John Wick Will Return: But Not As Baba Yaga?

The fifth installment in the popular action thriller franchise, John Wick, aka Baba Yaga, is all set to return. After the film’s hero, Keanu Reeves, the franchise director Chad Stahelski has confirmed that John Wick 5 is in production. The film may hit theaters sometime in late 2026.

In a latest interview with Empire, Chad Stahelski further revealed that John Wick 5 will be bold and unexpected, leading the franchise in a completely new direction, staying away from the “High Table” storyline, which was the main USP of the previous movies. Stahelski went on to drop a massive update, saying that the legacy of John Wick has primarily neared its conclusion.

Stahelski revealed that the upcoming chapter will be a totally standalone film with a fresh narrative. While Keanu Reeves is set to reprise his role in some capacity, he may not be seen as the crowd favourite Baba Yaga in the new film. The ace director further assured fans that the soon-to-release theatrical trailer will offer a glimpse into the film’s unique tone and premise.

Stahelski also confirmed that the John Wick universe will expand in the form of multiple spinoffs that will enter unexplored territories of the franchise. The spinoffs and standalone films will lay the foundation for the franchise’s future. An animated prequel that will explore John Wick’s early life is one of the upcoming spinoffs of the John Wick universe. This will be followed by a series titled Under the High Table that explores the sinister layers of the assassin underworld.

In addition, another kung fu spinoff film focusing on Donnie Yen’s character Cain is in production. Keanu Reeves is set to appear in Ballerina, which is slated for release on June 5, 2025. Ballerina chronicles the thirst for revenge of a young assassin., morning time pett iveseyi