Keanu Reeves Signs Deal for Lionsgate's Animated John Wick Prequel

The animated John Wick prequel has been discussed since CinemaCon in 2025, according to 3DJuegos. Lionsgate's latest confirmation moves it beyond that earlier announcement, with Keanu Reeves now signed to return.

The film looks back rather than continuing from the fourth movie. IGN All Gaming reported that it will tell the assassin's story before the tragic events of the first film. At its centre is the Impossible Task, the mission through which Wick wins his freedom from the High Table.

On November 5, Variety Movies reported that Reeves had officially closed his deal to return as John Wick in the animated prequel. His involvement is a voice role, bringing him back to the character in a different format.

The same day, Gizmodo Tech reported that Shannon Tindle, whose credits include "Ultraman: Rising," will direct. Ryan and Kaz Firpo are attached as writers.

Also on November 5, IGN All Gaming reported that the animated film will be produced by the same team behind the John Wick films. Its account placed the story before the first movie, establishing the project as an origin story rather than a sequel.

On November 6, 3DJuegos reported that Lionsgate had used its latest earnings presentation to confirm the green light and Reeves's agreement. That report also identified the Impossible Task as the prequel's central story.

The project is confirmed as moving forward, with Reeves returning and Tindle directing. The concrete change is the completed agreement for its star, not merely another expression of interest in an animated film, according to Variety Movies.

This is separate from the franchise's next live action instalment. Polygon.com reported that a fifth live action John Wick movie is also in development. The prequel's earlier setting gives Reeves another route back to Wick without following directly from the events of "John Wick: Chapter 4."

The supplied coverage does not give a release date or a production timetable for the animated prequel. Those are the next practical details to watch, along with how the film will depict the Impossible Task.