The Only Reason John Wick 5 Is In The Works Is Because The Wickless Spinoffs Keep Failing

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Summary

  • John Wick 5 is driven by financial interests, risking compromising the story for future films.
  • Spinoff movies lacked quality and memorable characters, failing to engage audiences.
  • Franchise may suffer from lack of Wick involvement, risking overstaying its welcome with forced plots.

Across various years, numerous remarkable action series have graced our screens, and without a doubt, the realm of “John Wick” stands among the greatest in contemporary cinema. The film franchise spearheaded by Keanu Reeves showcased an innovative approach, offering spectacularly choreographed fight sequences that left audiences spellbound with their riveting action scenes.

In the realm of John Wick, a distinctive universe unfolds, brimming with exclusive laws that deviate sharply from conventional norms. The iconic protagonist has left an indelible mark on cinema, yet the side stories have faced challenges in matching their initial success, leading to speculation about the longevity of the franchise sans Wick.

John Wick 5 Isn’t Necessary For Story, But Is For The Franchise

John Wick’s Story Is Being Compromised For Future Movies

As a die-hard cinephile, I’ve got to say, the last four John Wick films have been nothing short of extraordinary. They’ve left both fans and critics spellbound, and their box office success is a testament to that. The finale of John Wick: Chapter 4 left viewers content with the conclusion of his tale, and with a staggering 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it was warmly embraced. The film also offered a poignant ending to John Wick’s saga as we witnessed him bleed out, collapsing in a moment that felt fitting for both him and his character.

It seems clear that Lionsgate’s motivation for making John Wick 5 stems mainly from financial concerns, due to the underperformance of the spinoff projects. Yet, they also want to maintain the series so they can continue producing films, either more John Wick movies or new spinoff ideas. However, this might come at the expense of the original storyline’s integrity. Fans have appreciated four films with a compelling narrative, and it’s concerning that a fifth film might be made, sacrificing quality for the sake of keeping the franchise going.

John Wick’s Spinoff Movies Haven’t Delivered Quality

There Is A Lack Of Memorable characters For Audiences To cling To

Whenever a franchise expands through spinoff films or TV shows, there’s often a risk that it won’t succeed due to the absence of the main character. Sadly, this is the predicament facing the John Wick universe, as the offshoot content has fallen flat, failing to capture the excitement that originally made John Wick popular. The quality just hasn’t been up to par, and it’s evident that audiences haven’t shown much interest in the spinoffs. For instance, Ballerina, which received a lot of publicity, ultimately underperformed, even though John Wick himself appeared in the movie. Ballerina grossed $132.3 million worldwide, with an opening weekend of $24.5 million, but it struggled to match the success of the main John Wick films. Meanwhile, The Continental, a prequel series spanning three parts, seems to have been forgotten by even dedicated John Wick fans. Despite its connection to the movies and its exploration of the origins of the Continental Hotel, people didn’t seem to care about this series. It had an intriguing concept, but the lackluster response ultimately labeled it a failure.

One key factor contributing to John Wick’s continued presence in these films is the absence of compelling, main characters like him that viewers are eager to follow. Although the first four movies boast numerous engaging sidekicks, the action-packed narrative revolves predominantly around John Wick. This structure serves the films well, but it presents a challenge when it comes to franchise growth, as audiences fail to connect with content from this universe without John Wick as the main character. This disconnection hinders the franchise’s potential expansion.

This Trend Is Problematic For Future John Wick Spinoffs

The Franchise cannot Rely Upon John Wick Forever

The poor performance of the spinoff movies from the John Wick series suggests that Lionsgate may face challenges maintaining the franchise’s success when Keanu Reeves isn’t the main actor. Given the financial profit that the character generates, it makes sense for Lionsgate to keep producing John Wick-based stories. However, over time, creating more full-fledged John Wick movies could become problematic. Lionsgate risks the franchise becoming tiresome for audiences if the storylines start feeling contrived, which is a risk with John Wick 5.

The lackluster reception to the spinoffs indicates that John Wick 5 is crucial if Lionsgate wants to continue the series. However, the current trend isn’t promising for future spinoffs. It’s unlikely that Reeves will be involved in every movie, and if the standalone (Wickless) projects continue to underperform, the franchise could ultimately fade away quietly.

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2025-08-02 19:49