In a new report, it has been revealed that the upcoming John Wick anime film is currently in development.
The John Wick franchise has been exponentially expanding in the last few years. Following the release of John Wick: Chapter 4, a spin-off about Winston Scott titled The Continental: From The World Of John Wick was released, as well as the active productions of a Caine spin-off film, a High Table-centric series titled John Wick: Under The High Table, a film following Rooney titled Ballerina, and John Wick: Chapter 5. Well, Lionsgate isn’t quite done, with an update on the upcoming John Wick anime film.
A piece by The Hollywood Reporter, celebrating the tenth anniversary of John Wick, details the upcoming film briefly. Writer Brian Davids spoke to Chad Stahelski who revealed that the film is in active development, and will reportedly follow the “impossible task” Wick had to complete to earn his retirement before the beginning of the first John Wick film.
In the initial franchise instalment, the film hinged on Wick coming out of retirement to get revenge on the men who murdered his dog. Characters treat him as The Boogeyman (“baba yaga”) due to the sheer insanity of the task he had completed to earn his way out of the universe’s underworld and retire with the love of his life. It’s a factor of the overarching plot that has never been examined further than this in the film franchise, but audiences soon will find out the full story.
In the article, Davids interviews franchise co-creator Stahelski who stated the following when prompted:
“Right now, we’re knee-deep in development on a feature anime about John Wick. It’s a prequel to the movies, which is awesome. It’s fun that it’s in a different medium… It’s animated fun. It’s meant to be fun. Some of the prequels and sequels that you see in other franchises, we’re not meant to be built that way. We just want to have fun. We want to have fun with the Wick world, but we’ve already capped it on one end [with John Wick: Chapter 4], so let’s go back and use a different medium.
Stahelski also confirmed that the Donnie Yen-led Caine film is in active development and currently being written.
‘John Wick’ Back In Theatres This November
John Wick turns 10 this year. The film was directed by Chad Stahelski, co-directed by David Leitch, and starred Keanu Reeves as the dog-avenging assassin that we’ve all come to love. The film is re-releasing in theatres for the anniversary via Fathom Events on November 3rd and November 6th. The re-release synopsis reads as follows:
“People keep asking if he’s back, and yeah – we’re thinking he is. John Wick, the revolutionary first film of the iconic action franchise, roars into theaters November 3 & 6 for its 10-year anniversary – and with an exclusive sneak peek at the upcoming Wick franchise spinoff, Ballerina, you’re definitely going to want to be there. Brought to you by Fathom Events, John Wick tells the now-legendary story of the retired assassin’s (Keanu Reeves) quest for vengeance after thugs steal his car and kill his puppy, triggering the furious reemergence of the world’s deadliest and most-feared hit man. Fans hungry for more from the mythic John Wick universe will be treated to an exclusive sneak peek at the upcoming Ballerina, which expands the world of Wick with the story of Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas), who is beginning her training in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma. Screening in theaters November 3 & 6 only, for an exclusive two-night event.”
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