Lionsgate will expand the “John Wick” universe into a new dimension with an animated action film featuring the renowned assassin. The announcement was made today from the CinemaCon stage by Adam Fogelson, chair, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. It is expected that Keanu Reeves will return to voice his signature character in the animated film.

The animated feature will be produced by the “John Wick” producing team of Thunder Road’s Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, 87Eleven Entertainment’s Chad Stahelski, and Keanu Reeves. 87Eleven Entertainment’s Alex Young and Jason Spitz will executive produce.

The film will be directed by Shannon Tindle, an animation veteran who most recently co-wrote and directed the Annie-nominated Netflix film “Ultraman: Rising.” Tindle also created the double Oscar nominee “Kubo and the Two Strings” and served as executive producer/showrunner on the Emmy-winning series “Lost Ollie.” The film will be written by Vanessa Taylor, writer and co-executive producer of “Game of Thrones,” writer of “Divergent,” and an Oscar nominee for her work with Guillermo del Toro on the Best Picture winner “The Shape of Water.”

The animated film will go back in time to tell the story of “John Wick” before the first film, as he completes the Impossible Task—the killing of all of his rivals in one night—in order to free himself from his obligation to the High Table and earn the right to be with the love of his life, Helen.

Like the live-action feature films, the animated movie will deliver the highly stylized and defined action that “John Wick” fans expect and will be aimed at more mature audiences.

Fogelson said, “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.”

Stahelski added, “I’ve always been fascinated with anime. It has always been a huge influence on me, especially with the ‘John Wick’ series. To have the opportunity to develop a ‘John Wick’ anime seems to be the perfect progression for the ‘John Wick’ world. I feel ‘John Wick’ is the perfect property for this medium—anime holds the potential to expand our world, our characters, and our action in ways unimaginable before.”

Iwanyk and Lee said, “Shannon has a breathtaking vision for a film we’ve all long wanted to make. Alongside Vanessa’s story, we’re hugely excited to bring it to audiences.”

About Lionsgate Studios
Lionsgate Studios (Nasdaq: LION) is one of the world’s leading standalone, pure play, publicly-traded content companies. It brings together diversified motion picture and television production and distribution businesses, a world-class portfolio of valuable brands and franchises, a talent management and production powerhouse and a more than 20,000-title film and television library, all driven by Lionsgate’s bold and entrepreneurial culture.

About Lionsgate
Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) owns approximately 87% of the outstanding shares of Lionsgate Studios Corp. (Nasdaq: LION), one of the world’s leading standalone, pure play, publicly-traded content companies, as well as the premium subscription platform STARZ.