Chad Stahelski’s January announcement of a development deal with Lionsgate to oversee the John Wick franchise is bearing even more fruit. Alas, now comes word from the trades that a new spin-off is in the works to continue the story from Donnie Yen’s character in last year’s big hit, John Wick: Chapter 4.
There’s no logline or official title yet though, but news is production is set to commence in Hong Kong next year with Yen reprising his role. Yen will be starring from a script by Robert Askins (Netflix’s “The Umbrella Academy,” AMC’s “The Son”). No director is attached as of this post.
As for all else, you’re welcome to take your share of guesses at what’s to come. The last film jumps off of a post-credits cliffhanger that also involves actress Rina Sawayama’s character.
In John Wick: Chapter 4, Yen is introduced as Caine, a blind professional hitman retired from the inner-workings of the Continental. Coerced by Marquis Vincent Bisset de Gramont (Bill Skarsgård) to hunt down the titular fugitive assassin played by Keanu Reeves, Caine is forced to tread the fine line between honor and duty as Wick piles up the bodies all the way to Paris for his last stand.
“Working on ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ was an extraordinary experience,” said Yen. “The reason these films resonate so deeply is because, like myself, Chad, Basil, and Erica push themselves to create action, fights, and stunts that are not only thrilling, inventive and artistic, but also expressive of character, story, and emotion. Caine is an incredible character with a haunted past, and I am excited to return to the role.”
The new spinoff is just one in several of the last few years, with Peacock limited series “The Continental” debuting last September. Ana de Armas will lead Len Wiseman’s Ballerina which releases next year following additional photography shepherded by Stahelski as reported by the trades earlier this year.
Read more at Variety.
Lead photo: Murray Close/Lionsgate
