Keanu Reeves-Led John Wick Game Announced at PlayStation Showcase

The acclaimed action film franchise, John Wick, is being adapted into a video game featuring the likeness and voice of its star, Keanu Reeves. Currently titled ‘Untitled John Wick Game’, this project is being developed by Saber Interactive, known for their work on Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, with contributions from the series’ director, Chad Stahelski.

A trailer showcasing the game, which is anticipated to serve as a prequel to the film series, premiered during Sony’s ‘State of Play’ event on Thursday. This showcase also highlighted several remakes of prominent game franchises, including the God of War trilogy and a special 30th anniversary edition of the classic platformer, Rayman.

The John Wick films have grossed over $1 billion globally, narrating the tale of a retired assassin, played by Reeves, who embarks on a quest for revenge. While the character has appeared in games before, this marks the first instance where Reeves lends his voice to the iconic role.

Reeves is no stranger to the gaming world, having previously portrayed Johnny Silverhand in the popular title Cyberpunk 2077. Matthew Karch, the CEO of Saber Interactive, expressed the team’s excitement to collaborate with both Stahelski and Reeves, aiming to bring the vibrant world of John Wick to life in an engaging game.

The narrative promises to be an original story designed specifically for an adult audience, featuring familiar characters from the franchise alongside new personalities. Jenefer Brown, president of global products at Lionsgate, the film’s producer, stated the aim is to encapsulate the films’ signature action and distinct fight choreography.

Responses from fans on social media have largely been optimistic regarding the announcement. However, some have raised concerns about the implications for Saber Interactive’s highly anticipated remake of the classic Star Wars game, Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR).

Christopher Dring, co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Game Business, remarked that the new project appears to be a strong alignment of genre, intellectual property, and developer expertise. He described Saber as a collective of studios adept at managing multiple IPs, allowing them to release various games annually across different genres.

In addition, Sony’s showcase revealed that Santa Monica Studios is working on remaking the first three God of War games, further enhancing one of PlayStation’s most lucrative franchises. While no specific release dates for these remakes were provided, the event unexpectedly announced the immediate release of Sons of Sparta, a side-scrolling 2D prequel.

Meanwhile, fans of the Silent Hill survival horror series received a first look at the latest installment, Townfall, set on the fictional St. Amelia, inspired by Scotland. Additionally, a 30th-anniversary collection of the platformer Rayman was announced, comprising five versions of the original 1995 game, with a release slated for soon.

Loic Gounon, brand producer for the games, shared that this collection will include a new documentary exploring the making of the first Rayman game, along with accessibility features aimed at enhancing the experience for contemporary players.

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