John Wick Anime Prequel Stars Keanu Reeves

The highly anticipated John Wick anime prequel has officially locked in its setting.

Revealed at CinemaCon, the animated feature will bring back Keanu Reeves to voice his iconic character. This comes alongside the recent confirmation that Reeves will reprise his role in the live-action John Wick 5.

The animated prequel will explore the origin of John Wick's legendary 'Impossible Task,' a pivotal event referenced throughout the films that helped build the mystique and fear surrounding his name.

Here is the official synopsis:

The animated film travels back to John Wick's life before the first movie, chronicling his completion of the Impossible Task — the elimination of all his rivals in a single night. This mission was his only chance to break free from the High Table's control and win the freedom to be with his beloved Helen.

Mirroring the live-action movies, the animated project will deliver the signature, stylized action sequences that define the John Wick series, targeting a mature audience.

Production will be handled by the core John Wick team: Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee from Thunder Road, Chad Stahelski from 87Eleven Entertainment, and Keanu Reeves. Alex Young and Jason Spitz of 87Eleven Entertainment will serve as executive producers.

Shannon Tindle, an animation expert who recently co-wrote and directed the Annie-nominated Netflix film Ultraman: Rising, will direct. Tindle also created the Oscar-nominated Kubo and the Two Strings and was the executive producer and showrunner for the Emmy-winning series Lost Ollie. The screenplay is by Vanessa Taylor, a writer and co-executive producer for Game of Thrones, writer for Divergent, and an Oscar nominee for her collaboration with Guillermo del Toro on the Best Picture winner The Shape of Water.

Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, stated: "Animation opens limitless possibilities for the John Wick universe. Fans have been most eager to see the Impossible Task, and Shannon's vision for that story is extraordinary. We're thrilled to witness John Wick's power through the medium of animation."

Stahelski added: "Anime has always been a major inspiration for me, especially in crafting the John Wick series. Developing a John Wick anime feels like the natural next step. The format offers unparalleled potential to expand our world, deepen our characters, and elevate our action beyond what we've previously imagined."

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The billion-dollar John Wick franchise is experiencing unprecedented growth. Beyond the four existing main films and the newly announced John Wick 5, the universe spans two spinoff movies: Ballerina, releasing on June 6, and a spinoff directed by and starring Donnie Yen, returning as Caine, which begins production this summer.

Additionally, Lionsgate Television produced The Continental: From the World of John Wick for Peacock and Amazon Prime, and is developing the series John Wick: Under the High Table, with Stahelski and Keanu Reeves as executive producers.

Beyond screen projects, Lionsgate recently launched an immersive John Wick experience in Las Vegas and is working on a AAA John Wick video game.