Actress Rina Sawayama is set to join Donnie Yen in the actor’s own Hong Kong action reverb of the John Wick franchise, according to Variety’s Alex Ritman. The film comes from Lionsgate and will be produced by Thunder Road and Chad Stahelski’s 87Eleven Entertainment and is also exec produced by Yen.
Sawayama will reprise her role as Akira who served under her father, Koji (Hiroyuki Sanada) as concierge of the Continental Hotel’s Osaka location. Agreeably, this was otherwise hoped for – or expected – considering the explosive events of 2023’s John Wick: Chapter 4, including the aftermath as shown the film’s post-credits.
“Rina is such a badass,” said Stahelski. “I love what she did with this role in Chapter 4 and can’t wait to see her cross paths with Caine once again.”
Added Yen: “Most delighted to welcome Rina back into this new exciting journey with us. It will be my pleasure and attempt to elevate her amazing character that left us mesmerized from John Wick: Chapter 4!”
Yes, I’m being cryptic. I hate it when folks spoil stuff without warning and there’s always a pocket of folks out there who might not have kept up, so if the shoe fits, consider yourselves invited to check out the current four-film saga, as well as its other upcoming spin-off starring Ana de Armas which opens in June.
Read more at Variety.
Lead Image: Murray Close/Lionsgate