Donnie Yen Set To Direct and Star in JOHN WICK Spinoff Focused on Blind Assassin Caine

Donnie Yen is stepping behind the camera for his next act in the John Wick universe. Lionsgate announced at CinemaCon that Yen is set to reprise his role as the blind assassin from John Wick: Chapter 4, and he will also direct the upcoming spinoff centered on his character.

Production is set to kick off later this year. This untitled film will mark a stylistic shift for the franchise, as it will embrace the DNA of classic Hong Kong action cinema. Obviously, Yen has a lot of experience with that.

Yen said: “The John Wick films have set an immensely high standard for action filmmaking and I greatly appreciate Lionsgate giving me the opportunity to further elevate the franchise. I am both thrilled and deeply inspired to make this happen.”

The project is being written by The Batman Part II co-writer Mattson Tomlin, who is also scripting the live-action adaptation of Keanu Reeves’ comic BRZRKR. A previous draft was written by Robert Askins.

Details about the story are still under wraps, but we know it will pick up after the events of Chapter 4, where Caine was finally freed from the grip of the High Table.

Longtime John Wick producers Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee are producing alongside franchise architect Chad Stahelski, who continues to expand the world under his 87Eleven Entertainment banner. Yen will also serve as an executive producer.

“There is no one who knows this character better than Donnie, and he knows exactly how to deliver what audiences want and expect from Hong Kong-style action,” said Iwanyk and Lee. “He’s clearly the best choice to direct and we’re excited to begin production.”

Yen has been instrumental in shaping modern martial arts cinema, with landmark films like Flashpoint, the Ip Man series, and more recently, Sakra and The Prosecutor, both of which he directed and starred in. Hollywood fans will also recognize him from Rogue One, Mulan, and xXx: Return of Xander Cage.

Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group said in a statement: “From the moment Chad and Donnie pitched the idea of a Donnie Yen-style action film in the mode of John Wick, I was all in.

“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’re thrilled that he’s in the director’s chair to tell Caine’s story.”

Stahelski echoed that enthusiasm: “One of my favorite characters in the John Wick world is Caine. To have the chance to dive into his world and discover all his adventures excites us all.

“We envision a modern-day kung-fu classic that explores the John Wick world, and who better to helm it than Donnie Yen himself. His understanding of the culture, the world, and, of course, the action, make him the perfect director for this project.”

I’m excited for this movie and it will be cool to see what kind of story it will tell.