‘Caine’: Donnie Yen’s ‘John Wick’ Spinoff Movie Begins Shooting Next Month With Script From ‘The Batman Part II’ Writer

Some “John Wick” universe fans were a little worried that the soft response to the Ana de Armas spinoff “Ballerina” meant Donnie Yen‘s upcoming “Caine” film featuring his blind assassin from “John Wick 4” might be in trouble, but that’s not the case, as filming is reportedly set to begin next month, according to Deadline. Yen is not only set to reprise the badass role, but is also set to direct the action flick from a script penned by writer Mattson Tomlin (“The Batman Part II”).

Expected to be both set and shot in Hong Kong, it will see singer Rina Sawayama back in the role of Akira, the daughter of Shimazu Koji (played by Hiroyuki Sanada) from “John Wick 4,” where she vowed revenge against Caine for slaying her father during a sword fight at The Continental hotel in Osaka, Japan.

READ MORE: 13 March Films To Watch: ‘Project Hail Mary,’ ‘Peaky Blinders,’ ‘Hoppers’ &’ The Bride!’

We’re sadly in the dark concerning plot details and subsequent casting information, alongside whether Keanu Reeves will be showing up. Unlike the timeline of “Ballerina” (set between the third and fourth installments), where Reeves shows up, it might be trickier for Wick to appear as this “Caine” movie is expected to take place after Wick’s off-screen “death scene.” Notably, we never actually see Wick die, leaving doors open for a resurrection for the gestating “John Wick 5,” a project currently in the works with the expectation that Chad Stahelski could return to helm.

“What drew me to Caine is the contradiction. He carries love, responsibility, and sacrifice in a world built on consequence. That creates a very different kind of action hero,” said Yen in an official statement posted by Deadline. “This film is an opportunity to push the genre forward. My goal is to create the most definitive martial arts-infused action film ever made, one that honors what audiences love about John Wick while bringing a new emotional depth and visual language to the story. As both director and actor, I’m excited to shape this chapter in a way that reflects everything I’ve learned over decades in action cinema, while building something that feels entirely new.”

Support independent movie journalism to keep it alive. Sign up for The Playlist Newsletter. All the content you want and, oh, right, it’s free.

Despite the production start in April, we don’t have an official title or release date from Lionsgate, which, like future casting information, will likely be out in the coming weeks or months. Stay tuned for updates as they roll in.