Excitement is building as the John Wick franchise expands into new territory with the announcement of an anime prequel film. Revealed at CinemaCon, this animated venture will see Keanu Reeves reprise his iconic role as John Wick, lending his voice to the character. This news comes alongside the confirmation of Reeves returning for the live-action "John Wick 5," ensuring fans will have plenty of content to look forward to.
The animated prequel delves into the lore of John Wick's past, focusing on the legendary 'Impossible Task.' This pivotal moment in Wick's history, often referenced in the films, involves him eliminating all his rivals in a single night. This grueling endeavor was his means to sever ties with the High Table and earn the right to be with his beloved Helen. The film promises to deliver the same high-octane, stylized action that the franchise is renowned for, catering to a mature audience.
The production team behind the John Wick series, including Thunder Road’s Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, and 87Eleven Entertainment’s Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves, will bring this animated project to life. Executive producers Alex Young and Jason Spitz from 87Eleven Entertainment are also on board.
Directing the film is Shannon Tindle, an acclaimed figure in animation. Tindle recently co-wrote and directed "Ultraman: Rising" for Netflix, which earned an Annie nomination. He also created "Kubo and the Two Strings," a double Oscar nominee, 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 "The Shape of Water."
Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, expressed enthusiasm for 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 shared his passion for anime, noting its influence on the John Wick series. He said, “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 is experiencing a surge in activity across multiple platforms. Alongside the four mainline films and the upcoming "John Wick 5," the universe is expanding with two spinoff films: "Ballerina," set to release on June 6, and another featuring Donnie Yen reprising his role as Caine, which will start production this summer.
Lionsgate Television has also produced "The Continental: From the World of John Wick" for Peacock and Amazon Prime. Additionally, they are developing the series "John Wick: Under the High Table," with Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves serving as executive producers.
Beyond the screen, Lionsgate has opened an immersive John Wick experience in Las Vegas and is working on a AAA video game set within the John Wick universe. This multi-faceted expansion underscores the franchise's enduring popularity and its potential for growth in various entertainment mediums.
