Exciting news for fans of the John Wick franchise: the long-awaited John Wick anime prequel film has a confirmed setting. Revealed at CinemaCon, this animated project will see Keanu Reeves reprise his role as John Wick, lending his voice to the character. This announcement comes alongside the news of Reeves returning for the live-action John Wick 5.
The animated film will delve into the backstory of John Wick, focusing on his legendary 'Impossible Task.' This event, frequently mentioned in the movies, plays a crucial role in shaping Wick's fearsome reputation. The film will take us back in time to witness John Wick as he undertakes the daunting challenge of eliminating all his rivals in a single night, a feat that would ultimately free him from his obligations to the High Table and allow him to be with his beloved Helen.
Here's the official description:
The animated film will go back in time to tell the story of John Wick before the first film, as he completes the Impossible Task — the killing of all of his rivals in one night — in order to free himself from his obligation to the High Table and earn the right to be with the love of his life, Helen.
Like the live-action feature films, the animated movie will deliver the highly stylized and defined action that John Wick fans expect and will be aimed at more mature audiences.
The project is being produced by the same team behind the John Wick films, including Thunder Road's Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, 87Eleven Entertainment's Chad Stahelski, and Keanu Reeves. Executive producers include 87Eleven Entertainment's Alex Young and Jason Spitz.
Directing the film is Shannon Tindle, an acclaimed animation veteran. Tindle recently co-wrote and directed the Annie-nominated Netflix film Ultraman: Rising, created the double Oscar-nominated Kubo and the Two Strings, and served as executive producer/showrunner on the Emmy-winning series Lost Ollie. The screenplay will be penned by Vanessa Taylor, known for her work on Game of Thrones, Divergent, and as an Oscar nominee for her contribution to the Best Picture winner The Shape of Water.
Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating, “In both animation and the world of John Wick, the possibilities are endless. And there is no John Wick story fans are clamoring for more than the Impossible Task. Shannon’s take on that story is an incredible one, and we are beyond excited to see what John Wick can do in animation.”
Chad Stahelski, who has been instrumental in shaping the John Wick series, added, “I’ve always been fascinated with anime. It has always been a huge influence on me, especially with the John Wick series. To have the opportunity to develop a John Wick anime seems to be the perfect progression for the John Wick world. I feel John Wick is the perfect property for this medium — anime holds the potential to expand our world, our characters, and our action in ways unimaginable before.”
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The John Wick franchise continues to expand with numerous projects in the works. Alongside the four mainline films already released and the upcoming John Wick 5, the universe includes two spinoff films: Ballerina, set for release on June 6, and a spinoff directed by and starring Donnie Yen, reprising his role as Caine, which is slated to start production this summer.
Lionsgate Television has also produced The Continental: From the World of John Wick for Peacock and Amazon Prime, and the company has confirmed the development of the series John Wick: Under the High Table, with Stahelski and Reeves serving as executive producers.
Beyond the screen, Lionsgate has launched an immersive John Wick experience in Las Vegas and is developing a John Wick AAA video game, further expanding the franchise's reach and engagement with fans.
