Summary
After cementing its place as one of the most thrilling action franchises of the past decade,John Wickis set to expand into new territory with an anime prequel film. Director Chad Stahelski, who co-created and directedall four mainlineJohn Wickfilms, recently confirmed the news.
In a recent interview, Stahelski confirmed that the team is “knee-deep in development” on aJohn Wickanime feature. The anime will explore events preceding the original 2014 film, potentially revealing the fabled “impossible task” that allowed John to retire from his life as an assassin.
Exploring Wick’s Past in a Different Medium
While the director didn’t spill many details on the plot specifics, he hinted that the film’s narrative would take audiences deeper into the Wick universe with more creative freedom and storytelling possibilities.
Stahelski expressed his excitement about moving the franchise into a new medium, noting that while the main storyline of John Wick was concluded with 2023’sChapter 4, there is still plenty of untapped potential within the franchise. The anime format, he explains, offers a unique way to delve into unexplored corners of this world. This sentiment aligns with how the franchise has expanded withspinoff projects likeThe Continental, which explored the criminal underworld in 1970s New York, andthe upcomingBallerina, starring Ana de Armas.
A Fresh Approach to the Franchise
The move to anime signals the creative team’s desire to keep pushing boundaries without being limited by the constraints of traditional live-action. Stahelski explained that working in the anime space lets the creators “be a little bit more crazy and nutty,” making it an ideal avenue for expanding the franchise.
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 [withJohn Wick: Chapter 4], so let’s go back and use a different medium. — Chad Stahelski to The Hollywood Reporter
Though there’sno word yet on whether Reeves will returnfor his role—either in a voice capacity or through flashbacks—the anime prequel’s storyline promises to delve into the heart of what made Wick a living legend in the criminal underworld.
Where to Watch John Wick Anime and What to Expect
As development on theJohn Wickanime continues, fans can likely expect its release in late 2025 or beyond. While official streaming platforms haven’t been announced, a release onPeacock—home to the recent spinoff seriesThe Continental—seems like a logical choice given its existing ties to the franchise. However, there is also speculation that other major platforms could vie for distribution rights to this much-anticipated project.
This anime prequel could answer burning questions about the origins ofJohn Wick’s retirement and continue the saga in a way that honors its gritty action roots while embracing a new style and form of storytelling.
