Donnie Yen as Caine in ‘John Wick: Chapter 4.’ Photo Credit: Murray Close.
Preview:
- Donnie Yen is starring in a ‘John Wick’ spin-off.
- His blind assassin character Caine is the focus.
- Robert Askins wrote the script.
When you have an internationally known and respected action star in the latest entry of your popular franchise, it stands to reason that, should his character pop, you might end up going the spin-off route.
Such is the case with martial arts icon Donnie Yen, who graced ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ last year as Caine, a highly skilled, blind assassin. Yen is now the focus of another ‘Wick’ spin-off.
What’s the story of Donnie Yen’s ‘John Wick’ spin-off?
(L to R) Keanu Reeves and Donnie Yen in ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’. Photo: Lionsgate.
Lionsgate has yet to confirm the specific storyline for the new movie, though we do know it’ll continue the arc established in ‘Chapter 4’, as Caine was freed from his obligations to the High Table, the organization that purports to control the activities of hitmen such as Keanu Reeves’ John Wick.
What we do know on the narrative front is that Robert Askins, a Tony-nominated playwright who has also worked on such series as ‘The Umbrella Academy’ and ‘The Son’, has been hired to write the script.
Here’s what Lionsgate’s Adam Fogelson had to say about the new development:
“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 inedible 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.”
And here’s what Yen himself said:
“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.”
Who else will appear in the ‘John Wick’ spin-off?
Donnie Yen in ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’. Photo: Lionsgate.
No other casting was confirmed by the studio, though given that Reeves is reprising his role as Wick (albeit more as a cameo) in one of the other movie spin-offs, ‘Ballerina’ (due in theaters on June 6th, 2025), there’s still a possibility he could pop up in Yen’s film.
And this marks just the latest expansion of the ‘John Wick’ universe launched by the 2014 original movie –– in addition to ‘Ballerina’, we’ve already had TV prequel ‘The Continental: From the World of John Wick’, which streamed on Peacock and charted the earlier days of the titular hotel.
Related Article: Donnie Yen to Lead an Adaptation of Classic TV Action Series ‘Kung Fu’
When will the Donnie Yen ‘John Wick’ spin-off be in theaters?
With the film currently scheduled to shoot in Hong Kong next year, we wouldn’t expect it to arrive before 2026.
Donnie Yen in ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’. Photo: Lionsgate.