"John Wick Anime Prequel: Keanu Reeves Voices Iconic Character's Impossible Task"

Exciting news for fans of the John Wick franchise! The much-anticipated John Wick anime prequel film has finally locked in its setting. This thrilling announcement was made at CinemaCon, and it promises to take fans on a journey back in time to explore the legendary ‘Impossible Task’ that has been a cornerstone of John Wick’s mystique.

Keanu Reeves is set to return, lending his voice to the animated version of his iconic character, alongside his confirmed return for the live-action John Wick 5. The anime prequel will delve into the backstory of John Wick, showcasing his daring feat of eliminating all his rivals in one night to break free from the High Table's grasp and earn the right to be with his beloved Helen.

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 helmed by the same powerhouse team that has driven the John Wick series, including Thunder Road’s Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, 87Eleven Entertainment’s Chad Stahelski, and Keanu Reeves. Executive production duties will be handled by 87Eleven Entertainment’s Alex Young and Jason Spitz.

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

Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating, “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 shared his excitement about venturing into anime, saying, “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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The John Wick franchise is expanding rapidly. Alongside the four mainline films already released and the upcoming John Wick 5, the universe is growing with two spinoff films: Ballerina, set for release on June 6, and a yet-to-be-titled film directed by and starring Donnie Yen as his character Caine, which is slated to begin production this summer.

Lionsgate Television has also produced The Continental: From the World of John Wick for Peacock and Amazon Prime, and they are currently developing the series John Wick: Under the High Table, with Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves serving as executive producers.

Beyond the screen, Lionsgate has opened an immersive John Wick experience in Las Vegas and is developing a AAA John Wick video game, further enriching the franchise's universe.