The highly popular John Wick franchise, known for its high-octane action and intricate world of assassins, is set to expand into the world of anime. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Chad Stahelski, co-creator and director of the John Wick films, confirmed that an anime prequel is currently in the works.
This new project aims to explore one of the most intriguing elements of the John Wick saga: the “impossible task” that allowed the protagonist to retire before the events of the first movie.
In the John Wick universe, fans have heard references to this “impossible task,” which John Wick had to complete in order to leave his life as an assassin behind. However, the specific details have remained shrouded in mystery—until now.
According to Stahelski, the anime will delve into a critical moment in Wick’s life. As described by Viggo Tarasov in the film, this task involved eliminating all of Tarasov’s enemies in a single night—a feat so daunting that even Viggo considered it unachievable. Yet, Wick succeeded against all odds, paving the way for his retirement and setting up the events that unfold in the film series.
With this premise, the anime prequel promises to be one of the most action-packed entries in the John Wick universe. Fans will get to witness the sheer brutality and skill that made John Wick a legendary figure among assassins. It will finally provide a glimpse of Wick at the height of his career, when his reputation as a killer was at its peak.
Chad Stahelski, who directed all four live-action John Wick films from 2014 to 2023, is once again involved in expanding the franchise. His influence has been pivotal in shaping the broader John Wick universe, which also includes the upcoming spin-off film *Ballerina*. Stahelski’s involvement in the anime project assures fans that this new addition will stay true to the vision and intensity of the original films.
As John Wick ventures into the world of anime, fans have much to look forward to. Although there’s no official release date yet, the anime film is already “in development,” and production seems to be progressing smoothly.
