Donnie Yen to Direct and Star! Rina Sawayama to Return for John Wick Spin-off Film!!
Although John Wick seemingly died in John Wick: Chapter 4, it hasn't stopped the studio from continuing to expand the film series.
Variety exclusively reported earlier this week that Rina Sawayama, who starred in John Wick: Chapter 4, will return to star in the Caine spin-off film. The movie will be directed by and star Donnie Yen, with Robert Askins (The Umbrella Academy,) and Mattson Tomlin (the upcoming sequel to The Batman,) both involved in the screenplay. The film is expected to begin shooting in Hong Kong this year and is described as a Hong Kong-style action thriller.
In John Wick: Chapter 4, Donnie Yen played the blind assassin Caine, who had originally retired but was forced to hunt down his old friend John Wick (Keanu Reeves) because his daughter's life was threatened. Later, John Wick fled to the Osaka Continental in Japan, protected by his old friend Shimazu Koji (Hiroyuki Sanada). Later, Caine killed Shimazu Koji in front of his daughter Shimazu Akira (Rina Sawayama). At the end of the film, thanks to John Wick's sacrifice, Caine completed his obligation with the High Table, finally reuniting with his daughter, while Shimazu Akira (Rina Sawayama) approached him with a knife, suggesting that this "Caine" spin-off will revolve around Shimazu Akira's revenge.
At CinemaCon last month, Lionsgate also announced the development of an animated prequel film for the John Wick series. The film will be directed by Shannon Tindle (Ultraman: Rising) with a screenplay by Vanessa Taylor (Academy Award-winning film The Shape of Water.) Keanu Reeves is expected to return to voice John Wick. The story takes place before the first film, depicting John Wick killing all his enemies in one night to fulfill his obligation with the High Table, finally allowing him to retire with his beloved Helen. At the same time, Lionsgate also confirmed the development of John Wick: Chapter 5, with director Chad Stahelski returning to helm the project and Keanu Reeves continuing to star. Recently, the director revealed in an interview with Empire that this film will not continue the High Table storyline from the previous installments, and that John Wick has overcome his past grief, making it a very different and entirely new story.
The first spin-off film from the John Wick series, From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, is set to be released next month. The film takes place during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum and it follows Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas) who is beginning her training in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma. In addition to Keanu Reeves, Anjelica Huston, Ian McShane, and the late Lance Reddick, who tragically passed away two years ago, will also return. Gabriel Byrne (Hereditary) and Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead franchise) also star, with the former playing the villain.
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Photo: John Wick