Keanu Reeves is officially returning as the unstoppable assassin John Wick in John Wick: Chapter 5, marking another major milestone for the beloved action franchise. The announcement, made at CinemaCon 2025, confirmed that Reeves will reunite with director Chad Stahelski and the core creative team, including producers Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, ensuring continuity and the franchise’s signature high-octane style.
But that’s not all. Fans will also get an animated prequel exploring Wick’s legendary backstory. Reeves is set to voice the character in the animated film, which will delve into the infamous “Impossible Task,” where Wick took down an army of rivals in a single night to earn his freedom from the mysterious High Table. The animated project is being written by Vanessa Taylor (The Shape of Water) and directed by Shannon Tindle, promising a fresh and cinematic perspective on the assassin’s past.
Lionsgate executives emphasized that Reeves and Stahelski would only return if they could bring something extraordinary to the story. The combination of live-action and animation is being positioned as a bold, innovative approach, giving fans both a continuation of Wick’s present-day battles and an immersive look into his origin story.
Reeves himself has hinted at the physical challenges of reprising the role. In previous interviews, he admitted that the intense action sequences have taken a toll on his body, joking that his knees are “saying I can’t” do another John Wick. This makes his return for Chapter 5 particularly significant, showing both dedication and a genuine desire to honor the character’s legacy.
The franchise’s popularity continues to grow worldwide. John Wick films are praised not only for their choreography and visual style but also for building a rich, almost mythic universe around the world of assassins. With Chapter 5 and the animated prequel, the studio aims to expand that universe further, creating opportunities for spin-offs, streaming specials, and even cross-media storytelling.
Bottom Line:
Keanu Reeves is set to bring John Wick back to life in a major way. Chapter 5 promises another adrenaline-fueled ride, while the animated prequel gives fans a deeper understanding of Wick’s world. Between live-action intensity and creative storytelling, the John Wick universe is poised to continue breaking boundaries in action cinema.
