Production Starts on John Wick Spinoff Featuring Blind Assassin Caine, Directed by Donnie Yen
Production Set to Begin on Lionsgate’s New John Wick Spinoff Featuring Donnie Yen
Lionsgate’s upcoming spinoff from the famed John Wick franchise, tentatively titled the Caine project, is set to start production next month. Donnie Yen will direct and reprise his role as the titular blind assassin.
Announced at CinemaCon last spring, the film will explore Caine’s narrative following the events of 2023’s John Wick: Chapter 4, where he is freed from his commitments to The High Table. The screenplay, penned by Mattson Tomlin—who has credits including the highly anticipated The Batman Part II and an adaptation of the comic book BRZRKR—will also see Michael McGrale contributing as co-writer.
Rina Sawayama, acclaimed for her role as Akira in the John Wick series, is confirmed to return alongside Yen.
The production team includes distinguished John Wick producers Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, who have worked on all previous installments of the franchise. Additionally, Chad Stahelski, the director of several John Wick films, will produce through his 87Eleven Entertainment banner, with both Keanu Reeves and John Saunders also attached as producers. Yen is set to serve as an executive producer.
Yen, who was born in Guangzhou and raised in Boston, is celebrated for his work in action cinema, with notable films such as Ip Man, Flash Point, and Hero. His expertise in stunt choreography will be a key element in Caine. He has previously directed films like Legend of the Wolf and Sakra, with the latter achieving critical acclaim and a 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Yen has successfully penetrated the global market with blockbusters including Star Wars: Rogue One and the Disney adaptation of Mulan, as well as the blockbuster John Wick: Chapter 4, which grossed over $447 million.
Adam Fogelson, Chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, commented on the project, stating, “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 expressed his own enthusiasm for the role, stating, “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 added, “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.”
