How often have we seen the third movie in a franchise land with a thud and basically ruin the series? Beverly Hills Cop 3 , anyone? Rush Hour 3 ? Spider-Man 3 ? And the only reason we don’t think of Batman Forever as a horrible third movie is because Batman & Robin was so abysmally awful that it’s frequently — and rightfully — brought up in “worst movies of all-time” lists.
And Keanu Reeves hasn’t completely avoided that list of disappointing third installments.
It’s safe to say that The Matrix: Revolutions is pretty much forgotten about, especially compared with the original’s place in movie history.
RELATED STORIES
So, given what a good dude Keanu is, it’s nice to see him buck that trend with the third John Wick flick.
And he did it in style, naturally.
John Wick 3: Chapter 3 — Parabellum had a suitably explosive opening weekend, raking in just shy of $57 million at the domestic box office and $92 million around the globe. That was good enough to knock Avengers: Endgame off the weekly box office pedestal, which is no small feat.
Considering the franchise’s humble beginnings, it’s astounding to see how much Keanu has managed to grow John Wick.
He and director Chad Stahelski have managed connect with a wide audience, and it shows. Heck, Chapter 3 only just opened, and John Wick has already been confirmed for a fourth installment, coming in May 2021.
The announcement came in a creative and unusual fashion.
Fans were asked to text a number, and when they did, they received a reply saying “You have served. You will be of service. John Wick: Chapter 4 is coming – May 21, 2021.”
Although a release date is the only detail we’ve got, there is definitely more in store for John Wick.
In January 2018, Lionsgate, the studio behind the franchise, announced a small screen spinoff was in the works, with Stahleski and Keanu signed on as executive producers. “They have a writers’ room working on it right now, trying to develop the first season,” Stahleski told Entertainment Weekly . “Keanu and I have sat with that creative element and laid out what we feel makes John Wick special, and what would make the TV show unique. Now, it will be a round of back-and-forths. But yeah, Lionsgate is in actual full development of it and it’s called The Continental . It should be fun.”
So, one little movie about an assassin getting revenge on the guys who killed his dog has spawned a whole universe now.
And Keanu has already said that he’s game to wear John Wick’s suit for as long as he possibly can. When GQ asked how long he’d be willing to play the assassin, he said “As far as my legs will take me. As far as the audience wants to go.
“He’s got this beautiful, tragic conundrum — these two selves. The John who was married, and John Wick, the assassin. John wants to be free. But the only way he knows how is through John Wick.”
How long Keanu’s body will hold up is always a question.
He’s already 54 — but he’s also legendarily ageless, so you wouldn’t know it. And as long as he’s enjoying the role, you can’t count him out!
