AceShowbiz - Lionsgate thrilled audiences with a double dose of exciting news at CinemaCon on Tuesday, April 1: a fifth John Wick movie with Keanu Reeves and an animated prequel movie.

Reeves is set to reprise his role as the iconic assassin in "John Wick: Chapter 5" and lend his voice to the character in the animated film. This announcement has undoubtedly set the stage for a thrilling new era in the John Wick franchise.

For fans of the relentless assassin, the promise of more John Wick is a dream come true. Reeves, now 60, has committed to breathing life into the beloved character once more.

The sequel will be guided by the franchise's familiar faces: Thunder Road producers Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, along with director-producer Chad Stahelski and Reeves himself as a star-producer.

Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, highlighted the team's commitment to excellence. "Keanu, Chad, Basil and Erica would not return unless they had something truly phenomenal and fresh to say with these characters and this world. We can't wait for audiences to see where the journey takes us next," he remarked.

Meanwhile, the an animated prequel film will be directed by Shannon Tindle. This film will explore Wick's past, specifically focusing on "the Impossible Task" - a pivotal moment where he eliminates all his rivals in one night to gain freedom from the High Table and be with his love, Helen.

Chad Stahelski, who has always been fascinated by anime, believes that the animation format will allow for unprecedented storytelling potential. "I feel John Wick is the perfect property for this medium - anime holds the potential to expand our world, our characters, and our action in ways unimaginable before," says Stahelski.

The John Wick universe has already expanded beyond the original films, with new formats and stories continuing to captivate audiences. Ana de Armas stars in a spinoff titled "Ballerina," due in theaters this June, and a series, "The Continental," aired on Peacock in 2023.

There's also buzz about another series, "John Wick: Under the High Table," in development. On top of that a spinoff fronted and directed by Donnie Yen is in the works as well.

Reeves, despite hinting at his physical limitations in December 2024, has shown unwavering dedication to the franchise. "You can never say never - but my knees right now are saying, 'You can't do another John Wick,' " he joked to "CBS Mornings". Clearly, heart and passion still drive this beloved actor and his iconic character forward.