Lionsgate Greenlights John Wick Animated Prequel
Keanu Reeves is set to return as John Wick in an untitled animated prequel that dramatizes how the character was freed from the High Tables.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Animation
Lionsgate has greenlit an untitled John Wick animated prequel, with Keanu Reeves returning as the title character. The project was announced during Lionsgate's earnings call.
Why it matters
The prequel extends the John Wick franchise into animation and deepens its mythology by dramatizing the impossible task that freed Wick from the High Tables. It also adds Point Grey as a new production partner alongside Thunder Road and 87Eleven Entertainment.
The franchise's most recent entry, the spinoff Ballerina, was released last year. The extraction provides no box office, streaming, or production budget figures for the prequel itself.
The players
Keanu Reeves
Reeves is the actor best known for playing the title character across the John Wick films, and he is returning to the role in the animated prequel.
Lionsgate
Lionsgate is a major international studio and entertainment company that announced the prequel and greenlit its development.
Thunder Road
Thunder Road is a production company co-developing the John Wick franchise, with producers Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee attached to the prequel.
87Eleven Entertainment
87Eleven Entertainment is the production company founded by stunt coordinator and director Chad Stehelski, who is producing the prequel.
The details
Shannon Tindle will direct the prequel from a screenplay by Ryan and Kaz Firpo, who previously wrote Marvel Studios' Eternals with Patrick Burleigh and Chloé Zhao. Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee are producing for Thunder Road, Chad Stehelski for 87Eleven Entertainment, and Keanu Reeves will also produce.
Timeline
Last year: the John Wick spinoff Ballerina was released.
April to July of this year: filming of Caine, based on Donnie Yen's character, took place.
November 5, 2026: Lionsgate announced the animated prequel on its earnings call.
Franchise Expansion
The prequel follows the John Wick franchise's pattern of spinoff expansion, most recently seen in the live-action spinoff Ballerina, and extends that pattern into animation.
No release date, platform, or distribution details were announced, so viewers cannot yet tell where or when the animated prequel will be available. Fans should watch for a platform and premiere announcement from Lionsgate.
The takeaway
Expanding the John Wick franchise into animation signals that studios are testing whether a beloved live-action property can carry its mythology into new formats. Readers following the franchise should expect release details to follow the announcement.
Further reading
Explore more in Animation coverage on Wisevoter.
