The John Wick Universe grows ever wider. Following the release of explosive quadrilogy closer John Wick: Chapter 4, last September fans were invited to check in to The Continental on Prime Video. And, in just a few short weeks, we’ll be seeing Ana de Armas bring a whole new meaning to bullet ballet in spin-off movie Ballerina. But Lionsgate aren’t done there. Per The Hollywood Reporter, Donnie Yen is set to reprise his role as blind assassin Caine in an upcoming standalone spin-off all of his own.
When last we saw Caine, the assassin — fresh from his (seemingly fatal) duel with Keanu Reeves' Wick — was being approached by a blade-wielding Akira (Rina Sawayama) on the streets of Paris. Presumably he makes it out alive though, as the studio has revealed this film “will continue Yen’s story arc following the events of John Wick: Chapter 4, as Caine has been freed from his obligations to the High Table." Further plot details remain firmly under wraps for now, but we do know the movie is circling a 2025 shoot in Hong Kong, and that The Umbrella Academy scribe Robert Askins is on board to write.
In a statement accompanying the film’s announcement, Yen waxed lyrical about his experiences working on Wick so far and getting to play Caine. “Working on John Wick: Chapter 4 was an extraordinary experience,” said Yen. “The reason these films resonate so deeply is because, like myself, Chad, Basil and Erica push themselves to create action, fights and stunts that are not only thrilling, inventive and artistic, but also expressive of character, story and emotion. Caine is an incredible character with a haunted past, and I am excited to return to the role.”
Adds Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelman: “From the moment Donnie Yen appeared on screen in John Wick: Chapter 4, he captivated audiences and created an authentic, emotional connection that left an indelible mark and had fans asking for more. The John Wick universe that Chad, Basil, Erica, and Keanu have built offers a tapestry of fascinating characters brought to life by the most extraordinary performers, and we’re excited to have one of the world’s biggest superstars on board to continue this journey.”
The announcement of Yen’s solo movie follows recent news that Chad Stahelski has inked a deal with Lionsgate to assume full creative control over all future Wick projects — and any spin-offs or sequels to his upcoming Henry Cavill Highlander reboot, too. We don’t yet know when exactly the Caine spin-off will be hitting our screens, but one things for sure: something Wick-ed this way comes.