However, the release of the film is also marked by poignancy following the tragic news that Charon star Lance Reddick passed away aged 60 on Friday 17th March. Ahead of the film's release, star Keanu Reeves and director Chad Stahelski were among those to pay tribute to the actor, while a tribute to Reddick was also added before the film's closing credits.
Meanwhile, the franchise is showing no signs of stopping after the release of this film, with at least two other projects currently in development – one each for the big and small screens.
The upcoming prequel TV series The Continental will tell the story of how Ian McShane's Winston Scott (played in the show by Colin Woodell) came to be the proprietor of the eponymous hotel in the 1970s, while Ana de Armas will take the lead role in spin-off movie Ballerina.
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John Wick 4 has already been delayed a couple of times due to the pandemic, with plans to shoot it back to back with a fifth instalment having been scrapped – but here’s everything we know about the fourth chapter in the Keanu Reeves-led franchise.
John Wick 4 release date
The film will finally be released in cinemas on Friday 24th March 2023 – almost two years later than had originally been planned.
Fans who signed up to receive text message updates about John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum were the first to learn of the sequel, after they were sent a message which read: “You have served. You will be of service. John Wick: Chapter 4 is coming – May 21, 2021.”
But with the coronavirus causing major delays for productions, that release date was pushed back a number of times. In March 2021, it was revealed that filming was set to start on the new film in June, with the original plan of shooting it back to back with John Wick 5 having been scrapped, and on 28th June 2021 the official John Wick Twitter account confirmed that shooting had begun.
Who will star in John Wick 4?
Keanu Reeves will reprise his role as brooding ex-hitman John Wick, while Ian McShane is also back as The Continental owner Winston, and Lance Reddick makes one of his final appearances as he reprises the role of concierge Charon.
And it is also another Matrix reunion, with Laurence Fishburne’s now heavily-scarred Bowery King seemingly threatening war with the High Table at the end of John Wick 3.
Speaking about reprising his role, he told Collider: "I read the script. It’s really, really cool. As much as it’s the same world as the other three films, it’s just deeper."
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Meanwhile, an impressive list of stars are joining the cast for this instalment, including Rogue One star Donnie Yen, Stowaway's Shamier Anderson, It star Bill Skarsgård, Mortal Kombat's Hiroyuki Sanada, Billions star Clancy Brown, Doctor Strange's Scott Adkins and singer-songwriter Rina Sawayama in her film debut.
Meanwhile, Chilean actor Marko Zaror, who previously starred in Alita: Battle Angel, has been confirmed to be playing John Wick's latest adversary.
John Wick 4 plot
Exact plot details tend to be kept relatively sparse ahead of release but the film will follow on from the events of John Wick 3, which saw Wick with a $14 million bounty on his head.
Fighting past the world’s most ruthless assassins, Wick looked set to be a dead man as that film drew to a close but he lived to see another day, expressing his anger with murky organisation The High Table who put the hefty price on his life. The fourth instalment has been teed up as a battle between the assassin and the powerful criminal council.
According to a brief synopsis, it will follow John as he uncovers a path to defeating the High Table – although naturally he first must face off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe and forces that turn old friends into new foes.
The film has not been written by Derek Kolstad, who penned the first three films in the franchise, with the writer telling Collider that it wasn't his decision.
"When you think of the contractually of these things, the third one I shared the credit with any number of people, they didn't have to come back to me, and so they didn't," he said. "At a certain stage the studio will tell you, your creation is graduated, and you wish it well. I'm still close with Chad (Stahelski), still close with David (Leitch), and I don't know what's going to happen, but I'm excited to see.”
Mike Finch – whose previous credits include American Assassin and The November Man – has instead taken on main writing duties, while Shay Hatten is also credited.
Meanwhile back in 2021, Lance Reddick teased that fans were in for a couple of surprises.
Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com, he teased, "It’s got a great cast. And, um, a couple of big surprises. That’s all I can say.”
John Wick 4 trailer
There have been a couple of trailers released for the film, the latest of which teases just some of the major obstacles lying in John Wick's path. Check it out below:
The first trailer launched in late 2022, which you can also watch below.
John Wick 4 will be released in cinemas on 24th March 2023. Check out more of our Film coverage, or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on.
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