"John Wick Anime Prequel: Keanu Reeves Voices Character in Impossible Task Story"

Exciting news for fans of the high-octane John Wick franchise: an anime prequel film has been officially announced, set to delve into the legendary 'Impossible Task' that has long been a cornerstone of John Wick's mythos. Revealed at CinemaCon, this animated venture will see Keanu Reeves returning to voice his iconic character, adding to his already confirmed role in the upcoming John Wick 5 live-action film.

Set before the events of the first John Wick movie, the animated prequel will explore John's mission to complete the Impossible Task. This daunting challenge involves eliminating all of his rivals in a single night, a feat that ultimately frees him from his obligations to the High Table and allows him to be with his beloved Helen. The film promises to maintain the franchise's signature highly stylized and intense action sequences, tailored for a mature audience.

The production team behind the John Wick series, including Thunder Road's Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, 87Eleven Entertainment's Chad Stahelski, and Keanu Reeves, will produce the film. Executive producers include 87Eleven Entertainment's Alex Young and Jason Spitz. Directing the project is animation veteran Shannon Tindle, 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 is penned by Vanessa Taylor, acclaimed for her work on Game of Thrones, Divergent, and her Oscar-nominated contributions to The Shape of Water.

Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating, “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 also shared his excitement, saying, “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 universe is expanding rapidly, with not only four mainline films already released and John Wick 5 on the horizon, but also two spinoff films in the works. Ballerina, starring Ana de Armas, is set to hit theaters on June 6, and another spinoff featuring Donnie Yen reprising his role as Caine is scheduled to start production this summer.

Lionsgate Television has further enriched the franchise with The Continental: From the World of John Wick, available on Peacock and Amazon Prime, and is developing John Wick: Under the High Table, with Stahelski and Reeves serving as executive producers.

Beyond the screen, Lionsgate has launched an immersive John Wick experience in Las Vegas and is developing a AAA video game, further cementing the franchise's place in popular culture.