John Wick Universe Expands with Samurai Western

Back in November 2023, director Chad Stahelski shared that an anime-inspired project was being developed. At first, it was meant to be a TV series, but he explained that the stories worked better in animation with a Japanese look and feel. “We thought these ideas would be best told through that art style,” he said.

A year later, in October 2024, Stahelski revealed that the project would no longer be a series. Instead, it would hit theaters as a feature film.

He confirmed that the story will dive into John Wick’s past and finally show the “impossible task” that allowed him to leave the High Table and marry his wife. This legendary event has only been hinted at in the earlier movies. Stahelski added that he was excited to see the franchise explore a different kind of style.

In April 2025, Lionsgate made it official during CinemaCon. The studio gave the green light, with Keanu Reeves returning to voice the lead character. Shannon Tindle is directing, while Vanessa Taylor is writing the script. Reeves is also producing along with Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, and Stahelski. The project is being made by Lionsgate, Thunder Road Films, and 87Eleven Entertainment.

It’s unclear whether that’s the same project, but Variety recently highlighted screenwriter Austin Everett on its “Screenwriters to Watch for 2025” list. The outlet reported that Everett has already written a script for an original Samurai Western that will take place in the John Wick universe.

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