Keanu Reeves returns as John Wick to finally show us the Impossible Task

If you thought John Wick was finally out of bullets after the last film, think again. Not only is Keanu Reeves not done yet, but he's actually coming back for an animated prequel from Lionsgate, which, if we're honest, nobody really had on their bingo card for 2026.

Keanu Reeves is locked in to voice John Wick for a new animated feature that goes back before the first film—yes, we're getting a proper look at that infamous Impossible Task.

Back to Where It All Began

So, what's this prequel all about? Essentially, the film aims to rewind the clock and focus on John Wick's early days, showing how he tackled the Impossible Task—his notorious do-or-die mission for the High Table—all in a bid to free himself and get back to Helen, the love of his life. For anyone who’s watched the films and wondered 'hang on, what was that job actually about?', this should finally fill in the gaps.

Here's how Lionsgate chair Adam Fogelson put it when the project became public: "In both animation and the world of John Wick, the possibilities are endless. And there is no John Wick story fans are clamoring for more than the Impossible Task. Shannon’s take on that story is an incredible one, and we are beyond excited to see what John Wick can do in animation."

Shannon Tindle (who did 'Ultraman: Rising') has been tapped to direct, working from a script by Ryan and Kaz Firpo. There’s plenty of Wick pedigree behind the scenes as well—long-time producers Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee (Thunder Road), plus Chad Stahelski and Reeves himself, are all on board. The team’s also joined by Point Grey.

Anime Roots & More To Come

The move to animation isn’t some random detour either. Stahelski, the bloke who’s steered the John Wick series so far, is a self-confessed anime obsessive. He’s been dying to take the franchise in this direction for ages, apparently. The hope is that anime will open up far more creative doors—bigger, wilder set pieces, and the sort of mad stylistic choices that would bankrupt a live-action production.

For anyone keeping count, the John Wick machine has barely skipped a beat. Alongside the four main films and the 'Ballerina' spin-off with Ana de Armas, there’s apparently still a John Wick: Chapter 5 on the cards, a Donnie Yen spin-off for his character Caine, and—because why not—a big-budget single-player video game in the works.

• The prequel will be directed by Shannon Tindle from a screenplay by Ryan and Kaz Firpo
• Keanu Reeves is back as the voice of John Wick
• It centres on Wick's Impossible Task for the High Table, pre-dating the original film
• Backing the project: Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, Chad Stahelski, and Reeves
• Point Grey is also attached
• Not a standalone effort—other John Wick projects are still in the pipeline, live-action and otherwise