John Wick Anime Film Prequel Will Tell the Story of John Wick’s Impossible Task, Keanu Reeves to Voice Character

Excitement is building for fans of the John Wick franchise as the highly anticipated anime prequel film has finally secured its setting. Announced at CinemaCon, this animated venture will feature Keanu Reeves reprising his iconic role as John Wick, lending his voice to the character. This news comes alongside the confirmation of Reeves returning to the live-action arena for John Wick 5.

The upcoming animated film will delve into the backstory of John Wick, focusing on the legendary 'Impossible Task.' This event, often mentioned in the films, plays a crucial role in shaping Wick’s fearsome reputation. The official synopsis reveals that the movie will transport viewers back in time to witness John Wick's endeavor to complete the Impossible Task—eliminating all his rivals in a single night. This mission is pivotal for Wick, as it allows him to sever ties with the High Table and pursue a life with his beloved Helen.

True to the franchise’s signature style, the animated film promises to deliver the high-octane, meticulously choreographed action sequences that fans have come to love. Aimed at mature audiences, it will maintain the intense and stylized aesthetic of the live-action series.

The project will be produced by the seasoned John Wick production team, including Thunder Road’s Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, 87Eleven Entertainment’s Chad Stahelski, and Keanu Reeves himself. Executive production will be handled by 87Eleven Entertainment’s Alex Young and Jason Spitz.

Directing the film is animation veteran Shannon Tindle, known for his work on the Annie-nominated Netflix film Ultraman: Rising, the double Oscar-nominated Kubo and the Two Strings, and the Emmy-winning series Lost Ollie. The screenplay is penned by Vanessa Taylor, acclaimed for her contributions to Game of Thrones, Divergent, and her Oscar-nominated work on 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 echoed this sentiment, adding, “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 universe is expanding rapidly. Alongside the four mainline films already released and the newly announced John Wick 5, the franchise is branching out with two spinoff films. Ballerina is set to hit theaters on June 6, and another spinoff, directed by and starring Donnie Yen reprising his role as Caine, is slated to begin production this summer.

Lionsgate Television has also contributed to the franchise's growth with The Continental: From the World of John Wick, available on Peacock and Amazon Prime. Additionally, Lionsgate has greenlit 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 AAA video game based on the franchise, ensuring that fans have multiple avenues to engage with the world of John Wick.