Why John Wick 5 Needs To Be A Team-Up Movie | Screen Rant
The John Wick franchise has had periodic roles for some of his friends, and having them all team-up with him on John's vengeance-fueled story would be the perfect gimmick for John Wick 5. The next installment of the series John Wick: Chapter 4 is set to include Donnie Yen in the role of an old friend of John's, reportedly named Caine. While not much else is known about Yen's role, this could be how the film explores more of its title character's history.
The previous John Wick movies have shown some of the hitman's other friends and accomplices, including John Leguizamo's mechanic Aurelio in the first two films, while John Wick: Chapter 2 also saw John form an alliance with the Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne). Additionally, John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum introduced his old acquaintance Sofia (Halle Berry), though the two had clearly had a falling out. With John now at odds with the High Table, a collaboration between him and the acquaintances who have helped him in previous films is an area the franchise should explore.
Yen's role in John Wick 4 could help set this up in a significant way. John Wick 4 and John Wick 5 were originally set to film back-to-back, before those plans were abandoned in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. This could suggest that Yen's character might be intended to return for another entry, and as one friend lending John support, he wouldn't need to be alone. Auriello, the Bowery King, and Sofia have each made an impact on the franchise in their own ways, and all would be well-positioned to come back to fight alongside the franchise's famed killer.
John Wick 5 could even introduce a few new action stars to the John Wick franchise. Each John Wick movie has brought new friends and foes into the franchise, and the role Yen embodies seemingly could be one of John's closest allies with the way his role is being positioned. Furthermore, the series has consistently emphasized John as being possibly the most respected and legendary assassin in the world, even during his retirement at the beginning of the first John Wick, so introducing a few more in John Wick 5 would just continue building on his mythical reputation.
John's also facing his biggest challenge yet going into John Wick 4, having been excommunicated from the Continental and betrayed by Winston (Ian McShane). Meanwhile, John accepted the Bowery King's offer to join forces against the High Table, and that promises to be a confrontation like he has never faced before. Having Yen's Caine also on his side will level the playing field considerably for John, but with John Wick 5 to continue the story from there, the stakes seem likely to escalate even further. As formidable as he is on his own, John forming a team of his closest associates for John Wick: Chapter 5 would be the best way for the series lead to make his stand against the High Table, whether or not John Wick meets his end.