Donnie Yen returns to the world by “John Wick”, this time with some additional responsibility.
Martial arts legend will start as Caine, the blind killer from “John Wick: Chapter 4”, in a new Spinoff film for Lionsgate. Yen will also direct the film, which will start production in Hong Kong later this year. The announcement was made as part of Lionsgates Cinemacon presentation.
Like all other payments in the ever-growing “John Wick” franchise, the Caine movie will be produced by Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee through their Thunder Road banner and by series director Chad Stahelski, which produces through his 87even entertainment production company. Yen will also serve as an executive producer.
The film’s log line is held under cover, probably in a locked box on the continental.
Mattson Tomlin has also joined the project to write the film; An earlier draft was written by Robert smaskins. Tomlin previously worked at Matt Reeves “The Batman” and is a co -author on the script for “The Batman: Part II.” He is very familiar with Keanu Reeve’s world, as he works with the adaptation of Reeve’s comic book “Brzrkr.”
According to Lionsgate, the Caine spinoff “stylistically modeled on the uniquely designed action films that Yen helped make famous, while developing through Chad Stahelski’s business with Lionsgate as he monitors the extension of” John Wick ” -Universet.”
“From the moment that Chad and Donnie opened the idea of a Donnie Yen-style action movie in John Wick mode, I was all in,” said Adam Fogelson, chairman of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. “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 are pleased that he is in the director’s chairman to tell Caines history.”
“The” John Wick “films have set an extremely high standard for action film creation and I very much appreciate Lionsgate that gives me the opportunity to raise the franchise,” Yen said of the project. “I am both happy and deeply inspired to make this happen.”
Stahelski added, “One of my favorite characters in John Wick World is Caine. Having the chance to dive into his world and discovering all his adventures attracts us all. We imagine a modern Kung-Fu classic that explores the John Wick world, and who is better to help not help.
Yen’s contribution to international film cannot be overestimated. He is perhaps best known for portraying IP-Man, the real figure who was a wing Chun Grandmaster (and teacher to Bruce Lee), in four films of the same name. He played the lead role as the bad guy in “Once Upon a Time in China II” opposite Jet Li and has served as director, action director and martial art choreographer on countless films.
Western audience will probably know him from supporting roles in “Blade II”, “Shanghai Knights”, “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” and Live-Action “Mulan.”
The Caine movie joins the ever -growing guard list for “John Wick” -related films. The next movie in the franchise is “Ballerina”, with Ana de Armas, which opens on June 6, 2025.
