John Wick seemly died at the end of Chapter 4 and as Keanu Reeves returns in prequel Ballerina (set between Chapters 3 and 4) next month, fans are wondering how he’ll return in John Wick 5.

After all, Lionsgate has confirmed the sequel with the Hollywood star returning, so presumably, he faked his own death?

Franchise director Chad Stahelski weighed in on the fifth film in a new interview ahead of the spin-off’s cinematic release.

And by the sounds of it, John Wick 5 will be a totally different kettle of fish.

Speaking with Empire, Chad teased: “The saga of John Wick was pretty wrapped up. So the only way to do a 5 is to have a new story that involves John Wick. It’s not a continuation, with the High Table. John dealt with his grief. It will be really different, and everybody [will] see the trailer and go, ‘Holy f***… I gotta see that.’”

Apparently, the upcoming anime prequel movie (set before the original film) and the Under The High Table spin-off TV series will “lay the groundwork” for where John Wick 5 goes.

Chad added: “Our idea is to try some things and explore some threads and use those two properties to catapult us forward into the ideas for John 5.”

The new issue of Empire is out now and Ballerina hits cinemas on June 6, 2025.