Keanu Reeves To Star In JOHN WICK 5 While Donnie Yen Spinoff And Animated Prequel Also In The Works

Well, that didn't take long! Keanu Reeves is set to return as the vengeful hitman in the upcoming sequel "John Wick 5". The announcement was made by Lionsgate at CinemaCon. In the meantime, the studio is expanding the action franchise with an animated prequel film and a Caine-centric standalone installment starring Donnie Yen ("IP Man", "Rogue One") as the blind assassin. On June 6, 2025 the Ana de Armas spinoff "Ballerina" opens in theaters.

Reeves will also appear in "Ballerina" before reprising the titular role in "John Wick 5". Franchise director and producer Chad Stahelski will also return alongside Thunder Road producers Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee. No other cast members have been announced and plot details have not been revealed.

The film series started in 2014, with the first "John Wick" grossing $86.1 million worldwide, and becoming a huge hit on home video. The sequels became increasingly more successful with each new iteration: "John Wick: Chapter 2" grossed $174.3 million, "John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum" finished its theatrical run with $328.3 million, and 2023's "John Wick: Chapter 4" topped the franchise with $440 million.

Yen is set to star in his own standalone feature, reprising the role of the blind assassin Caine from "John Wick: Chapter 4". Yen will also direct and executive produce the untitled film, which begins production in Hong Kong later this year. Mattson Tomlin, writer of the upcoming "The Batman Part II" and the adaptation of Keanu Reeves' comic book "BRZRKR", will pen the script based on a previous draft written by Robert Askins. Iwanyk, Lee and Stahelski will produce.

The new standalone spinoff will continue Cain's story arc following the events of "John Wick: Chapter 4", which saw Yen's character freed from his obligations to the High Table. Lionsgate described the new film as "stylistically modeled on the uniquely designed action films that Yen helped make famous". Stahelski described the film as a "modern day kung-fu classic that explores the John Wick world". He also added: "One of my favorite characters in the 'John Wick' world is Caine. To have the chance to dive into his world and discover all his adventures excites us all. And who better to helm it than Donnie Yen himself. His understanding of the culture, the world, and, of course, the action, make him the perfect director for this project.".

Yen had this to say about the spinoff: "The 'John Wick’ films have set an immensely high standard for action filmmaking and I greatly appreciate Lionsgate giving me the opportunity to further elevate the franchise. I am both thrilled and deeply inspired to make this happen".

The animated prequel, which is directed by animation veteran Shannon Tindle ("Ultraman: Rising"), is a story intended for "more mature audiences" and is set before the first film in the series, following Wick's origins as he completes the Impossible Task - the killing of all of his rivals in one night - to free himself from his obligation to the High Table and earn the right to be with the love of his life, Helen. Reeves will lend his voice to his iconic character. The screenplay is penned by Vanessa Taylor ("The Shape of Water", "Divergent", "Hillbilly Elegy"). Iwanyk, Lee, Stahelski and Reeves will also produce the animated prequel. 87Eleven Entertainment's Alex Young and Jason Spitz will executive produce the film.

Stahelski said this about the animated film: "I've always been fascinated with anime. It has always been a huge influence on me, especially with the 'John Wick' series. 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."

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Thursday, April 3, 2025

Keanu Reeves To Star In JOHN WICK 5 While Donnie Yen Spinoff And Animated Prequel Also In The Works

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