Keanu Reeves is going back to John Wick, this time in animation. According to IGN, Lionsgate’s animated prequel is moving ahead with Reeves set to reprise the role and produce, and it will tell the assassin’s story before the events of the first film.
Lionsgate describes the plot as a trip back in time to when Wick completes the Impossible Task, the job that frees him from his obligation to the High Table and earns him the right to be with his wife, Helen. Variety reports that the task involves killing all of his rivals in one night, and that Reeves has now closed a deal to return. The task has been referenced throughout the live-action series, so this film turns a piece of franchise lore into a full story.
Who’s making it
Shannon Tindle directs. He’s known for Ultraman: Rising and Kubo and the Two Strings. Ryan and Kaz Firpo, the writing duo behind Marvel’s Eternals, are writing the script. The producing team is the one behind the live-action films: Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee of Thunder Road, Chad Stahelski of 87Eleven Entertainment, and Reeves himself. Point Grey joins as a producer.
The film was first announced in 2025, and Lionsgate motion picture chair Adam Fogelson said then that there was “no ‘John Wick’ story fans are clamoring for more than the ‘Impossible Task.’” What’s still missing is the practical detail. IGN reports that the animation house hasn’t been named, so the film’s look is unknown. No release date or wider voice cast has been announced either.
Where it sits in the Wick pipeline
The prequel is one of several Wick projects in progress. A fifth live-action film is in development, although IGN notes that Stahelski has described finding the right story as a “conundrum”. We’ve covered the latest on that in our John Wick 5 story update. Saber Interactive is also making a John Wick game with Reeves as the lead. It’s heading to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, with no release date yet.
Reeves is also lending his voice elsewhere. He leads the cast of a Japanese stop-motion samurai film, which we covered in our Hidari report. Other studios are also using animation to revive established properties, as with the Firefly animated series.
When will the animated John Wick prequel be released?
No date has been announced. The film is described as being in the works, and the animation studio hasn’t been named.
Will Keanu Reeves voice John Wick in the animated film?
Yes. IGN reports he’s set to reprise the role and is also a producer. Lionsgate hasn’t announced the rest of the voice cast.
Is John Wick 5 still happening?
Yes, a fifth live-action film is in development. IGN says it was first revealed in April 2025, but the story is still being worked out.
