The John Wick franchise has exploded far beyond its humble beginnings. What started in 2014 as a sleek, stylish action movie about a grieving assassin has since evolved into a full-blown cinematic universe, rich with lore, striking visuals, and unforgettable characters. With John Wick: Chapter 4 seemingly closing the book on Keanu Reeves’ titular character, the question now is: what comes next?
While Reeves and director Chad Stahelski recently confirmed at CinemaCon that John Wick: Chapter 5 is in early development, Lionsgate has already begun expanding the Wick-verse in other directions. The streaming prequel series The Continental gave fans a deeper look at the rules and legacy of the assassin-run hotels, while Ballerina, starring Ana de Armas, became the first feature spin-off, set between Chapters 3 and 4.
Despite solid reviews, Ballerina underperformed at the box office, which means the studio may need to rethink which characters or corners of the world are best suited for solo films. Luckily, the franchise’s rich world-building and ensemble cast offer countless opportunities. Here are four potential John Wick spin-offs that could keep the universe alive and exciting.
1. Sofia and Her Dogs: A Global Rescue Mission
Halle Berry’s Sofia Al-Azwar made a lasting impression in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum. As the manager of the Casablanca Continental and a former assassin in her own right, Sofia shares a mysterious and complicated past with John Wick. But what truly stole the show? Her two fiercely loyal, highly trained Belgian Malinois, who fought by her side in some of the film’s most jaw-dropping action sequences.
Although her time on screen was brief, we learned enough about Sofia to know her story runs deep. Most notably, she mentions a daughter she was forced to give up and hide for her safety — a personal sacrifice that still haunts her. A spin-off following Sofia as she embarks on a globe-trotting mission to rescue her daughter would offer high-stakes action, emotional depth, and a powerful female lead. And let’s be honest: watching Halle Berry team up with her dogs to take down a global criminal network sounds like box office gold.
2. The Bowery King: Origins of a Streetwise Spy Network
Laurence Fishburne’s Bowery King has quickly become a fan-favorite. Ruler of an underground intelligence empire disguised as a homeless network called The Soup Kitchen, the Bowery King is a dramatic, enigmatic figure who marches to the beat of his own drum — often quoting Shakespeare while dealing out street justice.
But who was he before the pigeons and the robes? A spin-off exploring his origin story — set in the gritty streets of 1970s or ’80s New York City — could reveal how a young man outsmarted crime lords and intelligence agencies to build his own empire. Blending espionage, noir, and underground survivalism, it would offer a more cerebral take on the Wick formula, while still packing a punch. With the present-day Bowery King continuing to expand his network globally, the film could weave together past and present to chart his rise and reign.
3. The High Table: Origins of the Assassin Aristocracy
The most mysterious force in the John Wick universe is the High Table — a shadowy council of twelve crime lords who maintain global order in the assassin world. They control everything from political figures to military operations, and their reach extends to every continent. But despite their massive presence in the franchise, we still know very little about them.
A spin-off focusing on the High Table could take two directions: one, a present-day political thriller diving into their current structure and internal conflicts; or two, a stylized prequel exploring their formation. The latter could be particularly ambitious — imagine an animated or live-action feature set in medieval Europe, reimagining the rise of the High Table as a brutal power struggle between knights, nobles, and killers. It could even tie into Arthurian myth, turning legends like the Round Table into rivals of the High Table.
With the right tone and a grounded emotional hook, this idea could add a mythological layer to the John Wick universe while keeping the core themes of loyalty, honor, and vengeance intact.
4. Mr. Nobody: The Tracker’s Next Hunt
Introduced in John Wick: Chapter 4, Mr. Nobody (played by Shamier Anderson) is one of the franchise’s most intriguing new characters. A mysterious, backpack-wearing assassin with an unnamed Belgian Malinois (yes, another dog-lover), Mr. Nobody operates by his own rules — working only for top dollar and always calculating his next move.
Though he’s hired to kill Wick, he ends up respecting him instead, forming a quiet, uneasy alliance. There’s almost no backstory provided, but Anderson has hinted in interviews that the character’s motivations may include taking care of a sick mother — a touching wrinkle that adds humanity to the tracker’s icy exterior.
Mr. Nobody feels like the perfect spiritual successor to John Wick. He’s younger, equally skilled, and possesses an emotional vulnerability that audiences would be eager to explore. A solo movie could dive into his past, his code of ethics, and his future in a world still ruled by the High Table. Plus, Shamier Anderson has breakout star written all over him.
The Wick-Verse Has Only Just Begun
From trained dogs and Shakespearean kings to underground wars and legendary councils, the John Wick universe is brimming with untapped potential. While Ballerina may not have launched a franchise of its own, it proved that audiences are still interested in stories that expand and deepen the Wick mythos.
As long as the creators continue to prioritize strong characters, unique action choreography, and thoughtful world-building, there’s no reason the John Wick universe can’t keep growing — bullet by bullet, spin-off by spin-off.