Keanu Reeves has a new sequel opportunity that would be even better for his career than reprising his iconic role as the Baba Yaga for John Wick: Chapter 5. John Wick is easily Reeves’ most iconic role of the 21st century, but it wasn’t his first headlining franchise role. Long before he played the title character in the John Wick series, Reeves had played time-traveling slacker Ted “Theodore” Logan and messianic figure Neo in the Bill & Ted and The Matrix franchises, respectively, so he has other sequel options beyond playing Wick one more time.

While there’s been no word on a follow-up to Bill & Ted Face the Music, Warner Bros. has started developing a new entry in The Matrix saga. Drew Goddard has won the bid to write and direct a fifth Matrix movie after a successful pitch to the studio, and franchise co-creator Lana Wachowski will serve as an executive producer. Although there’s been a lot of rumors and speculation about Reeves returning to the John Wick franchise, the new Matrix movie would arguably be a better five-quel for Reeves to star in.

The Matrix 5 Would Be A More Exciting Keanu Reeves Sequel Than John Wick 5

The Matrix has more unfulfilled potential than John Wick

Despite the critical and commercial disappointment of The Matrix Resurrections, The Matrix 5 would arguably be a more exciting sequel prospect for Reeves than John Wick: Chapter 5. The John Wick series is one of the most exhilarating (and consistently great) action movie franchises in recent memory, but Reeves has done everything he can with Wick – he’s dead!John Wick: Chapter 4 gave the character a perfect bittersweet ending as his past came back to haunt him and he ended his vengeful crusade once and for all, making the ultimate sacrifice to usurp the High Table’s corrupt leadership.

Neo was dead following The Matrix Revolutions, but The Matrix Resurrections brought him back (and The Matrix franchise has more liberty to do so, because it’s a sci-fi series, whereas John Wick is a little more grounded in reality). Resurrections felt like a new beginning; it clearly set up Neo to go on more adventures with Trinity after regaining control of the Matrix. There’s still a sense that Reeves can do more with Neo. The Matrix sequels’ divisive reception helps in this regard, because there’s unfulfilled potential. That’s not really the case with the more satisfying John Wick sequels.

Keanu Reeves Returning For John Wick 5 Is Probably Inevitable

John Wick movies make too much money for Lionsgate to let the franchise end

While a fifth John Wick movie would undoubtedly undermine the touching finality of the fourth movie, it feels inevitable that Reeves will eventually return for John Wick: Chapter 5. Hollywood studios don’t usually let a story end when it ends; they tend to keep them going until they stop making money. Chapter 4’s success proved that John Wick movies are still reliable moneymakers, so it’s only a matter of time before Lionsgate cuts a hefty check and demands a fifth one. There’s been a lot of talk of John Wick 5 in spite of the character’s demise.

Reeves has said that he’s open to returning for a John Wick: Chapter 5 if Chad Stahelski – the director of the first four films – is back in the director’s chair. There’s the potential for a fifth movie to retcon Wick’s death, or take place in between previous movies as a prequel – or it could go all-out and take place in the afterlife. At this point, there’s been so much discussion of a John Wick 5 that it would now be more surprising if it didn’t happen (but that doesn’t mean it should).

Will Keanu Reeves Return For The Matrix 5?

He said he would come back if Lana Wachowski was involved

Warner Bros. has yet to confirm whether or not Reeves will reprise his role as Neo in The Matrix 5, but he has commented on the possibility of returning. While he was promoting The Matrix Resurrections, Reeves was asked by Empire if he would come back for The Matrix 5. Reeves said that he would jump at the chance to play Neo again, but only if Lana Wachowski was involved in the project: “If she invites me again, I’m in.”

It’s unclear if Reeves will return, because Wachowski is involved with this new Matrix movie, but not as a writer or director – just as an executive producer. An executive producer can guide the project creatively, but they’re not involved in the day-to-day making of the movie. With Goddard in the director’s chair, Keanu Reeves might have more reservations about returning than if Wachowski was the one directing.