BACK FROM THE DEAD

Keanu Reeves to Make Surprise Return as Beloved Assassin

The actor had previously hinted that his John Wick days were behind him.

After some speculation around his return, Keanu Reeves is confirmed to star in John Wick: Chapter 5, Lionsgate announced at CinemaCon in Las Vegas Tuesday. The chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, Adam Fogelson, said in a statement that Reeves agreed to return after learning of a fresh idea for Wick. “We can’t wait for audiences to see where the journey takes us next,” he said. Prior to this announcement, Reeves had told CBS in December that his “heart” wanted to reprise the role, but “my knees right now are saying ‘I can’t do another John Wick.‘” He also mentioned in another interview that the blockbuster assassin “died” in the last installation of the franchise, seemingly shutting down any hope for a fifth film. But the John Wick franchise, which has earned over $1 billion at the global box office, will live to see another installment. Lionsgate also announced at CinemaCon their plans to create an animated prequel film directed by Shannon Tindle, with Reeves voicing an animated John Wick. While fans await these new projects, the spinoff film Ballerina starring Ana de Armas (with a cameo from Reeves) will hit theaters June 6.