John Wick Anime Prequel Voices Keanu Reeves

The setting for the highly anticipated John Wick anime prequel film has now been officially confirmed.

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

The anime prequel will explore the legendary 'Impossible Task' from John Wick's past, a pivotal event frequently referenced in the films that helped build his formidable reputation and the aura of fear surrounding him.

Here is the official synopsis:

The animated film travels back in time 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 right to be with his beloved wife, Helen.

Mirroring the live-action movies, the animated project will feature the high-stakes, stylized action sequences that define the John Wick series and is intended for a mature audience.

Production will be led 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 veteran 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," screenwriter 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 offers limitless creative freedom, much like the world of John Wick itself. The story of the Impossible Task is the one fans are most eager to see, and Shannon's vision for it is nothing short of spectacular. We are thrilled to witness the destruction John Wick can unleash in animated form."

Stahelski added: "Anime has been a long-standing passion and a major influence on my work, particularly on the John Wick series. Developing a John Wick anime feels like the natural next step. The world of John Wick is perfectly suited for this medium. Anime opens up incredible opportunities to expand our universe, deepen our characters, and present action in ways we could only previously imagine."

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The billion-dollar John Wick franchise is expanding at a rapid pace. Beyond the four existing main films and the newly announced John Wick 5, the universe includes two spinoff movies: "Ballerina," set for release on June 6, and another spinoff directed by and starring Donnie Yen, who returns as Caine, with production scheduled to begin this summer.

Additionally, Lionsgate Television produced the Peacock and Amazon Prime series "The Continental: From the World of John Wick," and has confirmed the development of "John Wick: Under the High Table," with Stahelski and Keanu Reeves serving as executive producers.

Beyond film and television, Lionsgate recently launched an immersive John Wick experience in Las Vegas and has a AAA John Wick video game currently in development.