‘John Wick’ Getting Animated Prequel From Lionsgate; Keanu Reeves Expected To Voice Renowned Assassin – CinemaCon​on April 1, 2025 at 6:05 pm

As part of its expansion of the John Wick universe, Lionsgate is prepping an animated action film featuring the renowned assassin. The announcement was made today at CinemaCon by Adam Fogelson, chair, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. It is expected that franchise star Keanu Reeves will return to voice his signature character. Shannon Tindle is set to direct, Vanessa Taylor is writing.

The movie 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.

The animated feature will be produced by the John Wick team of Thunder Road’s Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, 87Eleven Entertainment’s Chad Stahelski, and Reeves. 87Eleven Entertainment’s Alex Young and Jason Spitz will executive produce.

Tindle most recently co-wrote and directed the Annie-nominated Netflix film Ultraman: Rising. He also created the double Oscar nominee Kubo and the Two Strings and served as executive producer/showrunner on the Emmy-winning series Lost Ollie. Taylor is known as writer and co-executive producer of Game of Thrones, writer of Divergent, and an Oscar nominee for her work with Guillermo del Toro on Best Picture winner The Shape of Water.

Fogelson said, “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.”

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.”

Iwanyk and Lee said, “Shannon has a breathtaking vision for a film we’ve all long wanted to make. Alongside Vanessa’s story, we’re hugely excited to bring it to audiences.”