Lionsgate Just Dropped a Game-Changer for John Wick Fans!
Hold onto your tactical suits, assassins—Lionsgate is rewriting the rules of the Wick-verse with an explosive animated prequel!
Forget what you thought you knew about John Wick’s past. The studio just unveiled plans for a blood-soaked animated film diving into the legendary assassin’s most brutal mission—the Impossible Task—and it’s not holding back on the carnage.
🔥 Why This Is HUGE for Wick Fans
✔ Keanu Reeves is BACK – Voicing Wick in animated form for the first time ever.
✔ The Impossible Task FINALLY revealed – Witness how Wick slaughtered his way to freedom.
✔ From the team behind Kubo & The Shape of Water – A cinematic, ultra-stylized bloodbath.
✔ Not for kids – Expect the same gun-fu madness, just in jaw-dropping animation.
This isn’t just a spin-off—it’s a full-blown origin story that could redefine the franchise.
With Ballerina hitting theaters soon and a John Wick 5 still in play, Lionsgate is proving one thing: The High Table’s reign is FAR from over.
Lionsgate is expanding the John Wick universe with an ambitious new project—an animated prequel film that will delve into the origins of the legendary assassin’s most infamous mission. The studio is set to officially announce the film at CinemaCon on April 1, confirming that this won’t be a watered-down, kid-friendly take but a hard-hitting, stylized action thriller in line with the franchise’s signature intensity.
A Return to the “Impossible Task”
The untitled animated feature will explore the events leading up to the first John Wick (2014), specifically focusing on the “Impossible Task”—a brutal trial that allowed John Wick to earn his freedom from the High Table. This mission, long referenced in the films, required Wick to eliminate all his rivals in a single night, securing his retirement and the chance to live peacefully with his late wife, Helen.
Fans can expect the same high-octane action, intricate world-building, and dark underworld intrigue that define the live-action films. And in a major win for devotees, Keanu Reeves is expected to return, lending his voice to the animated version of the iconic hitman.
A Stellar Creative Team
The film will be directed by Shannon Tindle, an acclaimed animator and filmmaker known for Netflix’s Ultraman: Rising (which earned an Annie Award nomination) and his work on beloved projects like Kubo and the Two Strings, Coraline, and Megamind. Tindle’s experience in blending visually stunning animation with deep storytelling makes him an exciting choice for this fresh take on the Wick saga.
Handling the script is Vanessa Taylor, a seasoned writer whose credits include Game of Thrones, The Shape of Water (which won Best Picture at the Oscars), and Divergent. Her ability to craft compelling narratives in both fantasy and gritty action bodes well for the film’s tone.
Behind the scenes, the core producing team remains intact, including:
- Basil Iwanyk & Erica Lee (Thunder Road Films)
- Chad Stahelski (87Eleven Entertainment, director of the live-action Wick films)
- Keanu Reeves himself
The Expanding John Wick Universe
The John Wick franchise has grown exponentially since its debut, with Chapter 4 (2023) becoming the highest-grossing entry at $440 million worldwide. Lionsgate has been strategically expanding the universe, including:
- The Continental (Peacock’s live-action TV spin-off)
- Ballerina (upcoming spin-off film starring Ana de Armas, releasing June 6, 2025)
- A John Wick video game in development
This animated prequel marks a bold new direction, proving that the franchise isn’t afraid to experiment with different mediums while staying true to its roots.
What to Expect
Given the talent involved, the film will likely feature:
- Stylized, mature animation—think Spider-Verse meets Kill Bill
- Deep cuts from Wick’s past, including new assassins, High Table politics, and unseen missions
- Reeves’ signature intensity in voice form, ensuring continuity with the live-action films
With no release date yet confirmed, fans will have to stay tuned for more details. But one thing is certain: John Wick is far from done, and this animated chapter could be one of the most intriguing entries yet.
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