John Wick: Keanu Reeves’ Gun-Fu Franchise Adds Donnie Yen Spin-Off That Sounds Much Better Than Milking for a 5th Sequel
The fan-favorite John Wick universe is about to get more from it as Lionsgate sets to expand the franchise with a spinoff around Donnie Yen’s character, Caine. This strategic move comes after Yen’s performance in John Wick: Chapter 4 was thoroughly enjoyed by the viewers.
In the movie, Yen’s character as Caine, who is John Wick’s ally at the beginning and later becomes his enemy, shows Yen’s mastery of action as well as emotional acting. He subtly combined raw physicality with subtle character development in a manner that was authentic to his audience, which made the movie more than just an action thriller.
Yen’s global stardom, fueled by his iconic Ip Man series and Hollywood blockbusters like Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, XXX: Return of Xander Cage, and others, has contributed to the filmmaker’s choice of this spin-off for production.
What Can We Expect From the Donnie Yen-Starrer John Wick Spinoff?
As the John Wick universe continues to evolve, the Caine spinoff promises to dive deeper into the character’s rich backstory and emotional arc. According to Variety, Lionsgate has revealed that the spinoff will continue after John Wick: Chapter 4‘s story. Lionsgate stated,
“(The film will) continue Yen’s story arc following the events of ‘John Wick: Chapter 4,’ as Caine has been freed from his obligations to the High Table.”
The critically acclaimed Robert Askins is writing the screenplay for the movie, and production is supposed to start next year. Chad Stahelski will be directing the film. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Donnie Yen considered working in John Wick: Chapter 4 an extraordinary experience. He said,
“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.”
Also read: ‘John Wick 4’ Actor Donnie Yen’s 1 Rare Talent Could Give Quentin Tarantino a Run For His Money
Viewers can expect a deeper dive into Caine’s haunted history, what drives him, and the emotions behind his actions as Donnie Yen reprises the role once again. The title of the film has not been revealed yet.
Will John Wick: Chapter 5 Ever Happen?
While the new spinoff provides the Caine universe with a new opening, the intention of John Wick 5 remains unclear. As John Wick: Chapter 4 grossed over $400 million worldwide (according to Box Office Mojo), fans are naturally curious to find out the future of John Wick and if Keanu Reeves will play this role once again.
Director Chad Stahelski takes a balanced approach to responding to these speculations. Although the studio is a little bit too eager to exploit the existing popularity of the series, Stahelski has always been very particular about the plotlines that justify a sequel.
While speaking to Inverse, Stahelski said,
“I have notebooks and notebooks of sh*t behind me, John Wick 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. We have ideas for days. We just don’t have the story locked. I have no interest in doing the cash grab of bringing John Wick back for something.”
“Keanu would do one again in a second if we had a good story. We leave that open-ended. I know that the studio would love us to say we have another one.”
Also read: Devastating News for John Wick Fans Waiting to See Ana de Armas in Ballerina Spinoff
Stahelski’s statement, along with Reeves’ agreement to reprise the role if the script is interesting, definitely keeps the hopes alive in fans. As the franchise develops over time, the spinoff movie offers a fresh new experience that could carry the plot further. However, the first John Wick spinoff, John Wick Presents: Ballerina, starring Ana de Armas, will be released in 2025.
