"John Wick Anime Prequel: Keanu Reeves Voices His Impossible Task"

The much-anticipated John Wick anime prequel has officially been set, as announced during CinemaCon. Fans will be thrilled to know that Keanu Reeves will return to voice his iconic character, complementing his already confirmed reprise in the live-action John Wick 5. This animated film will delve into the legendary 'Impossible Task' referenced throughout the John Wick series, which has significantly contributed to the mystique and fear surrounding the character.

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 produced by the John Wick producing team, including Thunder Road's Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, 87Eleven Entertainment's Chad Stahelski, and Keanu Reeves. Alex Young and Jason Spitz from 87Eleven Entertainment will serve as executive producers.

Directing the film is Shannon Tindle, a seasoned animator 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 will be penned by Vanessa Taylor, renowned for her contributions to Game of Thrones, Divergent, and the Oscar-winning film The Shape of Water.

Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, expressed enthusiasm about the project: "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 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."

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The John Wick franchise continues to expand across multiple platforms. Alongside the four mainline films and the upcoming John Wick 5, the universe includes two spinoff films: Ballerina, set to release on June 6, and another directed by and starring Donnie Yen, reprising his role as Caine, which is slated to begin production this summer. Additionally, Lionsgate Television has produced The Continental: From the World of John Wick for Peacock and Amazon Prime, and is developing the series John Wick: Under the High Table, with Stahelski and Reeves as executive producers.

Beyond film and television, Lionsgate has launched an immersive John Wick experience in Las Vegas and is working on a John Wick AAA video game, further solidifying the franchise's expansive reach and ongoing popularity.