In Brief
- Keanu Reeves will voice John Wick for the first time in a prequel videogame.
- Saber Interactive, known for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, is developing the mature-rated game.
- The original story will feature both familiar faces and new characters from the John Wick universe.
The John Wick film franchise is expanding into the world of video games. Saber Interactive, the studio behind Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, is creating the currently unnamed John Wick game. In a first for the franchise, Keanu Reeves will not only lend his likeness to the project but also his voice, bringing the iconic assassin to life in a game for the first time.
Announcement
The announcement was made during PlayStation’s State of Play showcase, alongside several other exciting game developments. A prequel is expected, with input from Chad Stahelski, director of the John Wick film series.
This isn’t the first time John Wick has appeared in games, but it marks the first instance of Reeves providing vocal performance for the character. Reeves is no stranger to gaming, having previously starred as Johnny Silverhand in Cyberpunk 2077. Matthew Karch, CEO of Saber Interactive, told the BBC that he is thrilled about the project and that the team is honored to bring the John Wick universe to life in a blockbuster gaming experience.
Original Story
The game’s narrative will be entirely new and geared towards mature audiences. Both known characters from the John Wick films and new faces will appear. Lionsgate, the studio behind the franchise, hopes the game will capture the same spectacular action sequences and fight choreography that have made the films so popular. The move underscores the growing trend of transmedia storytelling, extending popular franchises across multiple platforms.
Fan reaction to the announcement has been largely positive. Some have expressed concerns about the project potentially impacting Saber Interactive’s development of the long-awaited remake of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Christopher Dring, editor-in-chief of The Game Business, called the project a good fit for the genre and the developer, noting that Saber Interactive is capable of delivering multiple games across various genres each year.
Watch the trailer here:
