John Wick is alive… in animated form!
Yes, as it stands, at least for a little while longer, the Baba Yaga is still dead in the current timeline of the John Wick universe. However, per Deadline, Lionsgate has greenlit its animated John Wick prequel film, with Keanu Reeves officially returning to voice the iconic assassin.
The feature will be produced by Thunder Road’s Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, 87Eleven Entertainment’s Chad Stahelski, and Reeves, and will be joined by Point Grey. Shannon Tindle (Ultraman: Rising) will direct from a screenplay written by Ryan & Kaz Firpo.
First announced in November 2023, the anime-styled prequel film will be set before the events of the first John Wick, following the titular assassin as he completes the Impossible Task to free himself from his obligation to the High Table and earn the right to be with the love of his life, Helen.
Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer noted today in comments after quarterly earnings that the film was in pre-production. This is the first real update on the project since CinemaCon 2025. Back then, Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, said the following about the project:
“In both animation and the world of John Wick, the possibilities are endless. 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.”
As it stands, the next installment in the John Wick franchise will be Caine. The spinoff sequel to John Wick: Chapter 4 will continue the story of Donnie Yen’s Caine, picking up after the 2023 movie’s post-credits scene. Rina Sawayama will also reprise her role as Shimazu Akira.
Caine wrapped production in July 2026. A release date remains unannounced, but it will clearly be released before the untitled animated prequel. So, yeah, John Wick fans now have two projects to look forward to seeing in the near future.
Are you interested in seeing how John Wick was freed from the High Table? What are your hopes for the animation style? Tell us in the comments with your Disqus account!
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