Franchise Writer Hints at Game-Changing Team-Up in John Wick 5

John Wick 5 might pull a Vader. Derek Kolstad, the guy who created the franchise, is teasing a twist that pushes John into bed with someone you definitely do not like. And yeah, that probably means the High Table may not be the big bad this time.

The twist Kolstad is pitching

Talking to ScreenRant, Kolstad said he loves the kind of story where sworn enemies end up shoulder to shoulder once a bigger monster shows up. He even reached for the ultimate heel-turn reference from Return of the Jedi — the Vader/Emperor moment that shocked everyone back in the day.

"You and me with guns on each other at the end of the first act, and then you and me at the beginning of the third act, back to back against the worst."

That is the energy he hopes Chapter 5 taps into: a familiar face you were primed to hate suddenly becomes the only person John can stand next to when things get worse. Kolstad did not confirm who that would be, and he did not spell out a High Table team-up, but the way he frames it suggests the usual villains may not be the main target this round. He also kept it gracious, saying he wishes the team nothing but love as they figure it out.

So... the High Table might not be the main enemy?

That is the implication. If the High Table isn’t front and center as the primary antagonist, it opens the door to some very weird alliances. Inside baseball, but it is a smart way to keep a fifth movie from feeling like a retread: flip an enemy, raise the stakes, and make John fight a bigger 'them' instead of the same 'them' again.

What we actually know right now

• Keanu Reeves will be back as John Wick, with Chad Stahelski directing again.
• Story and casting details are still locked up; nothing concrete on who that 'familiar face' might be.
• Kolstad has not confirmed any High Table alliance — he is just advocating for that kind of back-to-back-with-your-enemy twist.
• After four massive hits, expectations for Chapter 5 are sky high, which probably explains the push for a bigger swing.

If they pull off a genuine Vader-level turn with the right character, that is the kind of jolt a fifth John Wick movie needs. Your move, Table.