Keanu Reeves is officially set to reprise his iconic role as the assassins’ hero in “John Wick 5,” as Lionsgate recently unveiled exciting news at CinemaCon this week. Along with this highly anticipated installment, the franchise is set to expand its universe with an animated prequel film and a standalone spinoff focusing on the character Caine, directed and starring the martial arts legend Donnie Yen.

These new projects come just ahead of the release of “Ballerina,” which stars Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro, a ballerina-turned-assassin. De Armas made a special appearance at the convention held in Las Vegas, providing an exhilarating sneak peek at the film. The footage showcased her character’s combat prowess, demonstrating her intense training in a gripping sequence where she expertly takes down multiple adversaries.

De Armas, known for her role in “No Time to Die,” shared that her preparation for “Ballerina” was intense, spending months training physically and honing her skills at shooting ranges. “For ‘Bond,’ I only had three weeks of training, but for ‘Ballerina,’ it was a whole new level," she remarked from the stage, emphasizing the physical challenges involved in her latest role.

Moreover, before stepping back into the universe of “John Wick 5,” Reeves will also make an appearance in “Ballerina,” collaborating once again with franchise director Chad Stahelski and producer Basil Iwanyk. While plot details for the fifth chapter remain under wraps, its predecessor has proven to be a box office phenomenon. Since its debut in 2014, the series has steadily grossed more with each sequel, culminating in 2023’s “John Wick: Chapter 4,” which raked in an impressive $440 million worldwide.

The new Caine spinoff promises to delve deeper into the character portrayed by Yen in “John Wick: Chapter 4.” As the director and executive producer of the upcoming film set to start production in Hong Kong, Yen aims to create a narrative that aligns perfectly with the high-octane style established by the franchise. Screenwriter Mattson Tomlin, known for his work on “The Batman Part II,” has joined the team, further heightening expectations for the project.

In addition to the live-action expansions, an animated prequel film aims to explore the backstory of John Wick himself. Crafted for a more mature audience, the animation seeks to tell the story of Wick’s “Impossible Task,” revealing the lengths he went to in order to free himself from the High Table and ultimately reunite with his love, Helen.

Directing the animated feature is Shannon Tindle, a seasoned animation talent, while Vanessa Taylor, acclaimed for her work on “Game of Thrones,” is penning the screenplay. Stahelski expressed his excitement about utilizing the anime medium to expand the narrative possibilities of the John Wick world, reflecting on how it could elevate the characters and action to unprecedented levels.

With these thrilling developments in the John Wick franchise, fans have much to anticipate, from explosive action sequences to intricate stories that deepen the lore. John Wick’s saga continues, and it seems there’s no end in sight to the adrenaline-fueled adventures that await! Stay tuned for more updates!