Exciting news for John Wick fans! The highly anticipated John Wick anime prequel film has finally confirmed its setting. Announced at CinemaCon, this animated movie will feature Keanu Reeves reprising his iconic role as John Wick, in addition to his confirmed return for the live-action John Wick 5.
The prequel will delve into the legendary 'Impossible Task' referenced in the films, a pivotal event that shapes the mythos and dread surrounding Wick's character. Here’s the official synopsis:
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 will be produced by the John Wick team, including Thunder Road's Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, 87Eleven Entertainment's Chad Stahelski, and Keanu Reeves. Alex Young and Jason Spitz from 87Eleven Entertainment will serve as executive producers.
Directing the film is Shannon Tindle, an acclaimed animation veteran known for co-writing and directing the Annie-nominated Netflix film Ultraman: Rising. Tindle also created the double Oscar-nominated Kubo and the Two Strings and was the executive producer and showrunner for the Emmy-winning series Lost Ollie. The screenplay will be penned by Vanessa Taylor, recognized for her work on Game of Thrones, Divergent, and as an Oscar nominee for her contributions to the Best Picture winner The Shape of Water.
Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, expressed enthusiasm about the project: "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 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."
John Wick 4: The Cast of the Action Sequel
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It’s a massively busy time for the billion-dollar John Wick franchise. In addition to the already released four mainline films and the just-announced John Wick 5, the John Wick Universe includes two spinoff films: Ballerina, set for release on June 6, and a spinoff directed by and starring Donnie Yen reprising his Caine character, which is set to start production this summer.
Lionsgate Television has also produced The Continental: From the World of John Wick for Peacock and Amazon Prime, and Lionsgate confirmed it’s developing the series John Wick: Under the High Table, with Stahelski and Keanu Reeves as executive producers.
Outside of TV and films, Lionsgate has opened an immersive John Wick experience in Las Vegas and is developing a John Wick AAA video game. This expansive universe continues to captivate fans worldwide, promising more thrilling adventures in the world of John Wick.
