The John Wick franchise is showing no signs of slowing down. What started as a simple revenge thriller has evolved into one of the most ambitious action universes in modern cinema. With John Wick: Chapter 4 earning over $440 million globally, Lionsgate has made it clear that the Baba Yaga’s story—and the world he inhabits—is far from over.
At CinemaCon 2025, the studio unveiled a slate of upcoming projects that will expand the John Wick universe in fresh and exciting directions. Among them are John Wick: Chapter 5, a spin-off centered on Donnie Yen’s blind assassin Caine, and an animated prequel exploring John’s infamous “Impossible Task.”
These projects promise to push the boundaries of action filmmaking, introducing new styles and storytelling approaches that will ensure John Wick remains at the forefront of the genre.
John Wick: Chapter 5—The Return of the Baba Yaga
After the seemingly definitive ending of John Wick: Chapter 4, many fans assumed Keanu Reeves had holstered his pistol for good. But at CinemaCon 2025, Lionsgate shocked audiences by confirming that John Wick: Chapter 5 is officially in development.
While details remain scarce, Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, reassured audiences that the sequel wouldn’t be made unless it had a compelling story to tell:
“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.”
While details remain under wraps, one thing is clear—the filmmakers are treating this sequel with the same level of care and dedication that has made the series a standout in the action genre. With each entry topping its predecessor in both box office earnings and critical reception, Chapter 5 has a lot to live up to.
Caine: A Love Letter to Hong Kong Action Cinema
Among the most anticipated projects in the John Wick expansion is Caine, a spin-off centered on Donnie Yen’s blind assassin from Chapter 4. Not only will Yen reprise his role, but he’ll also step behind the camera to direct.
This is a major departure for the John Wick franchise, as Caine will embrace the stylistic and narrative influences of classic Hong Kong action cinema—something that has defined Yen’s career for decades.
The Hong Kong Action Influence
Unlike the gun-fu-heavy choreography that has defined John Wick, Caine will lean into traditional martial arts combat, wire-fu elements, and intricate hand-to-hand sequences. The film will be an homage to the high-energy, acrobatic fight scenes that Hong Kong action cinema perfected in the ’80s and ’90s—films that made legends out of stars like Donnie Yen, Jet Li, and Jackie Chan.
“From the moment Chad and Donnie pitched the idea of a Donnie Yen-style action film in the mode of John Wick, I was all in,” said Fogelson. “Donnie is not only an incredible, charismatic star but a smart, cinematic director who knows how to deliver massively entertaining action for a global audience.”
A Modern-Day Kung Fu Classic
Chad Stahelski, the director of the John Wick films, emphasized how Caine will pay tribute to classic Hong Kong action films while also innovating within the John Wick universe:
“One of my favorite characters in the John Wick world is Caine. To have the chance to dive into his world and discover all his adventures excites us all. We envision a modern-day kung fu classic that explores the John Wick world, and who better to helm it than Donnie Yen himself?”
Stahelski’s love for martial arts and Hong Kong action films has been well documented, and with Yen directing and starring, Caine has the potential to be a genre-defining martial arts film.
What We Know About the Story
While the official logline remains under wraps, we do know that Caine will take place after the events of John Wick: Chapter 4, when Caine is finally free of the High Table’s control. However, the post-credits scene of Chapter 4 suggested that Akira (Rina Sawayama) is seeking revenge for the death of her father. Whether Caine will focus on this confrontation or explore an entirely new chapter in his life remains to be seen.
What’s certain is that Caine won’t just be another John Wick film—it will be a Hong Kong-inspired action epic that brings a fresh perspective to this universe.
John Wick’s Animated Prequel—Bringing the Impossible Task to Life
Another major announcement from CinemaCon 2025 was the animated John Wick prequel, which will finally show fans what they’ve only heard about—the legendary “Impossible Task.”
A Story Fans Have Been Dying to See
For years, the John Wick films have teased this mythical event. It’s the mission that allowed John to leave the assassin’s life behind and be with his wife, Helen. To complete it, he wiped out an entire criminal organization in a single night—a feat so unbelievable it cemented his legend.
Now, that story will finally be told in animation, with Shannon Tindle (Ultraman Rising, Kubo and the Two Strings) directing and Vanessa Taylor (Game of Thrones, The Shape of Water) writing the screenplay. Most excitingly, Keanu Reeves is confirmed to return as the voice of John Wick.
Anime Inspiration & Expanding the John Wick Universe
Unlike anything we’ve seen in the franchise so far, the animated prequel will take heavy inspiration from anime.
“I’ve always been fascinated with anime. It has always been a huge influence on me, especially with the John Wick series,” said Stahelski. “To have the opportunity to develop a John Wick anime seems to be the perfect progression for this world.”
Anime is known for pushing the limits of visual storytelling, which means the action sequences in this prequel could be the most stylized and breathtaking in the franchise’s history. Imagine John Wick through the lens of films like Ghost in the Shell, Akira, or the kinetic energy of a Studio Trigger production—this medium allows for limitless creativity.
What We Can Expect
Given the animation team’s pedigree, we can expect stunning visuals, fluid fight sequences, and a deeper dive into John’s emotional journey. The John Wick films have always emphasized the cost of violence, and this prequel will likely explore the psychological toll the “Impossible Task” took on John before Chapter 1 began.
Fogelson hinted at this when discussing the project:
“In both animation and the world of John Wick, the possibilities are endless. And there is no John Wick story fans are clamoring for more than the Impossible Task. Shannon’s take on that story is incredible, and we are beyond excited to see what John Wick can do in animation.”
With animation removing the constraints of live-action stunt work, expect to see John Wick unleashed in ways we’ve never witnessed before.
The Future of the John Wick Universe
Between John Wick: Chapter 5, Caine, and the animated prequel, the John Wick universe is expanding in thrilling new directions. Instead of merely repeating what’s worked before, each of these projects offers a unique lens into the world of assassins, each with its own distinct style and storytelling approach.
With Ballerina, starring Ana de Armas, set to hit theaters soon, the John Wick franchise is proving to be one of the most creatively ambitious action sagas of all time. If these announcements are any indication, the Baba Yaga’s legend is only just beginning.