Lionsgate announced that John Wick 4 will hit theaters on May 21, 2021, and fans can't contain their excitement.

Keanu Reeves may be saddling up again for the fourth iteration of his John Wick franchise, but don't expect the assassin-centric action series to go out with a happy bang.

After John Wick 3: Chapter 3 — Parabellum had a suitably explosive opening weekend, raking in over $57 million at the domestic box office and $92 million around the globe and already out-earning the full run of the first film from 2014 — the Lionsgate series has already announced a fourth feature film.

The announcement came in a creative and unusual way

The studio made the announcement via a text message to fans writing, "You have served. You will be of service. John Wick: Chapter 4 is coming — May 21, 2021."

Considering the franchise's humble beginnings, it's astounding to see how much Keanu and director Chad Stahelski have managed to connect with a wide audience.

Though a release date is the only detail revealed at the time of the announcement, there's definitely more in store for John Wick 4.

In a recent interview, Lionsgate announced that a small screen spinoff was in the works. Stahleski and Keanu are already signed as executive producers.

Stahleski told Entertainment Weekly:

"They have a writers' room working on it right now, trying to develop the first season. Keanu and I have sat with that creative element and laid out what we feel makes John Wick special, and what would make the TV show unique."

"Now, it will be a round of back-and-forths. But yeah, Lionsgate is in the actual full development, and it's called The Continental. It should be fun."

A movie about an assassin getting revenge on the people who killed his dog has now spawned the whole universe

And Keanu has already revealed that he's going to wear John Wick's suit for as long as he possibly can.

When GQ asked him how long he'd be willing to play the assassin, he said:

"As far as my legs will take me. As far as the audience wants to go."

"He's got this beautiful, tragic conundrum — these two selves: the John who was married, and John Wick, the assassin. John wants to be free. But the only way he knows how is through John Wick."

How long Keanu's body will hold up is always a question

While John Wick: Chapter 3— Parabellum ends with a big nod to future franchise possibilities, Stahelski challenged fans not to get too excited about what's coming next for the canine-loving assassin.

In short: "think about where he's been, where he's going, and what can come next. It's not a happy ending."

Stahelski said:

"John may survive all this shit, but at the end of it, there's no happy ending. He's got nowhere to go,"