The John Wick franchise is in expansion mode as everyone waits to see if Keanu Reeves returns for John Wick 5. The series is fresh off releasing its first spinoff, Ballerina, starring Ana de Armas. Despite having a John Wick cameo, the film failed to generate significant box office returns, showing just how challenging it will be for this universe to escape Baba Yaga’s shadow.
Officially speaking, 2026 is going to be a gap year for John Wick. Lionsgate has not dated any new movies connected to the action franchise on its calendar for this coming year. But, there is a good chance that a big change will come and put a new John Wick movie into the world sometime in 2026.
Donnie Yen’s Caine Spinoff Could Be Ready For A Late 2026 Release
Donnie Yen as Caine in John Wick: Chapter 4
Lionsgate officially confirmed news of a Caine spinoff at CinemaCon 2025, and Donnie Yen’s return as the deadly mercenary could happen sooner than expected. The movie is going to build on John Wick: Chapter 4‘s credits tease of Caine and Akira (Rina Sawayama) going head-to-head.
As part of the CinemaCon 2025 presentation, it was revealed that Yen will direct the spinoff in addition to starring in it. Lionsgate also revealed that the plan was for a late 2025 start to production. Yen and Lionsgate have not announced that the movie is in production as the year comes to a close, but it’s possible it was filmed in Hong Kong without much fanfare.
If the Caine movie has already started filming or will begin early in 2026 after a delay, there is a reasonable chance it will be ready to release near the end of the year. The John Wick spinoff has been touted as an “ode to kung fu movies” by franchise director/producer Chad Stahelski (via THR).
Yen is one of the most skilled kung fu movie stars around, and he should be able to make this spinoff efficiently and without a need for significant CGI enhancements afterward. So long as putting the script to screen goes smoothly, there’s no reason why this film would need to wait until 2027 to arrive. A fall or winter 2026 release date could be perfect for Caine.
This would also ensure Lionsgate keeps a steady flow of John Wick releases coming as they sort of John Wick 5. Reeves can’t play John Wick forever, so it’s paramount that the studio finds other characters audiences will follow on the big screen if this franchise is going to continue long term. Releasing a (hopefully) awesome kung fu movie featuring a standout character is a smart way to do that and try John Wick‘s hand at doing spinoffs once again.
Writers
Mattson Tomlin
Producers
Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, Chad Stahelski
