Lionsgate greenlights animated John Wick prequel with Keanu Reeves
Lionsgate has reportedly greenlit an animated John Wick prequel film in which Keanu Reeves reprises the role. Separately, Reeves is attached to a Saber Interactive John Wick prequel video game.
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The story, neutrally told
Centre · 2Lionsgate has given the official greenlight to an animated John Wick prequel film in which Keanu Reeves will reprise the title assassin, according to Screen Rant (citing TheWrap) and Collider. Screen RantN “Lionsgate (per TheWrap) has confirmed the fate of Reeves' John Wick animated prequel movie, giving it the official greenlight for production.” Read at Screen Rant ↗ ColliderN “Lionsgate has greenlit an animated John Wick movie, in which Reeves will reprise his role as the iconic assassin.” Read at Collider ↗ Centre · 2The film is to be directed by Shannon Tindle, known for Ultraman: Rising, from a script by Ryan and Kaz Firpo, who replace the previously announced writer Vanessa Taylor. Screen RantN “The film is being helmed by Ultraman: Rising's Shannon Tindle, while Ryan and Kaz Firpo are attached to pen the script, replacing the previously announced Vanessa Taylor.” Read at Screen Rant ↗ ColliderN “The film is set to be directed by Shannon Tindle (Ultraman: Rising), from a script by Ryan and Kaz Firpo (Eternals).” Read at Collider ↗ Centre · 1Collider reports that Reeves and Chad Stahelski, who directed all four earlier Wick films, will executive produce with Thunder Road's Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee. ColliderN “Reeves and Chad Stahelski, who directed all four previous Wick movies, will executive produce with Thunder Road’s Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee.” Read at Collider ↗
Centre · 1The story is set before the original 2014 film and, per Collider, will show how Wick completed the 'Impossible Task' that let him leave the criminal underworld and retire with his wife, Helen; it will not address how or whether he survived the end of John Wick: Chapter 4. ColliderN “It will detail how he accomplished the so-called 'Impossible Task" that allowed him to escape the all-consuming criminal underworld and retire to be with his beloved wife, Helen.”“But don't expect to find out how (or if) Wick survived his apparent demise at the conclusion of John Wick 4.” Read at Collider ↗ Centre · 2Screen Rant says Lionsgate first announced in April 2025 that the animated prequel and a Chapter 5 were moving forward with Reeves; Collider says Reeves has signed on for John Wick 5, with details kept secret, and no release date has been set for the animated film. Screen RantN “Lionsgate eventually announcing in April 2025 that both the animated prequel movie and a proper Chapter 5 were moving forward with him back as the iconic assassin.” Read at Screen Rant ↗ ColliderN “John Wick will return in John Wick 5; Reeves has signed on to star, but details about that film are being kept at the High Table for the time being.”“An animated John Wick movie is in development; no release date has yet been announced.” Read at Collider ↗ Centre · 2Both outlets also mention the spin-off Caine, with Donnie Yen directing and starring, which finished filming in July 2026 according to Screen Rant. Screen RantN “Donnie Yen would be directing and starring in a Caine spinoff movie, which wrapped production in July 2026.” Read at Screen Rant ↗ ColliderN “Caine, starring Donnie Yen as the blind swordsman of the title who aided Wick in John Wick 4, completed filming last summer.” Read at Collider ↗
Centre · 1An earlier Screen Rant article, on 3 November, covered a different project: an untitled AAA John Wick video game from Saber Interactive, for which Reeves lends his likeness and voice and which is also a prequel to the 2014 film. Screen RantN “The actor is lending both his likeness and voice to an upcoming AAA John Wick game from Saber Interactive”“the game will serve as a prequel to the original 2014 film” Read at Screen Rant ↗ Centre · 1That game was unveiled on 12 February 2026 at Sony's State of Play, is in development for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC, and has no official release date; 2028 has been floated, though Saber said remarks about that year were not an official announcement. Screen RantN “The currently untitled game was officially unveiled on February 12, 2026, during Sony's State of Play presentation”“Saber subsequently clarified that these remarks weren't intended as an official release announcement.” Read at Screen Rant ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left1 outlet
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre3 outlets
- Framing
- Fan-oriented entertainment news celebrating Reeves's return as the franchise's essential draw, leading with confirmation of a prequel.
- Emphasis
- Reeves's centrality to the franchise, the creative team, and the prequel's place in Wick's timeline.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Neither film article gives a release date or voice cast beyond Reeves; the film coverage relies on Lionsgate's reported confirmation via TheWrap without quoting the studio. The game article does not mention the animated film.
- Charged language
- “Officially Returns”“Baba Yaga”“definitive John Wick video game”
- For example
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“Keanu Reeves is officially returning as John Wick for a new prequel movie ahead of his return in Chapter 5.” — Collider
“it's difficult to imagine the films being so successful without Keanu Reeves.” — Screen Rant
“Keanu Reeves is definitely coming back for the new John Wick prequel movie.” — Screen Rant
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- Keanu Reeves is returning as John Wick in a prequel project.
- Lionsgate greenlit an animated prequel film directed by Shannon Tindle.
- Ryan and Kaz Firpo are writing the script.
- Chad Stahelski is involved and Donnie Yen's Caine spin-off has finished filming.
- No release date has been announced for the animated film.
Keanu Reeves person
Reeves is reported to be reprising Wick in the animated prequel, as an executive producer, and to be lending likeness and voice to the Saber game; the articles quote no statement from him.
“Reeves and Chad Stahelski, who directed all four previous Wick movies, will executive produce” — Collider
“The actor is lending both his likeness and voice to an upcoming AAA John Wick game” — Screen Rant
Lionsgate organisation
Lionsgate is reported to have greenlit the animated prequel for production, having announced in April 2025 that it was moving forward.
“Lionsgate (per TheWrap) has confirmed the fate of Reeves' John Wick animated prequel movie” — Screen Rant
Centre4 articles
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The John Wick Franchise Is Officially Bringing Back Keanu Reeves
Celebratory Presents Reeves's involvement in the Saber Interactive prequel game as exciting news, praising Saber's track record.
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Keanu Reeves' John Wick Prequel Movie Fate Finally Confirmed At Lionsgate
Neutral Short update reporting, via TheWrap, Lionsgate's greenlight of the animated prequel and its new writers.
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Keanu Reeves Officially Returns for New John Wick Prequel
Celebratory Announces Reeves's return in an animated prequel with enthusiastic tone, noting no de-aging is needed and clarifying what the story will cover.
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Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 3 Nov 12:43 First Screen RantN The John Wick Franchise Is Officially Bringing Back Keanu Reeves
- 5 Nov 22:22 +57h 39m Screen RantN Keanu Reeves' John Wick Prequel Movie Fate Finally Confirmed At Lionsgate
- 5 Nov 22:23 +57h 39m ColliderN Keanu Reeves Officially Returns for New John Wick Prequel
- 5 Nov 22:33 +57h 50m DeadlineN Lionsgate Animated John Wick Film With Keanu Reaves Officially A Go
- 5 Nov 22:35 +57h 52m VarietyLC Keanu Reeves Set to Return as John Wick in Animated Prequel Movie
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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