The John Wick franchise is that rare series of films where each installment improves upon the next. Where the first John Wick, about a hitman (Keanu Reeves) pulled out of retirement to avenge the death of his puppy was intriguing, the next film John Wick: Chapter 2, about the hitman now forced to turn against his league of assassins, was even better. And the third and most recent chronicle, John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum saw even more world-building and more spectacular action sequences.
With a fourth film in the works, here are the main theories around.
MORE HIGH TABLE MEMBERS WILL BE REVEALED
So far, we’ve been introduced to several members of the High Table, with a new member revealed with each new John Wick film. With stars eager to be a part of the franchise (Halle Berry campaigned for a role in the third film), we anticipate not only will we get to meet new members of the High Table in the next installment, but they’ll be played by some top tier talent.
No doubt we haven’t seen the last of The Director, The Adjudicator, or The Elder, but who knows what other positions we may meet? With 12 seats said to be occupied, there are many more levels of hierarchical society that haven’t seen the last of John Wick.
JOHN WICK WILL GO AFTER THE ELDER
In the third John Wick film, we finally saw Baba Yaga go face to face with The Elder, the man at the head of the High Table. John Wick needed to find a way back into the society of assassin’s he had become excommunicated from, and the only way to accomplish this was at The Elder’s discretion. From his oasis out in the middle of the Morroccan desert, the mysterious figurehead decided the Boogey Man’s fate.
In order to have his privileges restored and his name reinstated amongst the operating assassins, The Elder demanded a steep payment - John Wick’s wedding ring, finger attached.
THE HIGH TABLE WILL GET DESTROYED
By the end of Parabellum, John Wick was pretty unhappy with the High Table. The elite arbiters of his assassins guild had made his life very difficult and dangerous, and their rules were prohibiting him from getting out of the life of a contract killer. He’d achieved his revenge some time ago, but the means had ensured he’d never be rid of the High Table unless he was killed or all of its 12 members were.
It’s unclear what would happen if Wick cut the head off the snake, but other assassins have already been known to cover a position on the High Table for its power and influence.
WINSTON WILL JOIN JOHN WICK’S CRUSADE
As the manager of The Continental, the unique hotel and sanctuary for assassins, Winston has seen to the needs of all sorts of elite killers, but he has shown a special affection for John Wick. He has looked the other way when Wick has bent the rules of the High Table, even when it has cost him his managerial position. Winston has risked being stripped of his rank for Wick, losing his beloved hotel in the process.
Though Winston appeared to have turned on John Wick at the finale of the third film by shooting him and leaving him for dead, fans theorize that because he shot him non vital areas, he was giving him a way to fake his demise. When Wick returns, Winston may wish to join forces for the indignities he’s suffered at the hands of the High Table, especially The Adjudicator.
OTHER ASSASSINS WILL WORK WITH JOHN WICK
John Wick may find that other assassins may have had enough of the High Table and work with him to bring it down. He spared the life of Ares in the second film, leaving the door open for another appearance by her. And despite his dealings in Morocco with Sofia, he may find an ally in her yet again. She responded to his marker, and they have a long history of being comrades in arms.
John Wick may not be the only assassin to have crossed the High Table and lived. There may be other assassins who, once they learn about his mission, choose to come out of hiding and offer their aid. Perhaps The Continental TV series will reveal more of their identities.
THE BOWERY KING WILL SEEK REVENGE ON THE ADJUDICATOR
The Bowery King got a rough comeuppance for lending aid to John Wick, courtesy of The Adjudicator. Because he gave John Wick a gun and passage through his area of New York City, he received his punishment in the form of being sliced to ribbons among his carrier pigeons.
Audiences might have thought that was the last we saw of him in Parabellum, but he appeared at the conclusion of the film, looking like Frankenstein’s Monster lurking in the bowels of the metropolis. He seemed to agree with John Wick that the High Table needed to be taught a lesson for the mistreatment of its associates.
THE HIGH TABLE WILL UP THE ANTE
At the epic conclusion of the third John Wick film, Baba Yaga had regained his privileges at The Continental and prepared to lead an armed assault against the paramilitary teams the High Table sent to deal with him. With the help of Winston and Charon, the teams were easily dispatched, and there may have been good reason for that beyond the trio’s skill.
The Adjudicator indicated to Winston later on the roof top that the teams consisted of just the “first wave” of personnel that would be dispatched to either kill Wick or bring him to stand trail in front of the High Table. This implies that in the fourth installment in the franchise, the High Table will be upping the ante.
IT WILL START A WHILE AFTER CHAPTER 3
The three John Wick films take place in just a few short weeks. The first film takes place in roughly a week and a half, and the third has to account for all Wick’s international traveling. For the fourth film, the powers that be may consider letting John Wick rest up before he jumps into action.
If he’s going to go up against the High Table, he’ll want to regroup and plan his attack. They believe he died at Winston’s hand, which will work to his advantage if he works with the Bowery King behind the scenes to raise arms. If nothing else, John Wick needs time to rest up and heal from his chaotic adventures.
JOHN WICK WILL GET A LOVE INTEREST
While the John Wick films have never specifically centered around romance, the backbone of the franchise revolves around Wick’s memory of his dead wife. It’s his driving force, and while it seems that he won’t forget her anytime soon, he may meet someone new that gives him a reason for living and getting out of the assassin racket.
Wick has already achieved his revenge for his dog and his car, and he’s already taken out the prominent members in the assassin’s guild and surrounding crime families that have wronged him. Staying alive simply to remember his dead wife isn’t a strong enough motive to sustain a fourth film, much less a continuing franchise.
IT WON’T LIVE UP TO EXPECTATIONS
John Wick is a rare franchise where each installment improves upon its predecessor. It was impossible to think that the sequels to John Wick could match its visual styling and commanding narrative, but they managed to not only match it but blow past it.
Fans wonder if it will be possible for the series to keep up is stamina and deliver another smart, adrenaline-fueled action romp. Some feel it won’t live up to the hype that’s been surrounding the series for several years, and be a let down to those that have sung its praises. After all, the John Wick franchise has a reputation for being one of the most innovative action series in the genre.
