John Wick 4's Ian McShane addresses shock ending of Chapter 3 (2024)

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"He's trying to do his best."

By Ian Sandwell
John Wick 4's Ian McShane addresses shock ending of Chapter 3 (1)

Ian McShane returns as Continental owner Winston in John Wick: Chapter 4, and he might well have some explaining to do to John Wick.

If you recall, the end of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum saw Winston shoot Wick, leading to the hitman falling from the roof of the Continental. It was a shock twist given that we thought Winston was always on Wick's side.

However, McShane has his own spin on the ending of the previous movie. "He's trying to do his best – except at the end of 3 when he shoots John," he told Digital Spy.

John Wick 4's Ian McShane addresses shock ending of Chapter 3 (2)

"I mean, I would say that he knew he was wearing a bulletproof vest, so he shot him deliberately. But, I mean, why question that? Is he acting in the best interest of the High Table or John?

"But this time, when Winston's world is turned upside-down within 20 minutes of the movie by the actions that happen at the beginning – he very much is full-blown behind John. But by the end, is he or isn't he? I don't know. That's a kind of good thing.

"What's his relationship to John? He's close. But is he actually related to John? You don't know. I think that's one thing that, without banging it on the head too much, keeps the sort of relationship fluid."

So if you're watching a John Wick movie and trying to figure out why Winston is doing what he's doing, then at least you can rest assured that even McShane is still trying to figure it all out four movies in.

John Wick 4's Ian McShane addresses shock ending of Chapter 3 (3)

McShane will reprise his role as Continental owner Winston in Ana de Armas-led spin-off Ballerina, but don't take that as confirmation he survives Chapter 4 as the next movie is set between Chapters 3 and 4.

"So Charon [Lance Reddick] in that and Anjelica Huston, and my character, and John are in there. It's the same thing. I'm still trying to protect John. But this one really sums up, I think, the whole genre: bigger, better, more complicated," he teased.

Digital Spy also spoke to director Chad Stahelski who addressed the criticism of the fourth movie's epic runtime.

John Wick: Chapter 4 is released in cinemas on March 24.

John Wick 4's Ian McShane addresses shock ending of Chapter 3 (4)

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John Wick 4's Ian McShane addresses shock ending of Chapter 3 (7)

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John Wick 4's Ian McShane addresses shock ending of Chapter 3 (8)

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John Wick 4's Ian McShane addresses shock ending of Chapter 3 (12)

Ian Sandwell

Movies Editor, Digital Spy Ian has more than 10 years of movies journalism experience as a writer and editor. Starting out as an intern at trade bible Screen International, he was promoted to report and analyse UK box-office results, as well as carving his own niche with horror movies, attending genre festivals around the world. After moving to Digital Spy, initially as a TV writer, he was nominated for New Digital Talent of the Year at the PPA Digital Awards. He became Movies Editor in 2019, in which role he has interviewed 100s of stars, including Chris Hemsworth, Florence Pugh, Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba and Olivia Colman, become a human encyclopedia for Marvel and appeared as an expert guest on BBC News and on-stage at MCM Comic-Con. Where he can, he continues to push his horror agenda – whether his editor likes it or not.

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John Wick 4's Ian McShane addresses shock ending of Chapter 3 (2024)

FAQs

John Wick 4's Ian McShane addresses shock ending of Chapter 3? ›

However, McShane has his own spin on the ending of the previous movie. "He's trying to do his best – except at the end of 3 when he shoots John," he told Digital Spy. "I mean, I would say that he knew he was wearing a bulletproof vest, so he shot him deliberately.

What happened to John Wick at the end of Chapter 3? ›

Winston shoots John Wick after having negotiated with The Adjudicator to return to the fold. In this cinematic universe, the characters genuinely believe that Wick has been eliminated. But the betrayal is merely a plot device to raise the stakes even more for Parabellum's ending.

What is the hidden scene in John Wick 4? ›

Chapter 4 includes a post-credits sequence that picks back up with Wick's frienemy Caine (Donnie Yen), now also free of the High Table, who is on the way to visit his daughter for the first time in years. As he approaches her, a woman emerges from the crowd, brandishing a knife.

What happened to John Wick at the end of Chapter 4? ›

“John Wick: Chapter 4” ended with John's presumable death after competing in a duel to free himself from the High Table. John gets shot in the third round of the duel and seemingly dies on the steps of the Basilica of Sacré Coeur while seeing a vision of his late wife, Helen.

Will there be a John Wick chapter 5? ›

Is John Wick 5 coming? Writing for John Wick 5 began despite the initial setback of the 2023 writers' strike, as revealed by Drake during a November 2023 earnings call. The film is anticipated to hit theaters in 2026, with a potential release in 2027 also under consideration.

Who is Keanu Reeves' daughter? ›

Why was the Continental blown up in John Wick 4? ›

John Wick: Chapter 4

There, de Gramont chastised Winston for failing to kill John. As punishment, he stripped Winston of his position and destroyed the New York Continental before executing Charon. Upon learning John had found sanctuary in the Osaka Continental, Vincent ordered an attack on it.

What is the Easter egg in John Wick 4? ›

Another potentially important John Wick 4 Easter egg comes when the Marquis is shown alone in a theater watching a ballerina performing on stage. This could just be a sign of his incredible wealth and position of power, but it might also help tease Ana de Armas' Ballerina spinoff movie.

Does John Wick 4 have a secret ending? ›

John Wick 4 Had Alternate Ending With Keanu Still Alive - But Test Audiences Didn't Like It. Interestingly, test audiences preferred the more ambiguous conclusion. Four decades ago, John Carpenter's The Thing bombed spectacularly at the box office.

What happens to Mr. Nobody in John Wick 4? ›

However, Cane appears at the right time and helps John reach his destination in time. He also spares the life of Mr. Nobody, who goes to the church in order to watch the duel.

Is Winston John Wick's father? ›

It was revealed that Winston was, at the very least, familiar with John's Russian heritage. Upon burying John Wick at the end of the film, Winston also notably said, in Russian, "Farewell, my son." This heavily fueled speculation that this meant Winston had been the true father of John Wick all along.

Where was the last scene of John Wick 4 filmed? ›

Nuno Maduro ☁️ on X: "Film location: final scene in John Wick 4 @ Sacré Coeur de Montmartre.

What would be the story of John Wick 5? ›

Was Keanu Reeves born in Hawaii? ›

Reeves was born in Beirut, Lebanon, on September 2, 1964, the son of Patricia (née Taylor), a costume designer and performer, and Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr. His mother is English, originating from Essex. His American father is from Hawaii, and is of Native Hawaiian, Chinese, English, and Portuguese descent.

Will there be a John Wick spin off? ›

'John Wick' Spinoff Starring Donnie Yen With 'Umbrella Academy' Writer Robert Askins in the Works, Filming Set for Hong Kong in 2025.

Will there be another John Wick after Chapter 3? ›

Even though John Wick 5 has been confirmed to be in development (probably), we don't yet have an official release date for the next movie as of April 2024. The next John Wick movie we see will be the Ana de Armas-led spin-off Ballerina, which takes place between Chapters 3 and 4 in the timeline.

How did John Wick survive the fall? ›

[SPOILER for JOHN WICK 3] How did John Wick survive the fall off the Continental? An ordinary human would not survive that fall. The key scene there was during the fall he hit railings & roof along the way. Recognizing John Wick, the metals suddenly soften themselves to avoid getting hit hard.

Did Winston save John Wick at the end? ›

By shooting Reeves' character in John Wick 3's ending, Winston was actually saving them both. On the surface, he seems to be following through with his fealty to the High Table, but, clearly, he doesn't shoot to kill.

Where did John Wick III finish? ›

At the end of John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum, Winston (Ian McShane) shoots John (Keanu Reeves) off the roof of the New York Continental building. He is later found by the Bowery King's men, setting up John's role in a possible revolt against the High Table.

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