UPDATE: It is officially confirmed that Donnie Yen will not only star but will also direct and executive produce John Wick Chapter 4’s Caine spin-off film!
“From the moment Chad (Stahelski) and Donnie pitched the idea of a Donnie Yen-style action film in the mode of John Wick, I was all in,” Lionsgate’s Adam Fogelson said. “Donnie is not only an incredible, charismatic star, but a smart, cinematic director who knows how to deliver massively entertaining action for a global audience. We’re thrilled that he’s in the director’s chair to tell Caine’s story.”
“The ‘John Wick’ films have set an immensely high standard for action filmmaking and I greatly appreciate Lionsgate giving me the opportunity to further elevate the franchise. I am both thrilled and deeply inspired to make this happen,” said Yen.
Producer Chad Stahelski described the film as a “modern day kung-fu classic that explores the John Wick world.”
Stahelski added, “One of my favorite characters in the John Wick world is Caine. To have the chance to dive into his world and discover all his adventures excites us all. And who better to helm it than Donnie Yen himself. His understanding of the culture, the world, and, of course, the action, make him the perfect director for this project.”
The untitled spin-off is set to start production in Hong Kong later this year.
SOURCE: Variety
UPDATE: Not only is Donnie Yen returning to play Caine in the John Wick spin-off movie, he is also officially in talks to direct the project himself.
“I think both the fans, as well as the studio, want this to happen, and we’ll see. I don’t know. I can only tell you that much. But yes, we are talking, and we are talking intimately. We’ll see what happens,” Yen told Collider while promoting his latest actioner The Prosecutor.
Yen added, “But at the same time, I hold responsibility as well as a pressure that I don’t want to ruin the franchise. I try to do my best to bring something fresh to the franchise itself. I don’t want to bring down the expectations for the fans. I try to do my best, like always. I have to flesh it out. I have a couple of ideas in my mind of how I would like the story to go. But we’ll see. I don’t want to give away too much because I don’t know if I’m in that position to give that away. But they’ve been very persistent, and they’ve been very passionate about me taking on this project.”
SOURCE: Collider
Martial arts superstar Donnie Yen (Sakra) is set to return as fan-favorite blind assassin Caine in a John Wick: Chapter 4 spin-off movie!
From a script written by Robert Askins (The Umbrella Academy), the film will continue Caine’s story arc following the events of Chapter 4, as Caine has been freed from his obligations to the High Table.
Franchise producers Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee (John Wick: Chapters 1 through 4) are also set to return via Thunder Road alongside Chad Stahelski (John Wick: Chapters 3 & 4, Ballerina) through his 87Eleven Entertainment banner.
“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,” said Yen.
The spin-off will start shooting in Hong Kong next year.
Stay tuned!
SOURCE: Deadline
