Exciting news has emerged from CinemaCon 2025 for fans of the John Wick franchise: the highly anticipated John Wick: Chapter 5 has been officially greenlit. With a concept now “locked in,” development is underway, and series star Keanu Reeves is on board.

Furthermore, John Wick enthusiasts have even more to look forward to: an animated prequel is in the works, which will delve into the “Impossible Task” that momentarily led the titular assassin to believe he could retire from his life of crime. This project is so ambitious that Lionsgate has decided animation is the best way to bring it to life. The story will take place before the events of the first John Wick film and is being written by Vanessa Taylor, known for her work on Game of Thrones and The Shape of Water, and directed by Shannon Tindle, who worked on Ultraman: Rising.

A press release from Lionsgate provided more details, stating that “the animated film will explore John Wick’s past, as he attempts to complete the Impossible Task—eliminating all his rivals in a single night—to free himself from his obligations to the High Table and be with his loved one, Helen.”

Chad Stahelski, director of the live-action John Wick films and co-producer of the animated project, expressed his enthusiasm: “I’ve always been fascinated by anime, which has significantly influenced my work, especially on the John Wick series. The opportunity to develop a John Wick anime is a perfect progression for the franchise. I believe John Wick is an ideal property for this medium, as anime can expand our world, characters, and action in unprecedented ways.”

The John Wick spin-off film Ballerina is set to release in June, and another spin-off has been confirmed, starring and directed by Donnie Yen, who reprises his role as the blind assassin Caine. Filming for this new project is scheduled to begin this summer, with Mattson Tomlin, known for The Batman Part II, on board to write the script, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

Yen shared his thoughts on the project: “The John Wick films have set a high standard for action movies, and I appreciate Lionsgate for giving me the chance to elevate the franchise further. I’m thrilled and inspired to make this happen.”

Stahelski added, “Caine is one of my favorite characters in the John Wick universe. Having the chance to explore his world and adventures is exciting for all of us. We envision a modern-day kung-fu classic that delves into the John Wick world, and who better to helm it than Donnie Yen himself? His understanding of the culture, the world, and the action makes him the perfect director for this project.”

Additional reporting by Germain Lussier. Original post updated with press release quotes.

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