After four spectacular action films, the story of John Wick, the greatest contract killer of his era, is in a strange position. The stunning ending of John Wick: Chapter 4 left fans and audience members wondering whether a fifth entry is in the cards. Some stories within Wick's world are over, but who among the John Wick 4 cast should make a grand return?
The success of the John Wick franchise defies expectations. A star thought to be past his prime and a simple premise stumbled into outstanding execution and a devoted fanbase. It's one of few blockbuster film series to stay prominent through good word of mouth rather than recognizable IP. John Wick might not save action cinema, but he'll keep it interesting.
Which characters in the John Wick 4 cast survived the movie?
Spoiler warning; one crucial member of the John Wick 4 cast didn't survive. John Wick: Chapter 4 depicts the bittersweet demise of John Wick. The hero of the franchise, who donated his name to the title, finally gave his life to his quest for revenge. Fans saw him pass, then watched his friends attend his funeral. Wick is far from the only assassin in his criminal underworld. Those who saw John Wick: Chapter 2 might conclude that contract killing has become the most common occupation on Earth. Fans have watched many of John's friends die in agony, but there are still countless killers under the High Table.
The John Wick 4 cast introduces Caine, an old friend of Wick's who is dragged out of retirement to hunt him down. Portrayed by martial arts legend Donnie Yen, Caine is a blind assassin with endless innovations to make him more lethal. Caine survives his final duel with John Wick and returns to retirement. As Caine tracks down Wick, he kills their mutual pal Koji. Koji's daughter, Shimazu Akira, hunts down Caine to continue the endless cycle of revenge. John Wick: Chapter 4 also introduces a bounty hunter named Mr. Nobody, who survives the film with his dog intact. A new High Table figure named the Harbinger makes it through the film. John's adoptive sister Katia doesn't get much screen time, but she's alive.
John Wick: Chapter 4 introduces many new faces, but it also includes several returning characters. Winston Scott is back to continue acting as the manager of the historic New York Continental Hotel. Winston is endangered, but he survives the film. The Bowery King is a crime lord who uses an army of homeless people as his soldiers. He appears to help John multiple times and attends his funeral in the final act. Characters who didn't appear in John Wick: Chapter 4 survived their earlier entries. The Adjudicator and the Director made it through John Wick: Chapter 3. The franchise still has a rich cast to pull from in a potential fifth film.
Who from the John Wick 4 cast should return?
The post-credits scene of John Wick: Chapter 4reveals Akira hunting Caine in Paris. The blind assassin has returned to his quiet life watching over his daughter, but a vengeful victim waits in the shadows. It's an excellent continuation of the themes of the first four films. Another killer tries to retire, but his life of violence continues to drag him backward. Rina Sawayama made her feature debut in the John Wick 4 cast, shocking many with a stellar performance. She'd be an excellent representative for a new generation of assassins. Donnie Yen is one of the most experienced martial arts stars, making him the perfect sinister antagonist for the franchise.
Caine didn't kill Akira's father willingly. He was acting under the orders of the High Table. The man who ordered the execution is dead, but many of its leaders still live. Clancy Brown as the Harbinger and Asia Kate Dillon as the Adjudicator could return. Each film has introduced a new villain, but returning antagonists from the John Wick 4 cast could add something to the developing story. Mr. Nobody has a strange place in the film, but he could come back to flesh out his character. His connection to the High Table is questionable, but he'd be an interesting companion in a new fight against them.
Without John Wick, the John Wick franchise will be easily dominated by the High Table. Wick was the only assassin skilled and self-destructive enough to fight their will. Winston and the Bowery King may oppose their leaders, but the tip of the spear had to be Wick. Without the Baba Yaga, a new master assassin must step into the suit. The criminal underworld still has so many stories to tell. Akira, Mr. Nobody, Caine, the Harbinger, Winston, the Bowery King, and many other members of the John Wick 4 cast should return to a prospective fifth film. If John Wick: Chapter 5 ever comes out, fans will love to see some returning faces.