If there’s one recurring theme of the John Wick underworld that tends to resonant with viewers the most – you know, beyond the bullet storms and subsequently astronomical body counts – it’s loyalty.
The golden rule of The Continental, for instance, states that all assassins must conduct their business off hotel grounds, or face the ultimate consequence, while Chapter 2 dabbled with the idea of a blood oath to hook Keanu Reeves’ sharp-suited hitman back into the game. On the other end of the screen, one creator who has pledged his sword (or should that be pen?) to the cause is scribe Derek Kolstad, after contributing to the original John Wick and its somewhat divisive sequel – a vocal minority prefer the lean, mean nature of Chad Stahelski and David Leitch’s sleeper hit over Chapter 2.
Regardless of which side of the fence you find yourself on, though, we’re pleased to report that Derek Kolstad is back in the saddle for John Wick: Chapter 3. Per THR, Kolstad has officially signed on to hash out a screenplay for Lionsgate and producer Basil Iwanyk, and will no doubt ensure that the core legacy of John Wick – the blistering action, the body counts, that unyielding loyalty – all remain intact as Keanu Reeves begins to dust himself down in preparation for his third globe-trotting mission.
Last seen limping out of Central Park, with seemingly every hitman in NYC on his trial, the possibilities for John Wick: Chapter 3 are endless – seriously, our own Matt Donato posted his wish list of nine crossovers you didn’t know you needed. One actor that wants in on the fun is Samuel L. Jackson, but it remains to be seen whether Lionsgate will take heed of Jackson’s plea.
As for the addition (return?) of Derek Kolstad, THR’s revelation is proof that John Wick: Chapter 3 is beginning to flicker into life. It’ll be some time yet before Reeves and Co. suit up for another cacophony of bombs and bullets, but we’ll keep you posted nevertheless.
