The John Wick world is about to get a killer anime prequel, and Chad Stahelski is totally geeking out over it. With fans buzzing about the project, the John Wick mastermind told Collider in an exclusive chat that he’s channeling Shinichiro Watanabe, the anime legend behind Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, to bring this to life. Hot off working with Watanabe on Adult Swim’s Lazarus, Stahelski’s ready to mix his slick action style with Watanabe’s epic vibes for a John Wick anime that’s gonna blow minds. Here’s the scoop on what’s coming and why Watanabe’s influence is such a big deal.
John Wick’s Anime Adventure Takes Shape
John Wick has been winning fans since 2014 with Keanu Reeves as the badass Baba Yaga, and now it’s leveling up with an anime prequel film. During the John Wick 10th anniversary that the project’s deep in development, with Reeves back to voice John. It’ll dig into the “impossible task” that let Wick retire before the first movie—think high-stakes hitman chaos. “We’re having a blast in the Wick sandbox”.
Not much else has leaked, but this anime’s set to crank the action to eleven, thanks to animation’s no-limits playground. Stahelski, teaming up with director Shannon Tindle (Kubo and the Two Strings), says animation lets them “go wild and get nutty” in ways live-action can’t. With Lionsgate hyping it and Stahelski steering the ship, this could be John Wick like you’ve never seen.
Why Shinichiro Watanabe’s a Game-Changer
Stahelski’s an anime nerd through and through, and Watanabe’s his hero. Chatting with Collider about Lazarus, he admitted he’s “pretty much memorized Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo,” obsessed with Watanabe’s mix of slick fights, deep feels, and killer music. “Anime’s just so freaking cool,” Stahelski gushed, half-joking he’d ditch live-action if he could draw like Watanabe.
That love’s been shaping his work forever. John Wick: Chapter 4 had a big anime vibe, inspired by Watanabe’s knack for blending heart and chaos. Things got real when they teamed up on Lazarus, a sci-fi anime about agents hunting a rogue scientist. Stahelski’s 87Eleven crew shot live-action fight scenes to guide Watanabe’s animators, creating action that pops with John Wick energy. “We’re just adding a little spice to what animators do”.
Watanabe, who’s into John Wick, raved to Collider about Stahelski’s help, saying his choreography clips were “gold” for Lazarus’ action. “Chad’s vibe is all over it,” Watanabe said, even in scenes Stahelski didn’t touch. That kind of chemistry has fans pumped for a John Wick anime with Watanabe’s flair—think slick sword fights, moody neon nights, and maybe a hint of Cowboy Bebop’s soulful swagger.
Why John Wick and Anime Are a Perfect Match
Let’s be real: John Wick already feels like an anime, with its wild underworld, bulletproof suits, and mythic vibe. Stahelski called it a “modern fantasy” like Lord of the Rings, and animation’s about to take it next-level. “You can have characters flying across cities in anime” stoked about ditching real-world rules.
The anime’s diving into Wick’s “impossible task”—maybe taking out a crime boss’s crew in one night—and animation’s perfect for that kind of insanity. Stahelski’s no newbie to anime, having worked on Lazarus and Ninja Kamui with his 87Eleven team. Pair that with Tindle’s animation skills, and we might get fights as iconic as Cowboy Bebop’s Spike Spiegel throwing down.
Stahelski’s Anime Dreams Are Just Getting Started
Stahelski’s got big anime goals. he’s jealous of animators who build whole worlds from scratch, unlike his live-action gigs where “I had to drag my butt to Paris” for John Wick’s look. “I’d kill to just do anime action all day,” he said, laughing about his shaky drawing skills but dead serious about working with Japanese studios.
The John Wick anime’s part of a bigger plan, with a TV show, Under the High Table, and a Donnie Yen spinoff movie in the works. A John Wick 5 could happen, but Stahelski’s all about these new stories. With Reeves’ voice and Stahelski’s passion, the anime’s shaping up to keep the John Wick fire burning while trying something fresh.
What’s Coming for the Anime Baba Yaga?
No release date yet, but the John Wick anime’s moving fast with Stahelski and Reeves locked in. Word is Lionsgate might team up with a heavy-hitter Japanese studio like Madhouse or Production I.G., and fans are losing it over the idea of John Wick with Cowboy Bebop energy. Social media’s buzzing with hype for Watanabe-style visuals and epic fights.
With Stahelski pouring Watanabe’s magic into the mix, this John Wick anime could be a total game-changer, blending non-stop action with anime’s heart and style. Will it deliver? For now, get ready for John Wick to carve up the anime world.
Source: Collider
