Baba Yaga Rises Again: Keanu Reeves Returns in ‘John Wick: Chapter 5’ Buzz

Las Vegas, Oct. 4, 2025 – Just when fans thought the Baba Yaga’s tale had ended in a hail of bullets and betrayal, Lionsgate has ignited the fuse for John Wick: Chapter 5, confirming the unstoppable assassin’s return with Keanu Reeves locked in to reprise his iconic role. Announced at April’s CinemaCon amid thunderous applause, the sequel promises to resurrect the franchise’s signature blend of balletic gun-fu, shadowy underworld intrigue, and Reeves’ brooding intensity – all while grossing over $1 billion across its predecessors.

Director Chad Stahelski, the visionary behind the series’ kinetic choreography since day one, returns to helm the project, joined by producers Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee. In a June interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Stahelski teased the script by co-writer Mike Finch: “We’ve got a pretty good story that I think is cool.” But the real head-scratcher? Wick’s apparent death in Chapter 4‘s Paris duel. “It’s a bit of a conundrum,” Stahelski admitted, hinting at a fresh narrative that sidesteps retconning while exploring new threats beyond the High Table – no time travel, just pure, Wick-style ingenuity.

Plot details remain under wraps, but expect the Continental’s marble halls to echo with vengeance once more, potentially weaving in threads from spin-offs like the just-released Ballerina (starring Ana de Armas as a vengeful dancer-assassin) and the upcoming Caine film, directed by and starring Donnie Yen. Reeves, ever the humble hitman, told outlets he’s game only if it honors the fans: “The only reason we’ve had a chance to make these movies is that people have liked what we have done.”

No release date yet – principal photography isn’t slated until late 2025 or early 2026 – but with the animated prequel The Impossible Task also in the works, the Wickverse is expanding faster than a pencil through a skull. As Stahelski puts it, they’re crafting something “phenomenal and fresh.” In a world craving more Continental coins and impossible odds, John Wick’s fifth chapter can’t come soon enough. Lock and load – the Boogeyman’s back.