New Delhi: Keanu Reeves is all set to return as the legendary assassin John Wick, but this time in an animated film. The highly anticipated animated prequel
has now been officially greenlit by Lionsgate, with Reeves signing a deal to return as his iconic character. The new movie will take fans back into the life of John Wick before the events of the first movie, and explore one of the biggest mysteries of his past.
Deadline and Variety have reported the project is in pre-production at the moment. Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer confirmed that it was in development on Thursday (November 5).
What is John Wick’s animated film about?
Whereas the earlier movies chronicled John Wick’s return to the assassin’s world, the animated prequel will focus on what made him want to leave his violent past behind. The story will explore the infamous ‘Impossible Task’, a dangerous job that John Wick took on to free himself from the High Table, the powerful organisation that rules the criminal underworld.
One part of the mission was to kill his rivals in one night. He did the job and was able to walk away from his life as a hitman and start a new chapter with Helen, the woman he loved. Although the ‘Impossible Task’ has been mentioned in the previous films, audiences have never seen exactly how John Wick pulled it off. The animated movie will finally bring that part of his story to the screen.
Keanu Reeves to reprise John Wick in animated prequel
Keanu Reeves, who has played John Wick since the franchise began in 2014, will return to voice the character in the animated film. The project will be directed by Shannon Tindle, known for his work on Netflix’s Ultraman: Rising and Kubo and the Two Strings. Ryan Firpo and Kaz Firpo have been roped in to write the screenplay.
The film will be produced by Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee of Thunder Road, Chad Stahelski of 87Eleven Entertainment and Keanu Reeves. Point Grey will also be associated with the production, while Nathan Kahane will serve as an executive producer.
The animated project was first announced at CinemaCon in 2025, when Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson spoke about the possibilities of exploring John Wick’s world through animation.
He said, “In both animation and the world of John Wick, the possibilities are endless.”
Speaking about the story, Fogelson added, “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.”
The makers have yet to announce a release date for the film.
What’s next for the John Wick franchise?
The John Wick franchise has grown into one of Hollywood’s most successful action series, earning more than $1 billion at the worldwide box office across five films, including the Ana de Armas-starrer spin-off Ballerina. The first John Wick film, released in 2014, introduced audiences to Reeves as a retired assassin forced to return to his dangerous former life. Its success led to three sequels, with John Wick: Chapter 4 arriving in theatres in 2023.
Lionsgate is now working on several projects to expand the franchise. Apart from the animated prequel, a fifth live-action John Wick film is also in development. Another spin-off will focus on Caine, the blind assassin played by Donnie Yen in John Wick: Chapter 4.
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