Earlier in the year it was reported by THR that Lionsgate was fast-tracking John Wick: Chapter 3 for a fall production start. Sadly, this is not the case and will not begin filming until sometime in 2018.
Chad Stahelski will return to direct with franchise creator Derek Kolstad back on scripting duties. However, Omega Underground has been keeping close tabs on production and crew side of things, nothing is pointing to production on Chapter 3 starting before the new year.
We’ve been patiently waiting for fall production updates to pop-up on New York City listings but Chapter 3 never appeared. From our understanding the third film is still in the scripting and early pre-production phases. Not crazy considering all the stunt prep, location scouting, and training involved for new cast members (casting hasn’t even officially started). While the stunt team might have been quietly assembled at 87 Eleven by Chad and producer David Leitch, production crews haven’t been formally hired.
Its November and we haven’t heard a peep.
Lionsgate has set the release date for May 17th, 2019, which gives us the impression a spring-summer production start is most likely happening, now that a fall 2017 shoot is unrealistic at this point.
Another reason for a delay could be to allow David Leitch to finish post on Deadpool 2 (releasing in June) before production on Chapter 3 begins, keeping the creative team on board for all three films.
We suspect that production could return to New York City and Montreal for the New York sequences, but there has been teases of new overseas locales. Keanu Reeves has mentioned a desire to see the third film take place in Jerusalem and Tokyo.
Details about the plot of the film is scarce but with Wick’s excommunication from The Continental and global contract on his head could see him struggling to find his way out of NYC. Reeves has suggested taking inspiration from John Carpenter’s Escape From From New York.
It’s also expected Wick will now have to go head-to-head with The High Table, the international syndicate that controls this world of assassins and criminal enterprises. This could continue to open the film for more of a globetrotting aspect due to hints of the High Table being spread across different countries.
Stay tuned for future updates.