Caine

[GeneChing]

Caine

John Wick Spinoff Film Centered on Donnie Yen’s Caine Officially in the Works
Yen will be returning to reprise the role.
BY ALEX STEDMAN
UPDATED: MAY 15, 2024 1:40 PM
POSTED: MAY 15, 2024 10:00 AM

As the John Wick universe continues to grow, Lionsgate has added another project to its slate: a feature film focused on Donnie Yen’s Caine character from John Wick: Chapter 4.

Lionsgate announced the news today, adding that Yen will be returning to reprise the character. It’s set to begin production in Hong Kong next year, and is being written by Robert Askins, known for his work on Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy, AMC’s The Son, and his Tony-nominated play Hand to God.

Plot details are currently being kept under wraps, but the studio says the new movie “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.”

DONNIE YEN AS CAINE IN JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4. (IMAGE CREDIT: LIONSGATE)

The film is being developed as part of a recently announced deal with John Wick director Chad Stahelski that gives him creative oversight over the entire franchise. The Caine film will be shepherded by Stahelski and Wick producers Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee of production company Thunder Road.

“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,” said Adam Fogelson, chair, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group in the announcement. “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.”

"Caine is an incredible character with a haunted past, and I am excited to return to the role.
“
“Working on John Wick: Chapter 4 was an extraordinary experience,” added 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.”

The announcement doesn’t come as a huge shock given the way Lionsgate has continued to invest in the Wick franchise, and also Yen’s own stated desire to return to the character. Last March, Yen said in an interview that he would “love” to do a spinoff centered on Caine.

The next film in the John Wick universe, Ana de Armas’ Ballerina, will hit theaters on June 6, 2025. It’s also been confirmed that John Wick 5 is in the works, and Stahelski has teased both an anime and a TV show, separate from The Continental series that came out last September.

Alex Stedman is a Senior News Editor with IGN, overseeing entertainment reporting. When she’s not writing or editing, you can find her reading fantasy novels or playing Dungeons & Dragons.

This will need its own thread whenever they release a working title.

[GeneChing]

May 5, 2025 7:30am PT Rina Sawayama to Reprise Role as Akira in Donnie Yen’s ‘John Wick’ Spinoff ‘Caine,’ Lionsgate Launching Sales in Cannes (EXCLUSIVE)

By Alex Ritman

[IMG2=JSON]{“data-align”:“none”,“data-size”:“full”,“src”:“https://variety.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/SC3_2546.jpg?w=1000&h=667&crop=1”}[/IMG2] Stewart Cook/Getty Images for Lionsgate
Akira is coming back for more John Wick ass-kicking.

Rina Sawayama, who became a fan-favourite as the fearless daughter of Hiroyuki Sanada’s Shimazu Koji in “John Wick: Chapter 4,” will reprise her role opposite Donnie Yen in the franchise’s upcoming spinoff “Caine” for Lionsgate.

First officially unveiled at CinemaCon, “Caine” is also being directed by Yen, and produced by franchise producers Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee (“John Wick” chapters 1 through 4, “Ballerina,” “Monkey Man”) through their Thunder Road shingle and by Chad Stahelski (“John Wick: Chapter 3—Parabellum,” “Day Shift,” “John Wick: Chapter 4”), who produces through his 87Eleven Entertainment production banner. Yen will also serve as an executive producer on the project.

“Rina is such a badass,” said Stahelski. “I love what she did with this role in Chapter 4 and can’t wait to see her cross paths with Caine once again.”

Added Yen: “Most delighted to welcome Rina back into this new exciting journey with us. It will be my pleasure and attempt to elevate her amazing character that left us mesmerized from John Wick: Chapter 4!”

The film is being billed as an Hong Kong-style action thriller much like those that made Yen famous, with the latest screenplay written by Mattson Tomlin (the upcoming “The Batman Part II” and “BRZRKR”). The previous draft was written by Robert Askins.

While the logline is being kept under wraps, the new film will continue the story arcs following the events of “John Wick: Chapter 4,” as Caine has been freed from his obligations to the High Table.

The film is being developed through Stahelski’s deal with Lionsgate as he oversees the expansion of the John Wick universe.

“John Wick: Chapter 4 introduced us to so many compelling, original characters, including Akira. We’re beyond thrilled to have Rina coming back to the franchise—Caine and Akira have unfinished business, and this next chapter in their stories will be explosive,” said Adam Fogelson, chair of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group.

Added Iwanyk: “Rina will be a tremendous addition to this film, and we’re excited to be returning to Caine’s corner of the John Wick Universe as we start production soon.”

“Caine” marks the latest addition to the expanding John Wick universe, of which the first spinoff is “Ballerina,” starring Ana de Armas as an assassin trained in the traditions of the Ruska Roma. The film, directed by Len Wiseman, written by Shay Hatten, based on characters created by Derek Kolstad, and produced by Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, Chad Stahelski, will be released on June 6.

Lionsgate also recently announced that is is working on an animated John Wick film, to be directed by Shannon Tindle and written by Vanessa Taylor, and is in development on a fifth chapter in the John Wick story.

Sawayama is represented by Paradigm and Wasserman Music.

John Wick 5
Caine

​

[GeneChing]

> # Donnie Yen Wants His JOHN WICK Spin-Off to Be “The Most Definitive Martial Arts-Infused Action Film Ever Made”

Movie Donnie Yen John Wick Caine 13 Minutes Ago by Joey Paur

The John Wick universe isn’t slowing down anytime soon, and now it’s gearing up for something that could seriously raise the bar. Donnie Yen, who stole the show as Caine in John Wick: Chapter 4, is stepping into the spotlight again for a spin-off film that he’ll both star in and direct.

If his vision comes together the way he’s describing it, fans might be in for something next-level.

Yen isn’t just revisiting Caine for the sake of it. He’s clearly connected to the character in a deeper way, and that’s shaping how this new story will unfold. He explained exactly what drew him in, saying:

“What drew me to Caine is the contradiction. He carries love, responsibility, and sacrifice in a world built on consequence. That creates a very different kind of action hero,”

That idea sets this apart from your standard action flick. Caine isn’t just another unstoppable assassin, he’s a character weighed down by emotional stakes, and it sounds like Yen wants that to be front and center.

But let’s be real, this is still part of the John Wick franchise, so the action better hit hard. Luckily, Yen isn’t aiming small. He’s going all in on crafting something that stands out not just within the franchise, but across the entire genre. He shared his ambitions, saying:

"This film is an opportunity to push the genre forward. My goal is to create the most definitive martial arts-infused action film ever made, one that honors what audiences love about John Wick while bringing a new emotional depth and visual language to the story.

“As both director and actor, I’m excited to shape this chapter in a way that reflects everything I’ve learned over decades in action cinema, while building something that feels entirely new."

That’s a big swing, but if anyone can pull it off, it’s Yen. His career has been packed with iconic martial arts performances, and now he’s blending that experience with the slick action style that John Wick is known for.

There are a few more pieces of the puzzle already in place. The script comes from Mattson Tomlin, known for his work on The Batman: Part II, alongside Michael McGrale.

Rina Sawayama is also set to return as Akira. If you remember the post-credits scene from John Wick: Chapter 4, she was on a mission for revenge after Caine killed her father, so there’s already a built-in conflict that could explode in this spin-off.

Production is expected to kick off in April, which means things are moving pretty fast even if a release date hasn’t been locked in yet.

Between Yen’s creative control, the emotional angle of Caine’s story, and the promise of top-tier martial arts action, this spin-off is sure to be an incredibly badass martial arts action film.

Joey Paur

Co-Founder / Editor of GeekTyrant.com, and if you haven’t noticed I write… a lot. Movies are my passion and I live and breathe all things geek. This site is part of my life’s work, it’s a part of me. I love what I do, and I enjoy sharing everything I can with you when it comes to movies and geekery. In my spare time I travel to the netherworlds to battle demons. @JoeyPaur | joeypaur@geektyrant.com