John Wick 4 comes in strong this weekend as the international box office actually promises good numbers based on early ticket sales. The fourth chapter to the highly action-packed franchise delivers solid punches from Lionsgate, Thunder Road Films and 87 Eleven. Keanu Reeves remains formidable as the eponymous A-list assassin who only wishes to get his quiet life back.
Fans have waited patiently for this newest addition to the franchise after John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, where the end plainly guaranteed an even more graphic sequel. Wick is definitely opposing the High Table with the Bowery King, portrayed by Laurence Fishburne, as his ally. Having been betrayed by Ian McShane’s Winston Scott, there is a high chance Wick will be facing the New York Continental owner first.
From his last moments in the third movie, he answered the affirmative on whether he was pissed about his situation. And it could be about the High Table in its entirety. There are theories that fans have saying that Winston actually saved his life in the last part of the third movie.
If anything, Winston did not immediately pursue or ensure that Wick is truly ‘gone’. At the way earlier movies went, there is a possibility that Winston and the Bowery King are actually working together to overtake the High Table using John Wick as their ‘frontliner’.
The world is clearly not yet done with John Wick, and ticket sales proved it from the moment John wick 4 has started to roll out in its international screenings.
John Wick 4 In Perfect Form In The International Box Office
READ MORE: John Wick 4 Review: Save The Best For Last…?
According to Deadline, the early estimated box office record is $3.9M just this Wednesday, which includes Australia and New Zealand starting sales. The industry estimates that the movie will churn in $8M in domestic previews.
71 international box office territories will open their theatres this weekend to John Wick 4. The list includes Germany, France and Spain, which were not present during the first weekend of John Wick Parabellum.
The numbers even indicate an uptrend for the franchise. 2014 started with a $30M budget and punched in more than twice the cost at $76M. The sequel in 2017 had a slightly higher budget of $40M, which more than quadrupled at the international box office at $171M. Finally, Parabellum kept to the $40M budget and made exponential performance at $327M worldwide.
John Wick 4 is the most expensive movie yet from the companies behind the franchise. Starting off with $100M, one can only imagine the targeted numbers they have to ensure the green light for the 5th movie. Are they targeting at least $800M this time?
Considering the Critics’ Ratings on the previous three movies as well as the Verified Audience rating, the story and reception are also increasingly favourable. If there is a relation between the two – box office and reception – then they might just very well be on the road to hitting their targets.
In which case, John Wick Chapter 5 might regain its most-elusive green light from Lionsgate.
John Wick 4 Promises To Exceed Expectations
Credit: Summit Entertainment
READ MORE: Keanu Reeves To Play John Wick In Spinoff Series
Many fan theories are surfacing online, and they only add to the anticipation of finally watching John Wick 4. The storyline may be simplistic overall, but the execution and performance of the ensemble take it to greater heights.
Definitely, this fourth movie will be doubly meaningful as it is one of the last times that franchise fans will see Lance Reddick as Charon, the concierge at the Continental Hotel in New York. Speaking to CNN during the Hollywood premiere, Reeves said:
He was a beautiful, special person. (He) was a person of dignity and grace. I just feel really honored and grateful that I had a chance to have met him and worked with him.
Award-winning actor Lance Reddick, who recently passed away due to natural causes at the age of 60, was able to complete filming other projects, namely, White Men Can’t Jump, Shirley, Percy Jackson and the Olympians (1 episode), St. Sebastian and the assassin franchise spin-off Ballerina.
The entire cast and crew dedicate John Wick 4 to him as friends and fans offer words of comfort for his family. Director Chad Stahelski said in a joint statement with Reeves:
We are deeply saddened and heartbroken at the loss of our beloved friend and colleague Lance Reddick. He was the consummate professional and a joy to work with. Our love and prayers are with his wife Stephanie, his children, family and friends. We dedicate the film to his loving memory. We will miss him dearly.
If only they did get to shoot 4 and 5 back-to-back, Reddick would still have been able to portray Charon for the 5th chapter.
Do you think John Wick 4 will achieve targeted numbers to make Chapter 5 happen? Would Reddick’s passing affect how the franchise progresses? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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