The John Wick universe is about to expand in an awesome ew direction with an animated film! Lionsgate announced at CinemaCon that they’re developing an animated prequel film that will dive into the story fans have been dying to see: the legendary “Impossible Task.”
It will tell the story of the night John Wick wiped out all his rivals in one fell swoop to leave the assassin life behind and be with his wife, Helen.
Keanu Reeves is expected to return to voice his iconic character, with Shannon Tindle, known for Ultraman: Rising and Kubo and the Two Stringsdirecting. The screenplay is being written by Vanessa Taylor (Game of Thrones, Divergent, The Shape of Water).
The film will be produced by longtime Wick collaborators: Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, Chad Stahelski, and Reeves himself, with Alex Young and Jason Spitz executive producing.
This marks a first for the franchise, pushing its brutal ballet of bullets and grief into a medium that’s already inspired much of its style.
“In both animation and the world of John Wick, the possibilities are endless,” said Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. “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.”
Director Chad Stahelski, whose action aesthetic has always felt a bit like a living anime, seems especially thrilled:
“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.”
Producers Iwanyk and Lee echoed the excitement:
“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.”
While the John Wick films have always hinted at a rich backstory, this animated prequel promises to finally pull the curtain back on the event that built the myth. If done right, it could deliver a visually wild, emotionally weighty chapter in the franchise!
No release date has been set yet, but I’m excited!
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