Like a one-two-three punch that you didn’t see coming, Lionsgate has delivered a triple-whammy for fans of the John Wick franchise by not only announcing a sequel, but an animated prequel, and a spin-off focusing on Donnie Yen’s blind assassin.
Taking to the stage at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group delivered the news that Keanu Reeves was to be resurrected and put through the wringer for a fifth time as the titular assassin, and that Chad Stahelski would be back to produce and direct.
That wasn’t all though, because the studio flexed their franchise muscles by declaring that John Wick was also set to appear in animated form with a prequel movie directed by Shannon Tindle (Ultraman: Rising), and written by Vanessa Taylor (The Shape of Water). The film will also have Reeves on vocal duties and is reportedly set to focus on John Wick before the first film, when he must undertake The Impossible Task in order to order to free himself from the High Table and earn the right to be with the love of his life.
The studio also debuted a new trailer for series spin-off Ballerina, which is headlined by Ana de Armas, while also adding to their ambitious world-building by revealing that Donnie Yen is set to direct and star in his own solo outing that will focus on his blind assassin, Caine. Described as a Hong Kong-style action thriller, Lionsgate has hired The Batman Part II and BRZRKR scribe Mattson Tomlin to write the script.
The John Wick franchise has so far earned over $1 billion worldwide, with John Wick: Chapter 4 grossing a franchise high $426 million, so there’s little surprise that Lionsgate want to capitalise on its seat at cinema’s high table. Let us know whether you’re excited about this news, or if you wish that Wick would have remained on the steps of the Sacré-Cœur Basilica by heading to our social channels @FlickeringMyth…
Source – Deadline
