Warning: Spoilers ahead for John Wick: Chapter 4.John Wick: Chapter 4 has a surprisingly definitive ending to John Wick’s story, but it still sets up an expanded universe, including the two confirmed spin-offs, which could see Reeves return as the assassin. In a shocking ending, John Wick dies after being shot by Caine and is buried next to his wife. But just because the Baba Yaga is six feet under doesn’t mean the franchise is over. The movie’s post-credit scene hints at a future film following Akira avenging her father’s death, and while there are no direct references, John Wick: Chapter 4 also teases two more projects that are well into development.
Two John Wick spin-offs will be released over the next couple of years. The first is the Peacock series The Continental, which follows a young Winston in the 70s. The Continental has a September release date and will be three 90-minute episodes. The second spin-off is the Ana de Armas-starring Ballerina, which follows Rooney, a member of the Ruska Roma, finding and killing the murderers of her family. Keanu Reeves has confirmed that he will feature in the spin-off movie, and John Wick: Chapter 4 makes some big moves in setting up the two projects.
How John Wick: Chapter 4 Sets Up The Ballerina Spinoff
Ultimately, Ballerina is a John Wick: Chapter 4 prequel, as it takes place between John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum and the fourquel. While movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and other huge franchises tease future characters in their post-credits scenes, John Wick: Chapter 4 does no such thing. De Armas doesn’t feature in the fourquel whatsoever, which is a surprise given that general audiences have no idea about the movie. However, it sets up the film in a much subtler way. Midway through the movie, John visits Berlin to meet with the Ruska Roma, a crime organization where John and Rooney grew up.
John reunites with his adoptive sister, Katia, at the organization’s headquarters in Berlin. Katia explains that she wants revenge on her father’s killer, similar to the plot of Rooney hunting down all of her family’s murderers in Ballerina, so there could be some crossover in Katia and Rooney’s stories, and they could even be sisters. There’s plenty of room for Wick to appear too. Though John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum picked up just seconds after John Wick: Chapter 2, there’s an eight-month gap between the third and fourth movie. Given Ballerina’s timeframe, Wick and Rooney cross paths when he’s recovering and training underground.
How John Wick: Chapter 4 Sets Up The Continental Prequel Series
John Wick: Chapter 4 makes more of an obvious effort to set up The Continental. The movie sets up the series in its final scene when Winston stands by Wick’s grave. As Winston rests his hand on Wick’s gravestone, a tattoo can be seen on his wrist. And though it’s still mostly hidden by his shirt cuff, it’s the same tattoo as Wick’s, revealing that he’s way more than just the manager of The Continental.
The final John Wick: Chapter 4 scene with Winston at Wick’s grave even hints that he could be Wick’s father. In the cemetery, Winston says in Russian, “Farewell, my Son.” And though “Son” is a term often used to refer to close friends, just like how Caine referred to Wick as his brother, the fact that Winston spoke in Russian is pretty revealing. Either way, whatever secrets he’s hiding will be revealed in the Peacock series, which will act as an origin story. However, Keanu Reeves isn’t confirmed to feature in the series, and given what is known about John Wick’s spin-off The Continental, it’s hard to see how he could.