John Wick Universe Expands:5th Movie, Anime Prequel, and Donnie Yen Spinoff Revealed!

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On Day Two at CinemaCon, I find myself thrilled by Lionsgate’s exciting announcements regarding the growth of the captivating John Wick franchise. This expansion includes the release of John Wick 5, a gripping prequel anime, updates about the Donnie Yen spinoff, and, of course, more of the legendary Keanu Reeves as our beloved super assassin.

John Wick 5 is a go

As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that all the whispers and anticipation were validated! During Lionsgate’s presentation at CinemaCon in Las Vegas this Tuesday, they officially confirmed that John Wick: Chapter 5 is underway! Keanu Reeves will once again embody the iconic character, while Chad Stahelski will be back at the helm, both as director and producer. This news has me on the edge of my seat with excitement!

Adam Folgsson, Lionsgate’s chairman, shared that Keanu, Chad, Basil, and Erica would only reprise their roles if they had a truly exceptional and innovative story to tell about these characters and this universe. He’s eagerly anticipating unveiling the next chapter in this adventure for viewers.

Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee stated, “Ensuring we tell this story accurately and advancing John’s narrative is crucial. We’re thrilled to embark on the initial part of this journey.

As of now, neither a launch date nor specific storyline details have been revealed, but we do know that the upcoming installment, referred to as John Wick: Chapter 4, will continue the narrative from where it left off.

John Wick prequel anime

In the upcoming anime version of the “John Wick” prequel, it’s anticipated that Keanu Reeves will lend his voice to his iconic character once more. Shannon Tindle is in charge of direction, and Vanessa Taylor is penning the script.

The anime spin-off will delve into John Wick’s past, recounting events before the initial movie, where he accomplishes the Impossible Mission – eliminating all his adversaries in a single night – to escape the bondage of the High Table and reclaim the chance to be with his beloved Helen.

In both the realm of animation and the John Wick universe, opportunities are limitless, according to Fogelson. “Fans crave more than anything else the tale known as The Impossible Task,” he added. “Shannon’s interpretation of this story is remarkable, and we can’t wait to see how John Wick handles such a challenge in animated form.

director Stahelski remarked: “I’ve always been captivated by anime. It has significantly influenced me, particularly with the John Wick series. The prospect of creating a John Wick anime feels like the ideal advancement for the John Wick universe. I believe that John Wick is an ideal fit for this medium; anime offers us the chance to explore our world, characters, and action in ways we never thought possible before.

Iwanyk and Lee expressed that Shannon’s captivating concept for a movie we’ve eagerly anticipated making is simply amazing. In addition to sharing Vanessa’s tale, they are thrilled about the opportunity to share this with audiences.

Donnie Yen spinoff

It was earlier announced that a spinoff from the “John Wick” series featuring Donnie Yen would be made. At CinemaCon, it was further revealed that Yen will not only star in this spinoff but will also take on the role of director for the project.

Mattson Tomlin, the collaborator on “The Batman” films, is penning the screenplay. He’s the same author who crafted the BRZRKR comic book for Reeves.

Details about the specifics of the plot are yet to be revealed, however, it’s clear that the Donnie Yen spinoff will pick up where “John Wick: Chapter 4” left off, further exploring the tale of Caine as he breaks free from the grip of the High Table.

No release date has been set.

As soon as Chad and Donnie proposed creating an action movie reminiscent of Donnie Yen’s style, similar to ‘John Wick’, I was fully on board,” said Fogelson. “Donnie isn’t just a captivating actor but also a clever director with a knack for delivering action that appeals to a wide, global audience. We’re delighted that he’ll be directing the film to bring Caine’s story to life.

In my own words: “I’m really excited about the chance Lionsgate has given me to raise the bar even higher in the ‘John Wick’ series. These films have already set a fantastic standard for action movies, and I feel truly inspired to contribute to that.

As a devoted cinephile who adores the John Wick universe, I can’t help but express my excitement over the prospect of exploring the fascinating character of Caine in greater depth. Delving into his past and uncovering his adventures is an opportunity that we, as creators, eagerly anticipate. We envision a contemporary martial arts masterpiece set within the John Wick world, and who else could be more fitting to guide this endeavor than the esteemed Donnie Yen? His profound understanding of the culture, the intricacies of the world, and, needless to say, his exceptional skills in action sequences make him the ideal candidate for this project.

Iwanyk and Lee stated, “No one understands this action character more profoundly than Donnie, and he has an uncanny knack for delivering audience-pleasing, Hong Kong-style action. He’s unquestionably the ideal candidate for directing, and we can’t wait to start filming.

Ballerina

On June 6th, both Lionsgate and the John Wick series are releasing the movie “Ballerina,” starring Ana de Armas. The story centers around Even (played by de Armas), an assassin raised in the customs of the Ruska Roma group who embarks on a quest for vengeance following her father’s demise.

Watch the trailer:

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2025-04-01 22:32