# Keanu Reeves Returns for John Wick Animated Prequel Lionsgate greenlights an animated project exploring the legendary assassin's impossible origin story. - **Source:** [Gizmodo](https://brifing.si/source/63382431-cef0-4c41-883e-2f88dc21351e) - **Published:** 2026-11-05 - **Topic:** [entertainment](https://brifing.si/c/entertainment) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/4d714d9b-25fa-4238-8f1e-392f879dc6c9 ## Animated Prequel Greenlit Lionsgate has officially greenlit an animated prequel to the John Wick franchise. Keanu Reeves will serve as a producer and provide the voice for the titular character. This project aims to explore the mysterious Impossible Task, which allowed Wick to finally detach himself from the High Table and its lethal world. ## Creative Team Assembled Director Shannon Tindle, known for Ultraman: Rising, will helm the production. The script is written by Ryan and Kaz Firpo, who previously co-wrote Marvel’s Eternals. The project also involves the core Wick team, including producers Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, and Chad Stahelski, alongside the newly added Point Grey Productions studio. ## Anime Aesthetic Influence While the specific animation house remains unannounced, the project is expected to lean heavily into anime aesthetics. Director Chad Stahelski has long cited anime as a primary influence on the John Wick series. He believes the medium provides the perfect platform to expand the franchise’s complex characters and intense action sequences. ## Expanding the Wick Universe The film serves as a narrative expansion, focusing on the events preceding the original live-action movies. By detailing how Wick eliminated his rivals in a single night, the story provides essential context for his legendary status. This progression into animation allows for visual storytelling that traditional live-action films cannot easily replicate. ## Reeves' Continued Involvement Keanu Reeves continues his deep involvement with the franchise following his recent appearance in the 2025 film Ballerina. Despite mixed reception for that spin-off, his commitment to the animated prequel signals a desire to maintain creative control. He remains the central figure in shaping the future of the John Wick lore. ## Strategic Franchise Growth The decision to move into animation reflects a broader strategy to diversify the John Wick brand beyond standard theatrical releases. By utilizing the creative freedom of animation, the team can explore darker or more stylized sequences. This approach mirrors industry trends where established action franchises seek new mediums for storytelling. ## Production and Collaboration Point Grey Productions, co-founded by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, joins the established 87Eleven Entertainment team for this endeavor. This collaboration brings together diverse production expertise to manage the project's development. The involvement of these experienced studios suggests a high production standard despite the shift to an animated format. ## Future of the Franchise This animated project represents a significant step in the long-term evolution of the John Wick universe. By focusing on the character's origins, the film aims to satisfy fan curiosity regarding his past. It remains to be seen how this stylistic departure will impact the overall reception of the expanding franchise. ## Sources covering this story - https://gizmodo.com/keanu-reeves-officially-returning-for-john-wick-animated-film-2000835985 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._