Keanu Reeves Returns for ‘John Wick 5’ as Franchise Expands with Donnie Yen Spinoff and Animated Prequel
The John Wick universe is officially leveling up. At CinemaCon 2025, Lionsgate revealed that Keanu Reeves will return as the unstoppable assassin in John Wick 5, while also unveiling two major expansions to the franchise: an animated prequel film and a standalone spinoff centered on Donnie Yen’s fan-favorite character, Caine.
Reeves will once again don the black suit for John Wick 5, reuniting with longtime director Chad Stahelski and producers Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee. No plot details or production timeline have been revealed, but Lionsgate says the creative team is taking their time to craft a story that feels “phenomenal and fresh,” and a worthy continuation of Wick’s journey.
The new installment follows the massive success of John Wick: Chapter 4, which grossed $440 million globally, making it the most lucrative entry in the franchise to date. Since the series’ debut in 2014, each chapter has built upon its predecessor in scale, style, and box office power.
A Donnie Yen-Led Spinoff Is on the Way
Adding even more depth to the John Wick world, Donnie Yen is set to star in and direct an untitled standalone film based on his character Caine, introduced in Chapter 4. The spinoff picks up after Caine’s liberation from the High Table, diving into his life beyond the code he once lived by. Described as a “modern-day kung fu classic,” the film will channel the visual and thematic essence of the John Wick series while embracing Yen’s signature action style.
Yen, a martial arts icon whose credits include Rogue One and the Ip Man franchise, will also executive produce. The screenplay is being penned by The Batman Part II writer Mattson Tomlin, with an earlier draft by Robert Askins. Production is slated to begin in Hong Kong later this year.
“The John Wick films have set an immensely high standard for action filmmaking,” Yen said. “I’m thrilled and deeply inspired to take this next step and bring Caine’s story to life.”
Animated Prequel to Explore Wick’s Darkest Chapter
Also announced was an ambitious animated prequel, with Keanu Reeves set to voice his iconic character. The film will explore the legendary “Impossible Task”—the blood-soaked mission that allowed John Wick to retire and live with his wife Helen, before fate brought him back into the assassin’s world.
The animated feature will be directed by Ultraman: Rising’s Shannon Tindle and written by Vanessa Taylor (Game of Thrones, The Shape of Water). The story, aimed at adult audiences, promises to expand the mythos in bold, visually stunning ways that live-action could never fully capture.
“There is no John Wick story fans are clamoring for more than the ‘Impossible Task,’” said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chair Adam Fogelson. “In both animation and this world, the possibilities are endless.”
Franchise architect Chad Stahelski added, “I’ve always been fascinated with anime. It’s a huge influence on me and on John Wick. This medium lets us explore new dimensions of the world and its characters like never before.”
What’s Next for the Wick-Verse
These projects build upon the foundation laid by the upcoming Ballerina, starring Ana de Armas, which hits theaters June 6. De Armas appeared at CinemaCon to unveil an extended action sequence from the film, which follows her character, Eve Macarro, a ballerina-turned-assassin seeking vengeance. Reeves will also appear in Ballerina, tying the spin-off directly into the main timeline.
With Reeves back, Donnie Yen stepping behind the camera, and the franchise leaping into animation, the John Wick universe is growing into something far larger than its underground origins—an action saga that spans continents, mediums, and mythologies.