"John Wick Anime Prequel: Keanu Reeves Voices Character's Impossible Task"

The John Wick franchise is expanding into new territory with the announcement of an anime prequel film, set to explore the legendary 'Impossible Task' that shaped John Wick's fearsome reputation. Announced at CinemaCon, this animated feature will see Keanu Reeves reprise his role as the iconic hitman, adding to his already confirmed return for the live-action John Wick 5.

The anime will delve into the backstory of John Wick, focusing on his mission to eliminate all his rivals in one night to break free from the High Table and reunite with his love, Helen. The film promises to maintain the high-octane, stylized action that fans have come to expect from the series, targeting a mature audience.

The project is being produced by the seasoned John Wick team, including Thunder Road's Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, 87Eleven Entertainment's Chad Stahelski, and Keanu Reeves himself. Executive production will be handled by 87Eleven's Alex Young and Jason Spitz.

Directing the film is Shannon Tindle, a respected figure in animation known for his work on Ultraman: Rising, Kubo and the Two Strings, and Lost Ollie. The screenplay is penned by Vanessa Taylor, who has contributed to Game of Thrones, Divergent, and the Oscar-winning The Shape of Water.

Adam Fogelson of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group expressed excitement about the project, highlighting the unique potential of animation to explore the John Wick universe further. Chad Stahelski also shared his enthusiasm, noting the influence of anime on the John Wick series and the exciting possibilities it offers for expanding the franchise.

The John Wick franchise continues to grow, with the anime prequel joining a lineup that includes four mainline films, the upcoming John Wick 5, two spinoff films (Ballerina and a Donnie Yen-led project), the television series The Continental: From the World of John Wick, and the forthcoming John Wick: Under the High Table. Beyond the screen, Lionsgate has launched an immersive John Wick experience in Las Vegas and is developing a AAA video game.

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