Martial arts star Donnie Yen (Polar Rescue, Sakra, Chasing the Dragon) will reprise his role as Caine – the blind assassin from 2023’s John Wick: Chapter 4 – in a standalone John Wick spin-off movie, which will take place after the events after Chapter 4.
But wait, there’s more…
While recently promoting his latest, The Prosecutor, Yen revealed there was a strong possibility he’d direct the John Wick spin-off himself, adding: “But at the same time, I hold responsibility as well as a pressure that I don’t want to ruin the franchise,” Yen told Collider.
In Hong Kong, Yen is no stranger to directing. He’s helmed 1997’s Legend of the Wolf, 1998’s Ballistic Kiss and Shanghai Affairs, Protege de la Rose Noire in 2004, and his most recent, The Prosecutor, which he co-directed with Ho Pong Mak (Breakout Brothers). If Yen ends up directing the John Wick spin-off, it’ll be his first time directing a Hollywood feature.
Although plot details are being kept secret, the untitled Caine film will be written by Tony-nominated writer Robert Askins (Hand to God, The Umbrella Academy).
According to Deadline, the new film was developed as part of Chad Stahelski’s recently announced deal with Lionsgate to oversee the expansion of the John Wick universe and will be shepherded by franchise producers Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee (John Wick: Chapters 1 through 4) for Thunder Road and Stahelski (John Wick: Chapters 3 & 4, Ballerina) through his 87Eleven Entertainment banner.
The John Wick spin-off begins production in Hong Kong this year. We’ll keep you updated as we learn more.
This makes the most sense. Wick’s story is concluded, (for now) and Caine’s was left open ended. Considering that Donnie’s other US projects aren’t getting off the ground yet, it’s good if he jumps right into this one.
He still has Flashpoint 2 and Ipman 5 to do. Heard he is planning on directing both movies. That will be two years of his life. Don’t know where he will find the time. He is still editing The Prosecutor and there is the Kung Fu the movie.
I think it’s probably safe to say that if a Hollywood starring role (not to mention the pay cheque!) comes along, ‘Flashpoint 2’ and ‘Ip Man 5’ will be put on the back burner.
And who can blame him if that happens? Lots of people would do the same if they were in his shoes.
He get pay big money for Ipman 5 at least 8 to 10 million dollars, and the contract is already signed. Even if he does John Wick spin-off, he not getting pay much. Since this is his first Hollywood starring role, the budget for the movie is 25 to 30 million max, his pay most likely 3 to 4 million like Jet li got in the old days. The first John Wick was made for something like 15 to 25 million dollars.
I’m really not 100% sure the pay for a Caine movie would be as big as what he would touch to make an Ip Man 5.
P.S.: Please stop this “universe silliness”!
Ip Man 5 will be horrible and lean further into Westerners are POS and evil that started with Ip Man 4, also not sure i want to see Donnie as a force ghost inspiring Skywalker Bruce.
Caine was ok but they need to do a Daredevil crossover where they cross swords/Streams. it could be a romcom triangle with elektra
It’s kind of a shame it’s taken this long for Donnie Yen to get a starring role in a Hollywood movie. Isn’t Donnie around 50 years old now? I’m not saying he can’t still bust a bad ass move when he needs to but he’s obviously way past his youthful prime. Of course, I’ll still support this film, but Donnie should have gotten this kind of opportunity at least 10 years ago!
Donnie’s around 60 now I think. His big Hollywood break could/should have happened 20 years ago around the time of Blade 2 and Shanghai Knights. But I’m kinda glad it didn’t happen or else we might not have had Yen’s imperial phase from 2005-2015 where every other movie was a genre classic.
Yeah Yen will be 62 this year. I think if this goes ahead we’ll likely see a more Zatoichi-esque chambara style of choreography that leans into swift and precise movements over the physically demanding style of action traditionally associated with HK choreography. Not a bad thing, although I definitely don’t think the character of Caine was his finest moment, how about a Hollywood spin-off based on his character in ‘xXx: Return of Xander Cage’ instead? 😛
Its not that long ago but I totally forgot Yen went to Hollywood and starred in Rogue One,XXX3 and Crouching Tiger 2. He was so embarrassingly bad in the latter, that when he went 110% chiu Chow in Chasing the dragon it was actually considered a subtle and understated powerful performance.
I’m not a big fan of John Wick 4 which comes across as a parody of itself (unintentionally?). Scott Adkins in a fat suit sums up the tone of this unnecessary entry in the franchise. I don’t remember much about xXx3, but in this spin off, Donnie will have to catch some rare disease so that he can once again play a blind character. Its a requirement that he only plays blind badasses from now on in Hollywood.
But if we’re talking about sequels I’m still waiting for Mismatched Couples 2. This year its the 40th anniversary of this seminal masterpiece that is screaming for a follow up
I would like to see more of a Chambara style from Yen in Caine. (Whatever it will be called) The film can be creative in how it showcases him without giving him too much to handle.
Donnie was good in XXX 3, and I thought he stole the show from Vin Diesel. Not just in action, but he was a fun loving cool character and he got to be the one who killed the villain and save the world.
I’m looking forward to getting to know more about Caine in this future movie.