Keanu Reeves on John Wick 5—His Heart Says Yes, His Knees Say No

Keanu Reeves, the man who turned a grieving hitman avenging his dog into a billion-dollar franchise, has given fans a brutally honest update on the possibility of John Wick 5. While promoting his voice role as the villain Shadow in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 on CBS Mornings, the 60-year-old actor said, “You can never say never — but my knees right now are saying, ‘You can’t do another John Wick.’”
He went on to add, “My heart [wants to], but I don’t know if my knees can do it.”

And honestly, it makes sense. The John Wick films are some of the most physically demanding action movies out there. Reeves has always thrown himself into these roles, performing grueling stunts that would make younger actors question their life choices. Even Reeves himself called John Wick 4 his “hardest physical role” yet, joking that some days on set were so intense, “you throw up or puke or whatever, but that’s what makes it good.”

But now, as Keanu himself recognizes, he might be running out of road—or cartilage.

Hollywood hates letting a successful franchise rest, and the John Wick universe is no exception. With Keanu hinting that his reign as the unkillable assassin may be over, the spinoff movie Ballerina, starring Ana de Armas, seems poised to carry the torch.

However, we can’t help but feel skeptical about this direction. Look, we love a badass female lead as much as the next person, but the whole “90-pound woman effortlessly taking down dozens of burly henchmen twice her size” trope? It’s beyond tired. Hollywood keeps doubling down on this fantasy, and time and time again, audiences are left unimpressed. (Rebel Moon, anyone?)

And Ana de Armas, while a fine actress, already leaned into this same trope in No Time to Die. Do we need another iteration of the same character in Ballerina? If Hollywood’s track record with unwanted female spin-offs replacing beloved male protagonists is any indicator, we’re not holding our breath.

Here’s the thing. John Wick wasn’t just about the action. Sure, the insane choreography and stunt work made it a spectacle, but the heart of it was Keanu Reeves as John Wick. His quiet, stoic rage. His vulnerability. His physicality. Keanu brought a depth to Wick that elevated the series beyond your average action flick.

Co-directors Chad Stahelski and David Leitch agree, crediting Keanu’s uncompromising work ethic and emotional authenticity as the glue that bound the franchise together. “There really is no other person that could play John Wick,” Leitch said in a recent interview. And he’s absolutely right. Despite the high-octane madness, Keanu grounded the chaos with a performance that felt raw and real.

By contrast, Ballerina feels like yet another studio cash grab—a way to milk the John Wick name while sidelining the very qualities that made the franchise special. Without Reeves at the center, what’s left? More paper-thin “girl boss” caricatures fighting against increasingly impossible odds? It’s as if studio execs are throwing darts at a dartboard labeled “trendy-but-failing” and praying for hits.

While fans would love to see another John Wick film, Reeves pulling back might not be the worst idea. John Wick 4 wrapped things up ambiguously, but Baba Yaga’s presumed death after one final duel gave the character closure.

Dragging the story out further could cheapen what’s already an exceptional legacy with diminishing returns. If Reeves himself doesn’t feel physically capable of delivering the level of performance audiences expect, forcing another installment would be disingenuous to the spirit of the series.

The reality is that not every franchise needs to turn into a cinematic universe. Sometimes, it’s okay to end on a high note and leave audiences wanting more.

If John Wick 5 is truly off the table, don’t worry—Keanu’s not retiring anytime soon. He’s already lined up to voice Shadow in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, a villainous role that doesn’t require him to destroy his knees for our entertainment. “There are no physical limitations, just your voice!” joked director Jeff Fowler during their recent interview. Keanu’s response? “I’m free!”

And maybe that’s exactly what Reeves deserves as he approaches his 60s—a chance to step back from the grueling physicality of action roles while continuing to lend his talent to other creative projects.

While we all love the idea of seeing Keanu Reeves suit up as John Wick one last time, perhaps it’s better to let the franchise rest on its well-earned laurels. John Wick gave us four incredible films, a billion-dollar legacy, and some of the most jaw-dropping action sequences cinema has to offer.

If Ballerina wants to prove itself worthy of carrying the franchise forward, it’ll need to do a lot more than recycle tropes and trade on the John Wick name. Otherwise, it risks becoming yet another forgettable attempt to cash in on what was once great.

For now, we’ll cherish the Wick saga for what it is. And hey, if Keanu’s knees miraculously recover? We’ll be the first in line for John Wick 5.