Fans of the action-packed John Wick series have something exciting to look forward to: a new animated prequel film that delves into the legendary 'Impossible Task' referenced throughout the franchise. Announced at CinemaCon, this project marks a thrilling expansion of the John Wick universe, with Keanu Reeves returning to voice the iconic character. This follows the recent confirmation of Reeves reprising his role in the upcoming live-action film, John Wick 5.

Set before the events of the first John Wick film, the animated prequel will explore how John Wick completed the Impossible Task—killing all of his rivals in one night. This mission was crucial for Wick to break free from his obligations to the High Table and reunite with his beloved Helen. The film promises to deliver the signature stylized action that fans love, tailored for a mature audience.

The project is in the capable hands of the John Wick producing team, including Thunder Road’s Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, 87Eleven Entertainment’s Chad Stahelski, and Keanu Reeves himself. Executive producers include 87Eleven Entertainment’s Alex Young and Jason Spitz. Directing the film is animation veteran Shannon Tindle, known for his work on the Netflix film Ultraman: Rising, the 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 the Oscar-winning The Shape of Water.

Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, expressed enthusiasm about the project, highlighting the endless possibilities in animation and the high demand for the Impossible Task story. Stahelski echoed this sentiment, emphasizing his long-standing admiration for anime and its influence on the John Wick series, seeing this as a perfect medium to expand the franchise's world and action.

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The John Wick franchise continues to grow with a multitude of projects. Alongside the four mainline films and the upcoming John Wick 5, the universe expands with two spinoff films: Ballerina, set for release on June 6, and a Donnie Yen-directed spinoff featuring his character Caine, which will start production this summer.

Television is also part of the expansion with Lionsgate Television's The Continental: From the World of John Wick, available on Peacock and Amazon Prime. Additionally, Lionsgate is developing the series John Wick: Under the High Table, with Stahelski and Reeves as executive producers.

Beyond the screen, fans can immerse themselves in the John Wick experience at a new attraction in Las Vegas, and a AAA video game is also in development, further solidifying the franchise's presence across multiple entertainment platforms.