There’s never been a better time to be aJohn Wickfan, as the universe just can’t seem to help but continue to expand on the characters and their stories. This time,Donnie Yen will return to the franchise after appearing inJohn Wick: Chapter 4as Caine, the blind assassin tasked with wiping theBaba Yagaoff the face of the planet. Lionsgate reveals that the production is in its very early stages, but that production for the film is setting its eyes on next year in Hong Kong, meaning that we can hopefully expect to see it flying-side-kick its way onto screens perhaps sometime in 2026. While there are plenty of places to take the story of the popular assassin, the studio is keeping most of the details very hush, hush. As of right now, all we know is that Caine’s story will pick up following the end credits ofJohn Wick: Chapter 4as he’s now a free agent and no longer under the High Table’s command.
This marks the second feature-length spin-off to stem from the exciting world first created byDerek Kolstadand made famous by the original 2014 movie,John Wick, which introduced the world to the titular assassin played byKeanu Reeves. Before Yen’s character sees his singular day on the screen, audiences will be treated toBallerina, a movie that will starAna de Armasas the ballerina-turned-killer who is out for revenge on the villains who killed her family. The two off-shoot films will fit into the universe in very different ways, withBallerinataking place between the third and fourthJohn Wickmovies and the Caine-centered flick acting as the next chapter following the cliff-hanging moments ofJohn Wick: Chapter 4.
As for the freshly announced Yen-starrer, the movie comes shortly after it was revealed that the director of the first threeWickfilms,Chad Stahelski, will serve as the overseer of the assassin’s universe. Other names associated with the franchise, includingBasil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, who, under their Thunder Road banner, served as producers for all fourWickmovies andBallerina, will join the production team along with Stahelski through his 87Eleven Entertainment. The news may come as a shock to some who thought that spin-offs in theWickworld were being put on hold following the lackluster arrival of the franchise’s first TV show,The Continental, as well asthe revamp that has facedBallerina. But, the Caine-centered movie announcement just proves that there’s still plenty of life left in this film universe after all.
What Else Does Donnie Yen Have Coming Out?
Never one to take a beat, Yen has his hands in numerous other projects both in front of and behind the camera. Yesterday, we showed our readersa lineup of posters hanging in the hallways at the Cannes Film Festivaland three of them involved Yen in major capacities. The actor will be back in fighting trim for the upcoming film,Ip Man 5, which he’ll both direct and star in. He’ll also appear in the action flicks,The ProsecutorandFlash Point Resurgence. And guess what? He’s directing both of those as well which means it will be a very busy few years for the martial arts icon.
To celebrate the announcement of his latest project with Lionsgate, Yen said,
“Working on John Wick: Chapter 4 was an extraordinary experience. 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.”
Stay tuned to Collider for more updates about this exciting Yen-ledJohn Wickspin-off. In the meantime, you’re able to streamJohn Wick: Chapter 4on Starz.
John Wick: Chapter 4
With the price on his head ever increasing, legendary hit man John Wick takes his fight against the High Table global as he seeks out the most powerful players in the underworld, from New York to Paris to Japan to Berlin.
Watch On Starz
