When ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ premiered in theaters earlier this year, audiences were left with varying interpretations of the film’s conclusion. While it may appear that the titular hero, played by Keanu Reeves, meets his demise after settling all debts and succumbing to his injuries, the scene intentionally maintains some ambiguity, leading fans to question Wick’s fate. As fans eagerly await more John Wick action, director Chad Stahelski has revealed that the film initially had a less open-ended ending.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the future of the John Wick franchise—reports of a fifth film in development with Stahelski’s involvement remain undecided—the director disclosed that Chapter 4 originally had a more definitive conclusion. “We had a different ending,” Stahelski told Empire. “The theatrical ending was the one Keanu and I preferred, but we filmed an alternative ending.” This alternate ending would have eliminated any speculation about Wick’s fate from the start. Stahelski explained, “We shot an ending where you actually saw John Wick at the end of the movie. So it was very clear that he was still alive. However, the test audiences overwhelmingly preferred the ambiguous ending.”
In the theatrical version, when Winston (Ian McShane) and the Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne) visit the hit-man’s grave, the latter ponders whether Wick has found himself in “heaven or hell,” to which Winston responds with a noncommittal “who knows.” This sparked a plethora of fan theories, as viewers contemplated whether Wick had staged his death to live out his remaining days in peace. The speculation intensified when Wick’s pitbull suddenly turns its head towards something—or rather, someone.
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Chapter 4 Was Always Intended as Wick’s Finale
Although the possibility of Wick’s return remains open, the film’s director has made it clear that his original intention for the fourth installment was to provide a fitting conclusion to the seemingly invincible assassin’s story. Both Stahelski and Reeves felt dissatisfied with ‘Chapter 3 – Parabellum,’ with Stahelski admitting, “We didn’t feel like we had given our best. We both believed that we could have ended the series on a stronger note.” He further added, “We didn’t feel like we nailed the landing, and that’s a terrible feeling. We adore the character, we enjoy working together, and we love the world.” This led them to continue the narrative, ultimately deciding, “Yeah, he has to die. And we need to find the coolest way to make that happen.”
While the fate of ‘John Wick 5’ remains uncertain, the franchise will continue with the prequel series ‘The Continental’ and the spin-off film ‘Ballerina,’ led by Ana de Armas.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Alternate ending
What did director Chad Stahelski reveal about “John Wick: Chapter 4”?
Director Chad Stahelski revealed that “John Wick: Chapter 4” originally had an alternate ending, which would have provided a clear indication of John Wick’s fate. However, the theatrical release opted for a more ambiguous conclusion.
Why did the director shoot an alternate ending?
The director and Keanu Reeves, who plays John Wick, wanted to explore different possibilities for the character’s fate. They filmed an ending where John Wick is shown to be alive, but test audiences preferred the ambiguous ending that was ultimately chosen for the theatrical release.
Did the ambiguous ending spark fan theories?
Yes, the ambiguous ending sparked numerous fan theories and speculations about whether John Wick had faked his death to live in peace. The final scene, along with the appearance of Wick’s pitbull turning towards something or someone, fueled the speculation even further.
Was “John Wick: Chapter 4” intended to be the end of the series?
No, “John Wick: Chapter 4” was not initially planned as the end of the series. However, the director and Keanu Reeves were dissatisfied with the previous installment, “Chapter 3 – Parabellum,” and felt they could deliver a stronger conclusion to the character’s story.
What is the status of the franchise and upcoming projects?
While the future of “John Wick 5” remains uncertain, there are plans for the franchise to continue with the prequel series called “The Continental” and a spin-off film titled “Ballerina,” featuring Ana de Armas in a leading role.
More about Alternate ending
- Empire: John Wick: Chapter 4 Director Chad Stahelski Reveals Alternate Ending
- Screen Rant: John Wick 4 Originally Had a Different Ending, Says Director
- Deadline: ‘John Wick’ Director Chad Stahelski Talks ‘Chapter 4’
- Collider: Chad Stahelski Reveals ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ Originally Had an Ending Where You Saw John Wick
