What you need to know before watching ‘John Wick 4’

Even for fans who have seen the first three chapters of Keanu Reeves’ ‘John Wick’ franchise will have some brushing up to do before stepping into theaters March 24 for ‘John Wick 4′.

The epic story of John Wick has been escalating since the first installment, with each ‘John Wick’ installment in the franchise increasingly more successful. The movie is already scoring a strong 92 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, receiving rave reviews for its style, cinematography, and action scenes that dwarf the first three ‘John Wick’ films.

All the open storylines

‘John Wick 4′ is expected to be the most epic ‘John Wick’ film yet. The two hours and 49 minute-sequel has a litany of loose ends to tie up because ‘John Wick: Chapter 3: Parabellum’ left a lot of storylines open —  and ended with a huge cliffhanger.

Reeves himself has said the fourth chapter was the most physically challenging role he has done yet.

The story has developed to such expansive lengths that it all needs to be addressed in the fourth movie to maintain cinematic coherency.

A breakdown of what fans need to know so far

The film is set to entail not just more action-packed fight scenes and high-speed car chases — this time through the streets of Paris, the fourth edition is anticipated to have incredible depth of plot as well.

‘The Continental’ safe haven for assassins

The original ‘John Wick’ saw Reeves’ character as a human target who fought back to regain his freedom, only to become an assassin in the second movie. When he killed Santino D’Antonio, played by Riccardo Scamarcio at their assassins’ safe house, ‘The Continental’, Wick was driven out of the assassin community because it was forbidden to conduct business on the grounds.

Winston, the proprietor of ‘The Continental’ for 40 years, played by Ian McShane, declared John Wick “excommunicado” and placed a bounty of $14 million on him, which is where the third installment picks up.

‘The Continental’ was taken away from Winston as punishment after the Adjudicator determined that the proprietor had an opportunity to assassinate John Wick, but failed to take it. Wick escaped instead.

The Adjudicator will not be featured in ‘John Wick 4′, but she gave one more shot to Winston to fulfill his mission in killing Wick. This time, Winston fires the gun and shoots him.

Wick falls from the rooftop, and the audience assumes but doesn’t know for sure if Winston regained his kingdom.

By the end of the third film, John Wick was still trying to clear his name.

The ‘High Table’ of governing assassins

The ‘High Table’ is the board that governs the world of assassins in the ‘John Wick’ movies, composed of 12 powerful crime bosses. It was revealed in ‘John Wick 3′ that one of Wick’s own family members is a member.

Even John Wick fears the ‘High Table’, especially because they are hidden and their abilities and connection appear endless.

The only character not under the rule of the crime lords is the Elder, which fans would find useful to pay attention to.