John Wick: Chapter 3 is now in production and looking to shoot its way into theaters in the increasingly crowded 2019 corridor. Lionsgate has dated the third (and perhaps final?) installment in the Keanu Reeves-led action series for May 19th, 2019, and with things now heating up, the cast is beginning to come together.
Just a few weeks ago, we heard that Halle Berry was circling a role in the threequel and today, The Hollywood Reporter brings word that the actress is now locked in. Details on who she’ll play remain under wraps for the moment, but the outlet says it won’t be the film’s villain.
We don’t expect to learn more about her involvement for quite some time, unfortunately, but from what we understand, Chapter 3 will seemingly deliver a “neat completion” to the Wick saga, after Reeves’ hitman was last seen stumbling out of New York City with countless assassins on his tail.
Beyond that, we’ve also been provided with the following synopsis, which gives us some hints as to where we’re going:
John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is on the run for two reasons… he’s being hunted for a global $14 million dollar open contract on his life, and for breaking a central rule: taking a life on Continental Hotel grounds. The victim was a member of the High Table who ordered the open contract.
John should have already been executed, except the Continental’s manager, Winston, has given him a one-hour grace period before he’s “Excommunicado” – membership revoked, banned from all services and cut off from other members. John uses the service industry to stay alive as he fights and kills his way out of New York City.
If the original John Wick drew praise for its refined, minimalist nature – it arguably struck the perfect balance between style and substance – then Chapter 2 felt somewhat bloated by comparison, and lost that neo-noir feel by expanding its plot across an international scope. Here’s hoping that the third (and potentially final?) chapter can recapture what made the original sleeper hit so special to begin with, then.
Perhaps Keanu Reeves’ legendary assassin will even get the chance to retire? More on John Wick: Chapter 3 when we get it.
