John Wick: Chapter 3, the continuing adventures of Keanu Reeves’ indestructible hitman, will reportedly start filming on or around April 26th, 2018. The ultra-violent John Wick: Chapter 2 became a solid hit in 2017 for Lionsgate, grossing $92 million domestically. Director Chad Stahelski returns for the third installment, together with returning screenwriter Derek Kolstad.

The original John Wick released in 2014 and immediately garnered a cult following. The movie stars Keanu Reeves as Wick, a retired hitman who goes on a mad killing spree after Russian gangsters steal his beloved car and kill his even-more-beloved dog (both reminders of his recently deceased wife). John Wick 2 built out the first film’s universe, introducing us to the High Table, a council of crime bosses that runs the world. The film ends with a cliffhanger, as Wick disappears while pursued by seemingly the entire criminal underworld. Lionsgate announced a third John Wick movie last year, with Reeves returning as the ice-cold assassin.


Omega Underground now reports that the third installment in the John Wick saga will go before cameras starting on April 26th, 2018. This start date differs slightly from a previously reported date. The film will shoot in New York and Montreal, with possible additional photography in Russia and Spain. Keanu Reeves previously mentioned wanting to shoot in Tokyo and Jerusalem as well.


Previous reports indicated the return of John Wick 2 cast members Laurence Fishburne, Ruby Rose, Common and Ian McShane. They will reportedly be joined by Westworld actor Hiroyuki Sanada as the film’s main villain. The plot mostly remains under wraps, but Chad Stahelski promises the film will explore more of John Wick’s backstory. In the first two films of the series, Wick seems like a force of nature who comes from nowhere, but apparently he does have regular old human origins. Beyond the film series, the John Wick universe will get further fleshing out via a Starz TV series focusing on the movies’ mysterious hitman haven Continental Hotel.

For his part, Keanu Reeves said in an interview he’d like to see John Wick 3 turn into an Escape From New York scenario. John Wick 2 ended with Reeves literally racing to get out of the city after the price on his head was raised to $14 million. One assumes Chad Stahelski and Derek Kolstad mean to raise the stakes for the third film. This should mean even more elaborately choreographed, Hong Kong-inspired fight scenes. And even more over-the-top, bloody comic book mayhem. It’s frankly hard to imagine how they can make John Wick: Chapter 3 any crazier. But you know they’ll give it their best shot.