When the first John Wick film was released in 2014, few could have predicted that the story of a grieving assassin avenging his dog would ignite one of the most revered and visually arresting action franchises of the modern era. Nearly a decade on, the John Wick Universe has exploded into a full-scale cinematic experience — a stylistic, brutal, and deeply codified world built on blood oaths, clandestine hotels, and bulletproof suits.
This isn’t just about sequels anymore. With spin-offs, prequels, and cross-medium expansions in full swing, the John Wick universe is rapidly evolving into an ecosystem of interconnected stories, characters, and locations — much like the Marvel or Star Wars franchises, but with far fewer capes and far more headshots.
This article explores the new John Wick universe of movies: what exists, what’s in development, who’s involved, and how the franchise is redefining modern action storytelling.
🎬 The Foundation: A Quick Look at the Core John Wick Films
Let’s first recap the four films that built the mythology:
John Wick (2014)
A retired assassin, John Wick (Keanu Reeves), is pulled back into the underworld after a mobster’s son kills his puppy — a gift from his late wife. What follows is a masterclass in gun-fu, minimal dialogue, and worldbuilding-through-action.
John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)
The universe expands with the introduction of the High Table, marker coins, and the Continental Hotel’s sacred ground rule. Wick is forced back into service and betrayed, setting the tone for the saga’s larger chessboard of power and betrayal.
John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019)
Wick is declared “excommunicado” and must fight his way through legions of assassins. The film gives us deeper insights into the inner workings of the High Table and introduces new allies like Sofia (Halle Berry).
John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)
A visually breathtaking globe-trotting finale (for now) where Wick battles across Paris, Osaka, and Berlin, culminating in a dramatic duel at Sacré-Cœur. The ending, ambiguous and poetic, lays the groundwork for the future of the universe.
🧠 Why It Works: More Than Just Stylish Violence
The success of the John Wick franchise can be attributed to three key elements:
- Choreography Over Chaos: Every fight scene is a ballet. Stunts are practical, inventive, and meticulous.
- Worldbuilding Without Exposition: The rules of the universe are revealed through action, not narration.
- Consistency of Tone: From cinematography to costume design, the films are coherent in style and language.
It’s a franchise that respects the intelligence of its audience and treats action as an art form.
🌍 Expanding the Universe: The Spin-Offs and Beyond
With Chapter 4 positioning John Wick’s story as potentially complete (for now), the franchise has shifted focus towards expansion.
1. The Continental: From the World of John Wick (2023)
- Format: Limited series (3 episodes)
- Platform: Peacock (US), Amazon Prime (international)
- Set in: 1970s New York
- Follows: A young Winston Scott (played by Colin Woodell), chronicling the rise of the Continental Hotel.
🧩 Why it matters: The Continental is the cornerstone of the Wick world. Exploring its origins builds depth and reveals the early days of assassin society.
2. Ballerina (2025)
- Star: Ana de Armas as Rooney
- Also features: Keanu Reeves (cameo), Ian McShane, Anjelica Huston, and Norman Reedus
- Directed by: Len Wiseman
- Premise: A ballerina-assassin trained at the Ruska Roma school seeks revenge on those who killed her family.
🧩 Why it matters: First full-length feature film spin-off with a female lead. Rooney’s character was briefly introduced in John Wick: Chapter 3 — she represents the next generation of assassins.
3. John Wick: Chapter 5 (Status: Unknown)
Originally planned to be filmed back-to-back with Chapter 4, it’s now uncertain whether Chapter 5 will move forward — especially given the final scene in Chapter 4 which suggests Wick may be dead… or faking it.
🧩 Fan theory: Wick faked his death to escape the cycle. There’s narrative room to bring him back under a new identity.
🏛️ The High Table: A Mythological System Worth Expanding
The High Table is the shadowy cabal governing the assassin world. We’ve seen glimpses of its power, but there’s still mystery around:
- Its true leadership structure
- How regions are managed (e.g., The Elder in the desert)
- The global network of Continental hotels
Expanding through spin-offs allows writers to delve deeper into its layers, politics, and betrayals.
🎨 Style & Symbolism: The Wick Visual Language
- Costume: Wick’s suit isn’t just stylish — it’s literal body armour. Every character has a visual signature.
- Lighting: Neon noir. Every film uses rich hues (purples, reds, blues) to signal mood and theme.
- Architecture: Settings are never random. Churches, museums, ancient ruins — all reflective of legacy and ritual.
This visual consistency makes the Wick universe immediately recognisable.
📺 What’s Next? Possible Directions for the Franchise
A Japanese Continental?
After Chapter 4 introduced the Osaka Continental, many fans expect a standalone story set in Japan. Shimizu Koji’s calm yet fierce manager left a lasting impression.
The Tracker (Mr. Nobody)
Shamier Anderson’s Tracker, a charming bounty hunter with a dog companion, was a breakout character in Chapter 4. There’s strong fan demand for his own series or film.
More Ruska Roma Backstory
With Anjelica Huston’s character and the ballet/assassin training school, there’s potential to go full Black Swan meets Bourne.
Virtual or Animated Expansions
An anime series or high-end animated spin-off could explore parts of the Wick world too risky or abstract for live action.
🎯 Why the Franchise Matters to Cinema
John Wick revived action cinema by:
- Bringing back practical stunts in the CGI era
- Elevating martial arts choreography
- Creating a visually-driven narrative world
It also sparked a wave of Wick-inspired films:
- Nobody (2021)
- Atomic Blonde (2017)
- Extraction (2020)
- The Equalizer reboot
🔚 Final Note
The John Wick universe of movies is no longer just a niche action series — it’s a cinematic mythology. As Hollywood shifts towards universes rather than franchises, John Wick’s code-based world of honour, violence, and control has carved out a unique corner in popular culture.
Whether Wick is truly dead or waiting in the shadows for one last job, one thing is certain: this world is far from done expanding.
