John Wick Anime in Development

There's a lot going on in the world of John Wick: Chad Stahelski announced an anime project last year, but more specific details remained unknown. Now, however, there seems to be a lot going on and work on the "John Wick" anime movie is in full swing.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Stahelski revealed that it will be a prequel. According to his own statement, it is less about repeating the adventures of "John Wick" over and over again. Instead, the goal is to further expand the world in which he moves and explore previously untapped aspects.

The possibilities of an anime seem particularly attractive. According to the director, visual and narrative boundaries can be broken that would not be possible in the movies or in a live-action series. This means that the creators can act even more freely in the anime world, especially when it comes to action scenes. According to Stahelski, it is very important that the focus is on entertainment.

In addition, the live-action series "Under the High Table" is still in the making, which is to follow on directly from the end of "John Wick: Chapter 4". It is being written by Robert Levine, the co-creator of "The Old Man" with Jeff Bridges. Producers include Keanu Reeves and Chad Stahelski, who will also direct the pilot episode.

A brief overview of the popular action series

The "John Wick" series is one of the most popular action franchises today, having managed to achieve cult status in just a few years. With breathtaking stunts, thrilling fight scenes and a dark, fascinating underworld, the film series has revolutionized the way action films are staged today. The character of John Wick, played by Keanu Reeves, is more than just a contract killer. He embodies a man who is drawn into a spiral of violence through personal loss, which leads him back into his old world.

John Wick (2014): The beginning of a legend

The first "John Wick" film was released in 2014, directed by Chad Stahelski, and introduced audiences to one of the most iconic action heroes in modern film history. Keanu Reeves, who had somewhat faded into the background as an action star after his "Matrix" trilogy, made a brilliant comeback with the role of John Wick.

The plot of the first film is relatively simple: former hitman John Wick mourns the death of his wife and finds solace in a dog she left him. When Russian gangsters kill the dog and steal his car, John is drawn back into the criminal world from which he once withdrew. But what makes the movie special is not just the revenge story, but also the extremely well-choreographed action sequences and the unique worldbuilding.

The film presents a world in which contract killers follow a code determined by the mysterious "High Table". John Wick is not just an ordinary killer, but a living legend that everyone in this world knows and fears. The success of the first part was huge, and the franchise was born.

John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017): The world is getting bigger

With "John Wick: Chapter 2" from 2017, the franchise expanded its world considerably. In this sequel, John Wick is forced to fulfill a blood oath he once made to get out of the business. This brings him into conflict with international criminals and leads to a global cat-and-mouse game.

What makes the second film so special is the expansion of the universe. It delves deeper into the rules and structures of the hitman organization and introduces new characters such as the "Bowery King" (played by Laurence Fishburne), who will play a bigger role in the rest of the franchise. The action is even more intense than in the first part, and the choreography of the fight scenes sets new standards.

"John Wick: Chapter 2" not only expands the legend of John Wick, but also shows how far-reaching and complex the criminal world in these films is. The fact that a bounty is placed on John's head at the end of the movie sets the stage for what was to follow in Chapter 3.

John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (2019)

"John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum" starts exactly where the second part ended. John Wick is on the run after breaking the rules of the Continental Hotel by committing murder on sacred ground. With a bounty on his head and without the support of his old allies, John Wick must fight to survive.

In the third film, the action is once again taken to a new level. The choreography of the fight scenes, the variety of weapons and the constant new challenges that John Wick has to face make "Chapter 3" one of the most exciting action films of recent years. The title "Parabellum" refers to the Latin expression "Si vis pacem, para bellum" ("If you want peace, prepare for war") , which perfectly summarizes the entire plot of the film.

New characters such as Sofia (played by Halle Berry) and her dogs provide fresh, exciting elements, and the world of contract killers is once again expanded. The conflict between John Wick and the High Table reaches its climax, which keeps the tension going for another installment.

John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023): The big showdown

"John Wick: Chapter 4" continues the story of the deadly hitman. The movie is about John's ongoing attempt to escape the influence of the High Table. But the fourth part of the series goes beyond the simple revenge plot and focuses more intensively on the question of whether John can ever really find a way out of this violent world.

With spectacular action sequences set in Paris, Berlin and Osaka, among other places, "Chapter 4" offers impressive locations and a final confrontation that could free John Wick from his shackles once and for all. The film develops Wick's character further and shows that even he has reached the end of his tether.