Lionsgate’s John Wick universe is expanding again — this time with Caine, a spinoff centered on Donnie Yen’s fan-favorite blind assassin from John Wick: Chapter 4. The untitled project, with Yen both directing and reprising his role, is set to begin production next month.
Announced at CinemaCon last spring, the film picks up after the events of Chapter 4, following Caine as he navigates a life freed from his obligations to The High Table. The screenplay is written by Mattson Tomlin — known for The Batman Part II and the adaptation of Keanu Reeves’ comic BRZRKR — with Michael McGrale co-writing.
Also returning to the Wick world is Rina Sawayama, who will reprise her role as Akira opposite Yen.
Behind the scenes, longtime John Wick producers Thunder Road are back, including Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, alongside franchise director Chad Stahelski producing through his 87Eleven Entertainment banner. Keanu Reeves and John Saunders are also set to produce, with Yen serving as executive producer.
A native of Guangzhou and raised in Boston, Yen has long been celebrated for blending fluid martial arts choreography with emotive storytelling — seen in titles such as Ip Man, Flash Point, and Hero. His more recent directing credits include Sakra (2023) and The Prosecutor (2024), the latter of which earned a 94% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Read more: Keanu Reeves Returns To ‘John Wick’ Franchise – This Time In A Playstation Game
Beyond Asia, Yen’s impact on global cinema has spanned billion-dollar hits including Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, xXx: Return of Xander Cage, Mulan, and John Wick: Chapter 4, which grossed over $447 million worldwide.
Adam Fogelson, Chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, said,
“It became clear after John Wick: Chapter 4 that fans were particularly intrigued by Caine, which made his story the most natural next chapter of the franchise. It’s truly exciting to be embarking on a strategic partnership with Donnie—he has the vision to bring to life this extension of the John Wick universe in a way that’s authentic to his own signature style, flair, and expertise as a filmmaker.”
Yen added,
“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.”
He continued,
“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.”
