There’s no more arguing whether Keanu Reeves’ John Wick actually died as it has been announced at CinemaCon in Las Vegas earlier this week that everyone’s favourite assassin will be coming back for John Wick 5. The film studio Lionsgate has also confirmed that Hong Kong’s own Donnie Yen will reprise his role and also direct the spinoff for the blind assassin Caine.
The last time we saw Caine, he had critically injured Wick in a duel, earning his freedom from the High Table. In an official statement from Lionsgate, chairperson Adam Fogelson revealed, ‘While the logline is being kept under wraps, the new 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.’
Though it seems like Caine can finally leave the assassin’s life behind, a post-credits scene showed Shimazu Akira walking menacingly towards him with a knife. Fans of the action franchise might remember that Yen’s character had previously killed Akira’s father Shimazu Koji (played by the inimitable Hiroyuki Sanada), so the spinoff film will probably see Caine dealing with the Japanese assassin’s revenge and its repercussions.
The new film is scheduled for shooting in Hong Kong and Macau within this year. Being in the director’s chair and lead role makes Yen the first Asian actor to helm a major Hollywood production in such a wide-ranging way, surpassing even Jackie Chan and Jet Li’s involvements in the industry.
Since Yen is well-known for his martial arts skills, we can likely expect the spinoff movie to be full of kung fu or Wing Chun-based stunts. The movie franchise’s director and producer Chad Stahelski enthused, ‘We envision a modern day kung-fu classic that explores the John Wick world, and who better to helm it than Donnie Yen himself?’
Meanwhile, there is also going to be an animated prequel, set before the events of the first John Wick movie, to be helmed by Oscar-nominated animator Shannon Tindle. Reeves is likely going to voice Wick, with Stahelski on board as director. Looks like we’re far from done with this universe of assassins!
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