A release date has now been officially set for the upcoming John Wick anime prequel film.
Unveiled during CinemaCon, the animated feature will star Keanu Reeves, who is reprising his role as the iconic hitman. This announcement comes alongside confirmation that Reeves will also return for the live-action John Wick 5.
The animated prequel will chronicle the legendary 'Impossible Task' undertaken by John Wick—a pivotal event referenced throughout the film series that helped build his fearsome reputation and mythology.
Here is the official synopsis:
This animated film travels back in time to explore John Wick's story before the events of the original movie, depicting his completion of the Impossible Task: the assassination of all his rivals in a single night. This mission was his only chance to secure freedom from the High Table and win the right to a life with his beloved wife, Helen.
True to the live-action films, the animated movie will feature the stylized, high-impact action sequences that define the John Wick franchise and is being developed for a mature audience.
The film is being produced by the core John Wick team: Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee from Thunder Road, Chad Stahelski from 87Eleven Entertainment, and Keanu Reeves. Executive producers include Alex Young and Jason Spitz, also of 87Eleven Entertainment.
Directing the film is Shannon Tindle, an animation veteran who recently co-wrote and directed the Annie Award-nominated Netflix feature Ultraman: Rising. Tindle also created the two-time Oscar-nominated film Kubo and the Two Strings and served as executive producer and showrunner for the Emmy-winning series Lost Ollie. The screenplay is penned by Vanessa Taylor, a writer and co-executive producer for Game of Thrones, a screenwriter for Divergent, and an Oscar nominee for her collaboration with Guillermo del Toro on the Best Picture winner The Shape of Water.
Adam Fogelson, Chairman of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, stated: "Animation opens up limitless storytelling possibilities, especially within the world of John Wick. Fans have been especially eager to see the Impossible Task brought to life. Shannon's vision for that story is extraordinary, and we are thrilled to witness the signature action of John Wick translated into this animated medium."
Stahelski added: "I've long been a passionate admirer of anime, which has significantly influenced my work, particularly on the John Wick series. Developing a John Wick anime feels like the natural next step for this universe. The character and his world are perfectly suited for this format—anime has the unique power to expand our characters, stories, and action in ways we previously could only imagine."
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The billion-dollar John Wick franchise is experiencing an era of remarkable expansion. Beyond the four main films and the newly announced John Wick 5, the universe includes two spinoff movies: Ballerina, scheduled for release on June 6, and another spinoff directed by and starring Donnie Yen, who reprises his role as Caine, with production slated to begin this summer.
Furthermore, Lionsgate Television produced the limited series The Continental: From the World of John Wick for Peacock and Amazon Prime. The studio has also confirmed development on the series John Wick: Under the High Table, with Stahelski and Keanu Reeves serving as executive producers.
Beyond television and film, Lionsgate recently launched an immersive John Wick experience in Las Vegas and has a AAA John Wick video game currently in development.
