John Wick: Chapter 4 director Chad Stahelski reveals that he shot an alternate ending which was shown to test audiences. For people who have not seen Keanu Reeves’ latest film, there are spoilers ahead. For everyone else, carry on reading.
The film gives us a definite end to the character. Even though we have heard that ideas are floating around for John Wick 5, which was initially planned before part 4 started filming. For a time, parts 4 and 5 were to be filmed back-to-back.
It seemed that the director was able to focus on what was important and give the main lead a proper end in one film instead of stretching it to another. Based on a recent interview with the director, he did make a scene that would potentially have given Wick a future.
John Wick: Chapter 4’s Alternate Ending Would Have Opened up for Chapter 5
READ MORE: New John Wick Spinoff Movie In Development
Stahelski told Collider that he did make a different ending to John Wick: Chapter 4. He said:
I got a lot of faces. I mean, I have a very good relationship with Lionsgate. They’re great, they’ve been very supportive, but I don’t think any exec or any producer in the world would smile when you say you’re gonna kill off their successful franchise character. […]
Lionsgate obviously wants to continue the franchise as long as it can. Which is why they have made plans for spin-offs like Ballerina and The Continental. But of course, they wanted the main lead to continuing if possible. Stahelski continued:
But, you want to have that confrontation, like, ‘Look, this is what’s right,’ but you’ve got to see it from their side, too. […] But you know, ‘Let me try to execute it the way we are. Let me build the story around it and I’ll do you a solid. I’ll tell you what, I’ll shoot the ending two ways, you know, with one extra little thing, two extra little shots. I’ll let you know he’s alive, and I’m gonna leave it up to the audience to decide, and we’re gonna test both.’ […] And they were super cool.
It seems that Lionsgate requested a scene that would have shown that Wick would have survived the events of the film. And it was filmed and shown to a test audience.
They let me go through the whole movie. […] … and you know, the test audience has definitely had a favorite of that, which is the ending that you guys saw, and it was nice to show and get actual feedback […] And everyone was very understanding of that, and it was good to come to that conclusion together without having to fight it or force it.
In the end, the audience themselves have decided that John Wick should meet his wife at last. Give him the rest he deserves.
While I’m happy that both Stahelski and Reeves found a proper end to the character, I still wonder if we’ll ever see the alternate ending. Perhaps via the movie’s home release on Blu-ray. I am curious to see it.
John Wick Would Have Survived Chapter 4 in an Alternate Ending
Credit: Lionsgate
READ MORE: Keanu Reeves Has One Condition For John Wick 5 Return
Lionsgate wants to continue John Wick for sure, but it all depends on Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves. Reeves himself also said that he might reprise his character, but it also depends on if there is a story that needs to be told and if Stahelski would return to direct.
Keanu Reeves’ John Wick is still set to return at least once more in Ana De Armas’ Ballerina. The spinoff film is set to be in between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4. The movie is set to release in 2024. After that, we don’t really know if Wick will return.
A sequel to Ballerina is also in early development, but that will still depend on the success of the first film.
A TV series for Peacock called The Continental is also in the works, which takes place several years before the events of John Wick. The series will star Colin Woodel as a young Winston Scott (originally played by Ian McShane).
Other spinoffs are planned with the likes of Halle Berry’s Sophia (from John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum), The Bowery King (which was played by Laurence Fishburne), and Akira (played by Rina Sawayama). All of them are in early development, which is confirmed by John Wick producer Erica Lee.
John Wick 5 could still happen, but for now, it is done.
Would you want to see John Wick: Chapter 4’s alternate ending? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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Although I loved the entire chapter 4 and the ending. Yes I would love to see the alternate ending.
Yeah, I would like to see an alternative ending. I know the ending worked but I would have loved seeing him disappear and for the 5th movie he comes out of retirement (for a second time) to avenge a death of a close friend…maybe even Winston. I’m just not ready to let John Wick go.
I think john wick 5 can be done where he kills higher tables ounce and for all leaving no one around so he can be free at last and maybe passes to see Helen ?!