Lionsgate is moving the John Wick franchise into animation with the story that has hovered over the series since the original film: the Impossible Task.
The studio confirmed during its Nov. 5, 2026, fiscal second-quarter investor call that it has begun pre-production on an animated John Wick prequel and that Keanu Reeves is returning to the role. Trade reports from Variety, TheWrap and Animation World Network say Reeves will voice Wick and also produce the film.
The film is set before the 2014 John Wick and will show Wick completing the Impossible Task, the job that lets him leave the High Table and build a life with Helen. Variety reported that the task involves killing his rivals in one night.
Animation gives the franchise a direct route into younger-Wick territory without recasting the character for live action.
The format also fits a story the live-action series has treated almost like folklore. The Impossible Task has always been less about one assignment and more about the scale of the reputation John Wick carried into the first movie.
Shannon Tindle is directing
Shannon Tindle, who directed and co-wrote Netflix’s Ultraman: Rising, is set to direct the prequel. Ryan and Kaz Firpo are writing the screenplay. The writing credit has changed from the project’s 2025 CinemaCon announcement, when Vanessa Taylor was attached.
The producing group keeps the main franchise team close to the project. Reeves, Thunder Road’s Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, and Chad Stahelski for 87Eleven Entertainment are producing. Point Grey has also joined the film, with TheWrap reporting Nathan Kahane as an executive producer.
That team choice matters because John Wick is not just a character brand. Much of the franchise’s identity comes from its specific action rhythm, controlled camera movement and readable stunt design. Animation can exaggerate motion and scale, but it still has to preserve the series’ sense of impact.
Lionsgate is expanding John Wick beyond live action
The announcement landed as Lionsgate framed branded franchises as a major part of its next phase. In the same investor call, Lionsgate said it is working with Saber on a John Wick AAA game and discussed Caine, the Donnie Yen-led spinoff from the John Wick universe.
The company also reported US$668.8 million in revenue for its fiscal second quarter and US$1.04 billion in trailing 12-month library revenue, which it described as its second-highest library performance. That financial context helps explain why the studio is stretching proven properties across films, games and other formats.
What remains unannounced
Lionsgate has not announced the film’s final title, release date, animation studio, rating or full voice cast.
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