John Wick Executive Discusses Keanu Reeves’ Involvement in the Upcoming Anime

John Wick Executive Discusses Keanu Reeves' Involvement in the Upcoming Anime

Key Takeaways

  • John Wick franchise expanding with anime prequel exploring his mysterious past.
  • Keanu Reeves actively involved in shaping future of John Wick in anime, TV, spin-off.
  • Anime project offers creative freedom to explore fresh narratives beyond sequels.

As a seasoned gamer and die-hard John Wick fan, I can hardly contain my excitement about the upcoming anime prequel! The idea of delving deeper into the mysterious past of our favorite assassin is like striking gold for me. I’ve spent countless hours immersing myself in the John Wick universe, from the gritty action sequences to the intricate lore hidden within each frame.


Although the intense happenings in John Wick: Chapter 4 seemed to suggest John Wick’s demise, the production company Lionsgate and their creative team have no intentions of wrapping up the assassin’s storyline. Instead, they are ready to delve deeper into the mysterious and action-packed world that the saga offers.

Chad Stahelski, a key figure behind the “John Wick” movie series, recently celebrated the 10-year cinematic journey of John Wick with some intriguing updates about its future. Besides announcing a new TV show and a spin-off movie, Stahelski hinted that John Wick will also venture into the realm of anime. Although specifics about the upcoming John Wick anime film are yet to be disclosed, Stahelski hinted at Keanu Reeves’ continued role in crafting the franchise’s forthcoming installments.

During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter to celebrate the 10th anniversary of John Wick, director Chad Stahelski discussed Keanu Reeves’ ongoing dedication to the series and his involvement in the upcoming John Wick anime film. Stahelski revealed, “We decided that everything would go through me as a filter. We have three new projects: an anime feature, a TV show, and a spinoff. So, Keanu and I are still deeply involved in all of it, ensuring we don’t lose sight of what makes John Wick unique. Whether it’s the pinball machine, the anime movie, or the new TV series we’re developing, it still passes through us first. As soon as something lands on my desk, Keanu is the first person I call.” Stahelski also emphasized the importance of maintaining creative control to steer the John Wick franchise in the right direction amidst multiple creative influences, saying, “It’s a way for us to safeguard ourselves. To put it bluntly, we’ve worked hard for ten years and don’t want to see it all go awry.

John Wick Executive Discusses Keanu Reeves' Involvement in the Upcoming Anime

In the forthcoming “John Wick” anime series, we delve deeper into the enigmatic aspects of John’s past that have been subtly hinted at across the four films. Specifically, this prequel will explore an intriguing mission known as the “impossible task,” which granted John a fleeting taste of normal life with his wife. This daunting assignment, which earned him the apprehension of Russian mob boss Viggo Tarasov as initially introduced in the original “John Wick” film, is shrouded in mystery. Fans suspect that this task entailed the elimination of all Tarasov’s adversaries by the legendary Baba Yaga within a single night. However, does unveiling these specifics diminish John Wick’s enigmatic allure? This anime prequel endeavors to address this question by delving into how John accomplished this seemingly insurmountable feat and enjoyed a temporary reprieve from his perilous existence, providing a peek into the tranquility before the impending storm.

Director Stahelski emphasized the innovative opportunities anime presents for the upcoming John Wick venture, acknowledging that continued John Wick sequels might seem monotonous. Anime, however, offers a new perspective to delve deeper into the John Wick universe and uncover untold aspects of his past. The primary focus is now on broadening storytelling through anime and television, where they can experiment with creative boundaries. Interestingly, Keanu Reeves’ influence in the anime realm isn’t limited to John Wick; his comic, BRZRKR, is also being adapted into an anime production by Netflix. This upcoming adaptation, supported by renowned studio Production I.G., known for hits like Kaiju No. 8, Terminator Zero, and Haikyu!!: The Dumpster Battle, promises a unique take on action-packed narratives, distinct from the revenge-driven storyline of John Wick.

Regarding the future of John Wick in live-action, it’s not clear if Keanu Reeves will reprise his role for the confirmed Chapter 5. Director Chad Stahelski mentioned that they aim to respect the ending of Chapter 4, stating, “You can’t surpass John Wick: Chapter 4. That’s the end, and we found resolution.” However, he admits that potential developments could open possibilities for John Wick 5, either financially or creatively. Exciting projects are indeed in progress. In addition to an animated series, a spin-off featuring Donnie Yen is currently being developed, while the franchise will initially introduce From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, starring Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro, a determined assassin seeking vengeance for her father’s death.

The John Wick Anime is still in development.

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2024-11-17 20:24