"John Wick Anime Prequel: Keanu Reeves Voices Character in Tale of Impossible Task"

The John Wick franchise continues to expand with the exciting announcement of an anime prequel film, set to delve into the iconic character's past. Announced at CinemaCon, this animated movie will see Keanu Reeves reprise his role as John Wick, adding to his confirmed return for the live-action John Wick 5.

This prequel will explore the legendary 'Impossible Task' referenced throughout the series, which significantly contributes to John Wick's mythos and the fear he instills in others. The official synopsis reveals that the film will take us back in time to before the events of the first movie, focusing on John Wick's mission to eliminate all his rivals in a single night. This monumental task aims to free him from his obligations to the High Table, allowing him to reunite with his beloved Helen.

The animated film promises to deliver the signature high-octane, stylized action that fans of the John Wick series have come to expect, targeting a mature audience. It will be produced by the seasoned John Wick team, including Thunder Road’s Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, 87Eleven Entertainment’s Chad Stahelski, and Keanu Reeves himself, with Alex Young and Jason Spitz from 87Eleven Entertainment as executive producers.

Directing the film is Shannon Tindle, a respected figure in animation known for his work on Ultraman: Rising, Kubo and the Two Strings, and the Emmy-winning series Lost Ollie. The screenplay will be penned by Vanessa Taylor, acclaimed for her contributions to Game of Thrones, Divergent, and the Oscar-winning The Shape of Water.

Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, expressed enthusiasm about the project, highlighting the endless possibilities in both animation and the John Wick universe. He praised Tindle's vision for the Impossible Task story. Chad Stahelski, a driving force behind the John Wick series, shared his long-standing fascination with anime and its influence on the franchise, noting that anime is the perfect medium to further expand the John Wick world.

The John Wick franchise is experiencing a surge of activity. Alongside the four existing films and the upcoming John Wick 5, the universe is expanding with two spinoff films, Ballerina and a yet-to-be-titled project featuring Donnie Yen reprising his role as Caine. Additionally, Lionsgate Television has brought The Continental: From the World of John Wick to Peacock and Amazon Prime, and is developing John Wick: Under the High Table, executive produced by Stahelski and Reeves.

Beyond film and television, Lionsgate has ventured into immersive experiences with a John Wick attraction in Las Vegas and is developing a AAA video game, ensuring that fans have multiple avenues to engage with this ever-growing universe.

John Wick 4: The Cast of the Action Sequel

13 Images