Caine (film)
American film by Donnie Yen
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Caine (marketed as From the World of John Wick: Caine) is an upcoming action thriller film directed by Donnie Yen, with a script co-written by Robert Askins and Mattson Tomlin, from an original story by Yen who co-authored with Chad Stahelski. Intended to be the sixth feature film, and seventh overall installment in the John Wick franchise, the plot centers around the titular character who navigates his release from the assassin organization known as the High Table; the movie takes place chronologically after the events of John Wick: Chapter 4.[1]
- Robert Askins
- Mattson Tomlin
- Donnie Yen
- Chad Stahelski
by Derek Kolstad
| Caine | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Donnie Yen |
| Screenplay by |
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| Story by |
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| Based on | John Wick by Derek Kolstad |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Markus Förderer |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Lionsgate |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The film stars story writer/director Donnie Yen in the lead role as Caine, with Rina Sawayama reprising her role as Akira in a supporting role. The project is a joint-venture production between Lionsgate Films, Thunder Road Films, and 87Eleven Productions, with Lionsgate distributing.
Caine commenced principal photography in April 2026.[2]
Cast
- Donnie Yen as Caine
- Rina Sawayama as Shimazu Akira
- Sabrina Zhuang[3]
Production
Development
In March 2023, producer Erica Lee stated that the studio is working on an as-of-yet untitled film that will further expand the franchise. Though she would not give any details at that time, she stated that it would be announced within the upcoming months.[4] Lee expressed further interest in a project detailing the backstory of the character portrayed by Rina Sawayama, named Akira.[5] The producer later expounded on the topic, revealing her personal interest in seeing a spin-off featuring the character become a reality.[6]
In March 2023, Donnie Yen similarly expressed interest in reprising his role from Chapter 4 in a potential spin-off centered around his character Caine. The actor acknowledged that there were ongoing discussions for such a reprisal at that time, serving as a continuation of the Chapter 4's post-credits scene which depicted Akira seeking lethal revenge against Caine.[7] In November of the same year, Stahelski confirmed that there are multiple projects in development that would further explore the story included in the post-credits of the fourth film.[8] Following the resolution of the writers and actors strikes, Lionsgate confirmed that work on multiple films had officially resumed.[9]
In May 2024, it was officially announced that a film centered around Caine was in development, with Yen reprising his role as the titular character. The script, written by Robert Askins, will explore the continuing story that chronologically follows the final scene of John Wick: Chapter 4. Chad Stahelski, Basil Iwanyk, and Erica Lee will serve as producers. The trio will oversee the movie, through their continued developmental roles at Lionsgate for all John Wick franchise installments.[10][11] By October of the same year, Stahelski confirmed that the untitled movie is currently in development, and that it will be one several upcoming John Wick projects to be produced.[12]
Lionsgate announced the project had been greenlit in April 2025 at CinemaCon, with Donnie Yen serving as director, while Mattson Tomlin will write a new draft of the previous draft written by Askins, which was based on a pitch from Stahelski and Yen; Yen will serve as an executive producer; while Stahelski will oversee production in his franchise role at Lionsgate. The plot will follow the character released from his role with the High Table and take place chronologically after the events of Chapter 4.[1] Described as a modern-day classic Hong Kong-style kung-fu movie, the project was stated to be a joint-venture production between Lionsgate, Thunder Road Films, and 87Eleven Entertainment.[1]
Casting
In April 2025, Donnie Yen was cast in the lead role, reprising the character from John Wick: Chapter 4.[1] Rina Sawayama was confirmed to reprise her role as Akira in May 2025.[13]
Filming
In September 2025, Yen began scouting locations for the production in Hong Kong.[14] He said that most of the film is set in Europe, but he insisted that part of his character's story be set and shot in Hong Kong.[15] Principal photography was initially planned to begin in 2025,[10][11] but was later postponed to April 2026.[16] Filming commenced in Budapest, Hungary, on April 25, 2026,[2][3] and is set to continue in Hong Kong by late June of the same year.[17]
Markus Förderer serves as the cinematographer.[18]