The upcoming spin-off in the John Wick franchise, titled Caine, is set to bring back a fan-favorite character, as announced in May 2024. Donnie Yen will reprise his role as the blind assassin from John Wick: Chapter 4, and in a unique twist, he will also serve as an executive producer and director for this exciting new project.
Yen will be joined by Rina Sawayama, who will return as Shimazu Akira, a character she portrayed in John Wick: Chapter 4. The anticipation surrounding the film isn't entirely unexpected, given that a post-credits scene from the previous installment featured Akira confronting Caine in Paris. "Most delighted to welcome Rina back into this new exciting journey with us," Yen expressed. "It will be my pleasure and attempt to elevate her amazing character that left us mesmerised from John Wick: Chapter 4!"
Chad Stahelski, the director of the John Wick series, who is also producing Caine, praised Sawayama’s performance, stating, "Rina is such a badass. I love what she did with this role in Chapter 4 and can’t wait to see her cross paths with Caine once again." Adam Fogelson, chair of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, echoed this enthusiasm, saying, "John Wick: Chapter 4 introduced us to so many compelling, original characters, including Akira. We're beyond thrilled to have Rina coming back to the franchise. Caine and Akira have unfinished business, and this next chapter in their stories will be explosive."
While details about the plot remain scarce, Caine is expected to follow the titular character after he is "freed from his obligations to the High Table." The film is said to draw inspiration from the Hong Kong-style action thrillers that made Yen famous, promising high-octane action sequences that fans of the franchise have come to expect.
Caine will be the third spin-off in the John Wick universe, following the release of The Continental on Prime Video in 2023, which focused on a young Winston Scott, portrayed by Colin Woodell. Additionally, fans can look forward to the release of Ballerina, another film set between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4, where Eve Macarro, played by Ana de Armas, seeks revenge after the death of her father. Ballerina is set to hit theaters on June 6, 2025.
Meanwhile, Keanu Reeves, who plays the titular character in the John Wick series, recently shared his experience on the set of Ballerina. "I just had like eight days on it, but it was fun to play the role again, and I'm excited for people to see the film," he said during a screening of the upcoming John Wick documentary Wick is Pain. While his total screentime in Ballerina remains unclear, Reeves emphasized that the film retains the spirit of the John Wick franchise while introducing new characters.
Ana de Armas, who stars as assassin Eva Macarro in Ballerina, has described her character's fighting style as distinct from that of John Wick, attributing it to her character's dance-based upbringing. She explained, "Through the training process and rehearsals, we kind of built these fights and tailored them to the things that I would do best. I was really good at kicking, and also because I'm a 'ballerina,' I'm supposed to be good at kicking; I was really good at close fights, like with knives and things like that."
In addition to Reeves and de Armas, Ballerina features familiar faces from the John Wick series, including Ian McShane, Anjelica Huston, and the late Lance Reddick, marking his final film role before his passing in 2023. The cast also includes Norman Reedus, who portrays a new character named Daniel Pine.
As the excitement builds for both Caine and Ballerina, fans are left wondering about the future of the John Wick franchise. Director Chad Stahelski recently addressed the anticipated John Wick 5, noting that while they have ideas for the film, it remains in the early stages of development. "We haven't had that talk yet," he admitted, referencing the planning for the next installment. "We have an idea. We put a lot of time into these things. It takes up your life for three years, start to finish." He emphasized the importance of allowing Reeves and himself to grow and experience new things before diving into another sequel.
Stahelski highlighted the priority of the anime and the spin-off focused on Donnie Yen's Caine, indicating that fans might have to wait a little longer for updates on John Wick 5. However, he reassured fans that this period of reflection and growth would ultimately lead to a more fresh and innovative experience when they do return to the franchise.
With Ballerina set to premiere on June 6, 2025, and Caine currently in production, the John Wick universe continues to expand, offering fans new stories and characters to invest in. As the franchise evolves, audiences can expect thrilling action and captivating narratives that keep them on the edge of their seats.
