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John Wick director Chad Stahelski wants to switch careers and work in anime full-time

John Wick director Chad Stahelski wants to switch careers and work in anime full-time

TOI Entertainment Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Apr 10, 2025, 14:36 IST

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John Wick director Chad Stahelski expresses a strong desire to transition from live-action films to anime, citing its limitless creative potential. He admires creators like Watanabe and has already contributed to anime projects like Lazarus and Ninja Kamui. Stahelski is producing an upcoming John Wick animated prequel and hopes to dedicate himself to anime work full-time in the future.

John Wick director Chad Stahelski wants to switch careers and work in anime full-time

Chad Stahelski, the director behind the John Wick movies, has shared something surprising. If he had the chance, he would stop making live-action films and work in anime instead. That’s right—he loves anime so much that he’d leave Hollywood for it.
In a recent interview, Stahelski said he has always been a big anime fan. He even said, “If I could draw like Watanabe-san, I’d never leave my room. I would just sit and draw all day.�?Watanabe is the famous anime creator behind legendary shows like Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo—two series Stahelski says he knows by heart.
Stahelski has already worked on anime shows like Lazarus and Ninja Kamui by helping with their action scenes. He’s also producing an upcoming John Wick animated prequel movie. His goal now? To do even more anime work in the future.

Chad Stahelski thinks anime has no limits

Stahelski says anime allows creators to do things that live-action films can’t. In real life, a punch might send someone a few feet away. But in anime, they can fly across a whole street. That’s what he finds exciting.
He explained how his team helped create scenes for Lazarus. They filmed real-life action and sent it to the anime team in Japan. The animators then added their own magic to make it even more exciting. Stahelski said he loves how anime gives you total freedom—no camera limits, no real-world rules. You can make anything happen.

Chad Stahelski is producing a John Wick animated movie

Lionsgate has announced a new John Wick animated movie. It will tell the story of how John Wick first left the High Table. This movie will be for adult viewers and Keanu Reeves will return to voice the character.
Stahelski is producing this film and says it's just the beginning. He wants to do more work in anime. “If I could get away with it, I’d work in anime full-time,�?he said. He hopes more studios will call him soon.

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TOI Entertainment Desk

The TOI Entertainment Desk is a dynamic and dedicated team of journalists, working tirelessly to bring the pulse of the entertainment world straight to the readers of The Times of India. No red carpet goes unrolled, no stage goes dark - our team spans the globe, bringing you the latest scoops and insider insights from Bollywood to Hollywood, and every entertainment hotspot in between. We don't just report; we tell tales of stardom and stories untold. Whether it's the rise of a new sensation or the seasoned journey of an industry veteran, the TOI Entertainment Desk is your front-row seat to the fascinating narratives that shape the entertainment landscape. Beyond the breaking news, we present a celebration of culture. We explore the intersections of entertainment with society, politics, and everyday life.

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