick: Chapter 5 was introduced by Lionsgate at CinemaCon 2025 – although director Chad Stahelski not too long ago splashed some chilly water on the concept it was a accomplished deal. Crucial ingredient is inventive curiosity and funding from each Stahelski and Keanu Reeves, and Ian McShane places it within the fingers of Reeves to maintain the core sequence going.
However even when John Wick: Chapter 5 particularly does not change into a factor, there’ll nonetheless be in-canon adventures like Ballerina, which stars Ana de Armas within the lead as new protagonist Eve Macarro but in addition options Ian McShane, Keanu Reeves, Anjelica Huston and the late nice Lance Reddick. Stated McShane,
If there’s a John Wick 5, which will probably be completely as much as Keanu. If Keanu desires to do it, they’ll do it. There will be a 5. In any other case, there could also be one other persevering with factor with out him, who is aware of? They might go off in a distinct route as a result of films have a approach of doing that.
No different John Wick options presently have launch dates, however we’ll hold you up to date right here on CinemaBlend about massive information and developments. For now, you’ll be able to take a look at Ballerina in theaters now – the movie having accomplished battle with the field workplace powerhouse that’s Lilo & Sew in its debut weekend.