Ballerina’s Chad Stahelski Says The John Wick Franchise Could Keep Working Without Keanu Reeves, But He Has One Concern I Agree With
In the upcoming spinoff of the John Wick franchise, titled Ballerina, the presence of Keanu Reeves seems to provide a sense of familiar comfort. Since audiences might not readily embrace a new movie with a fresh protagonist, the creators included more of the iconic character Baba Yaga to tie it back to the original series and make it more appealing. However, this move raises questions about the franchise’s future direction as it expands into various projects. This presents an intriguing challenge for the director and producer of the John Wick series, Chad Stahelski, who has recently spoken on the topic.
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, John Wick series creator Stahelski was asked if the John Wick universe can grow without relying heavily on Keanu Reeves’ star power. His response was affirmative, and he’s even had discussions about this with Reeves himself. However, Stahelski also acknowledges the importance of not overextending the content by releasing too much too quickly, as stated by the Ballerina producer.
As a cinephile, allow me to share some insights from my recent conversation with the illustrious Keanu Reeves. It’s no secret that crafting a compelling narrative can be a precarious balancing act. However, I firmly believe that the world of cinema can endure if we steer clear of senseless devastation and maintain our sanity.
Presently, our creative pursuits are centered around narratives that resonate deeply with us and seem to unfold naturally. We’re not just telling any story; we’re weaving tales that feel authentic and organically connected to our vision as artists.
In other words, how does he view this situation? Chad Stahelski drew a comparison using the idea of a sprawling film adaptation based on multiple versions of “Alice in Wonderland.
As a film enthusiast, I’ve immersed myself in the whimsical world of Alice in Wonderland, but now it’s time to explore more characters like the enigmatic Rabbit and the charming Cheshire Cat. In creating my own franchise, I strive to avoid getting lost in the intricacies of the mythology that can sometimes make later installments confusing. With the John Wick series, I aim for each film to be self-contained, ensuring every story adds to the overarching narrative without losing sight of its simplicity and appeal.
Currently, “Ballerina” is screening in cinemas, and here’s an update on the upcoming plans for the “John Wick” series: Three new projects are being prepared.
- A Caine Spinoff: A live-action from John Wick: Chapter 4 centered around the blind assassin played by Donnie Yen (Yen is also attached to direct).
- John Wick’s Impossible Task Prequel: An animated movie that will tell the story of how John Wick managed to win his freedom from the High Council so that he could live a life of peace with his wife, Helen
- John Wick: Chapter 5: While recent comments from Chad Stahelski have suggested that the sequel isn’t guaranteed, another sequel centered around the world’s most dangerous assassin following the end of John Wick: Chapter 4 is in development.
The “Caine” project seems poised to challenge the durability of the “John Wick” series, if the narrative doesn’t unexpectedly include a cameo by Keanu Reeves. It’s intriguing to speculate about the outcome after the premiere of “Ballerina”. Rest assured, we at TopMob will keep you updated on any new updates within the John Wick universe.
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2025-06-12 21:40