Tag: Donnie Yen

'John Wick' Spinoff Movie Focused On Donnie Yen's Caine Announced By Lionsgate & Shoots Next Year In Hong Kong
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‘John Wick’ Spinoff Movie Focused On Donnie Yen’s Caine Announced By Lionsgate & Shoots Next Year In Hong Kong

Today, Lionsgate made it official (via Variety) that their next “John Wick” franchise spinoff film will focus on Donnie Yen‘s standout character from “John Wick 4,” Caine. This project’s announcement isn’t exactly a shocking turn of events as it was first teased at the end of the last “John Wick” installment when it looked like Akira was about to get her revenge on the blind assassin after killing her father at the Osaka Continental.

Robert Askins (“The Umbrella Academy”) is writing the developing action pic with plans for filming to begin sometime next year in Yen’s homestead of Hong Kong. Presumably, the idea is to shoot in Hong Kong, not only as a new location in the Wick-a-verse to explore but also would likely be a more comfortable production stay for the film’s star as well, compared to Germany or NYC.

We’ll have to wait for a director to be named, as one isn’t mentioned at this time.

When we’re first introduced to Caine, he’s a bit of a reluctant pursuer of Wick. However, he, like many other characters in the franchise, is beholden to The High Table to keep his daughter safe from harm. It’ll be interesting to see if the Triads will play a role in this spinoff, given the Hong Kong location would be a perfect excuse to explore that criminal syndicate, who are expected to have a seat at The High Table.

Caine is pretty much another shade of John Wick, although being blind adds an extra element to his action sequences. He’s also an obvious homage to the likes of the beloved cinematic Japanese swordsman, Zatoichi, a samurai franchise character who is incredibly skilled and is most often underestimated by strangers he encounters.

The yet-to-be-titled film isn’t the only spinoff movie on the horizon as “Ballerina” starring Ana de Armas and Norman Reedus, is expected to debut next summer after some extended reshoots in Budapest with the franchise’s new overseer, Chad Stahelski, deeply involved.

SOURCE: VARIETY

Posted on in Film News, News

David Leitch & Universal’s Feature Film Reboot Of ‘Kung Fu’ Will Be Led By Veteran Action Star Donnie Yen

Universal Pictures and producer David Leitch have reportedly found their lead actor for a feature film reboot of the beloved martial arts western series “Kung Fu.” Deadline says that veteran action star and director Donnie Yen has been selected to lead the new incarnation. Yen, known for his martial arts abilities, has been a versatile actor moving between Hollywood, China, and Hong Kong productions throughout the last 20-plus years (working decades longer in Asian cinema before nabbing Hollywood parts) with his Western credits including “Blade 2,” “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” “John Wick 4,” and “Shanghai Knights.” He’s likely most known for leading the “IP Man” franchise which focuses on a dramatized version of the life of the famous Wing Chun Master, who taught a young Bruce Lee in Hong Kong before he moved to California to pursue an acting career and opening his own martial arts school.

“Kung Fu” has a script penned by Stephen Chin (“War Dogs”) and Leitch is expected to potentially direct the martial arts film having an extensive stunt background himself. Some of the many projects Leitch has worked on in the past include the original “John Wick,” “Bullet Train,” “Hobbs & Shaw,” “Deadpool 2,” and the upcoming Ryan Gosling pic “The Fall Guy.” The latter film due to be released on May 3 is also a feature film based on an older television show.

The original series in retrospect is steeped in controversy as the legendary Bruce Lee saw “Kung Fu” as the perfect project to help transition into leading roles after having done supporting stuff including playing the sidekick Kato in the popular “Green Hornet” series in the 1960s. Instead, the main role would go to David Carradine, the son of veteran actor John Carradine, who had zero martial arts training at the time. Once Lee was passed over, the actor decided to return to Hong Kong where he originally started out as a child actor in movies such as “The Kid,” and created a new action persona for himself with “Enter The Dragon” before his untimely death in 1973 at the young age of 32. Launching a new wave of modern martial arts movies to counter The Shaw Brothers’ period films within the genre of wuxia that quickly became extremely popular in the West.

Some of the controversy stems from Carradine, a white actor, playing a Shaolin monk named Kwai Chang Caine. In the show, Caine’s European ancestry was explained with the character being an orphaned American boy living/raised in China who would leave the temple as a young man to wander the American West but obviously, the part was meant for an Asian actor. The series would eventually get a revival in the 1990s with a descendent of Caine navigating a modern New York City alongside his son, who worked for the NYPD, but like his father had also trained at the Shaolin temple.

More recently there was the CW series reboot starring Olivia Liang that ran from 2021-2023.

It’s unclear when “Kung Fu” will begin shooting but with Yen attached, the movie is now in great shape to go in front of cameras very soon. This isn’t the only big project Yen is expected to be looked at as there had been some chatter within Lionsgate that his “John Wick 4” character Caine could end up getting his own movie spinoff and he’s been attached for ages to a feature film adaptation of the cops vs. Triads video game “Sleeping Dogs.”

SOURCE: DEADLINE

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‘Pacific Rim 2’: Guillermo del Toro Wanted Rinko Kikuchi & Donnie Yen To Lead His Sequel, Exited Due To Studio Losing Stages In Toronto

Sometimes when sequels are made they don’t often look like the original incarnation of that follow-up from the development stages and the same can be said about Legendary’s haphazard sequel to Guillermo del Toro‘s “Pacific Rim.” There had been an attempt by del Toro to return for the sequel but left due to some studio hijinks that left them without a stage facility to make the film in a timely manner. His exit from that kaiju-vs-robots sequel was a lot more avoidable than you might imagine.

While speaking with Collider recently, the filmmaker revealed that he ultimately didn’t return to make “Pacific Rim 2” because the studio, Legendary, according to del Toro, let their access to stages at Pinewood Studios Toronto (Where the first film had been shot) expire by not paying the deposit needed to hold them and would have further delayed production with the promise that they could simply shoot the film in China. However, del Toro wanted to do location shoots in China after scouting but mainly do that stage work in Toronto. Instead, del Toro passed after the studio lost the stages they needed in Toronto and moved on to his Oscar-winning film “The Shape of Water,” which as you might expect he shot in Toronto alongside Buffalo, New York.

The Mako Mori test | Karavansara

He revealed that Rinko Kikuchi‘s Mako Mori (Adopted daughter of Marshall Pentecost), the female lead of the previous installment was poised to take the reigns from Charlie Hunnam as the lead of del Toro’s version of “Pacific Rim 2.” Along with the aim to get Hong Kong action star Donnie Yen (“Rogue One,” “John Wick 4”) a key role as well. Yen and del Toro had previously worked together on “Blade II,” where the actor had played a member of the vampire black ops team, The Blood Pack, but didn’t last very long in that picture.

“The main character for me in many ways was Mako Maori…I wrote a phenomenal role for Donnie Yen, I wanted Donnie Yen. I wanted Donnie Yen to star in a damn mainstream movie, I was all for [filming in China]. We did scout in China and we were going to do location shooting [in China] but [for] stage I wanted to be in Toronto.”

Legendary decided not to use those actors in del Toro’s desired capacity. Pivoting to “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” actor John Boyega playing the never-mentioned son of Pentecost as our new main protagonist. The main leg of the sequel’s production took place in Australia with director Steven S. DeKnight (“Daredevil”) at the helm, making his feature film debut on a rather massive studio film which is infamously a make-or-break situation on such a large project.

Ultimately, “Pacific Rim: Uprising” wouldn’t be as much of a hit with critics or audiences as it only mustered $291 million which was $100 million less than the last movie had made ($411 million). Guillermo also admittedly never ended up watching the version the studio made and made a flowery comparison to “home movies from your ex-wife.” Adding, “They’re terrible if they’re good and worse if they’re bad.” That line got some chuckles from the audience at the Q&A that Collider was hosting.

Just the other day, del Toro had stated that Tom Cruise nearly had a big role in the original film and was wanted for Idris Elba‘s part but it ultimately didn’t work out.

You can watch that full exchange between del Toro and Collider’s Steve Weintraub below.

SOURCE: COLLIDER

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Lionsgate Chairman Confirms ‘John Wick 5’ In Development & Teases More Wickaverse Films

This month the “John Wick” franchise has earned an impressive $1 billion at the global box office, which is a huge achievement given the R-rated franchise has been able to increasingly grow it’s audience which each installment. The studio is already working on a handful of spinoffs but finally confirmed that a fifth installment is going ahead.

During a Lionsgate earnings call via SlashFilm, studio chairman Joseph Drake has revealed that “John Wick 5” is indeed in development and suggests even more films are coming beyond the sequel and the spinoff “Ballerina,” starring Oscar-nominee Ana de Armas.

“We’re in development on 3 others, including [John Wick 5] and including a television series, ‘The Continental,’ will be airing soon. And so we’re building out the world and when that 5 movie comes, will be an organic — will be organically grown out of how we’re starting to tell those stories. But you can rely on regular cadence with John Wick.”

On the film side, Drake stopped short of revealing what what is coming other than “Ballerina” and “John Wick 5.” However, given how “John Wick 4” ended there is an expectation we could be seeing a film about Rina Sawayama‘s Akira or Donnie Yen’s Cane as a end credit scene teases that those two will finally come to blows. There had also been previous calls from fans to give Halle Berry‘s Sofia from “John Wick 3” her own film too and Laurence Fishburne‘s Bowery King could be further explored alongside other side characters.

Keanu Reeves will appear in “Ballerina” as that film takes place in during the six months between the third and fourth movies as Wick recovers from his injuries. That spinoff is set to be released in theaters with a prime summer date of June 7, 2024.

When it comes to “John Wick 5” the last film ***SPOILER ALERT*** seemingly kills John off-screen. Although, nothing says they didn’t fake his death potentially to avoid further retribution. Then again, if Wick is indeed dead another way to go would be hand off the franchise to Ana de Armas’ Rooney, who just happens to be another assassin from the Ruska Roma. Originally, it was said that the fourth and fifth film would be shot back-to-back but that ultimately didn’t happen.

We’re unsure when exactly “John Wick 5” might begin shooting as director Chad Stahelski is likely going to pursue one of his many other films in development such as the “Highlander” reboot and his samurai flick “Ghost of Tsushima” for Sony Pictures based on the acclaimed PlayStation video game.

SOURCE: LIONSGATE

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‘John Wick 4: Hagakure’ Expected To Be The Next Film’s Title As Production Wraps

It looks like we might have a title for the latest John Wick installment.

Shamier Anderson, one of the film’s lead actors, has posted on Instagram that he’s wrapped filming (days after co-star Donnie Yen) and revealed one of his wrap gifts that seemingly has the film’s title attached to it. The title on the gift is John Wick 4: Haragkure, a potential nod to the Japanese book outlining the samurai mantra/code, the Yakuza are expected to be featured in the film with Hiroyuki Sanada possibly representing them for The High Table in the fourth installment.

Having a film’s title being revealed isn’t a new thing, Keanu Revees’ previous shoot for the next Matrix film had its title, The Matrix Resurrections, linked to wrap gifts.

Production had been taking place in Berlin and Paris.

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum ended with John Wick surviving the fall from the roof of The Continental hotel after Ian McShane’s Winston shot him. Winston’s motivations weren’t entirely clear as he didn’t seem shocked that Mr. Wick got away and could be giving The High Table a false sense of security. Wick eventually lands at the feet of Laurence Fishburne’s Bowery King, who had his organization taken away from him by The High Table and convinces John to go to war with him against the mysterious group of criminal syndicate puppet masters. 

The newest additions to the cast consist of Japanese action star Hiroyuki Sanada as Watanabe, Hong Kong action star Donnie Yen playing Wick’s old pal, British martial artist Scott Adkins (The Expendables 2, Doctor Strange), Marko Zaror (Machete Kills, Alita: Battle Angel), Atomic Blonde’s Bill Skarsgard, Anderson, and the film’s female lead played by Japanese-British singer Rina Sawayama. 

Returning cast members will be Ian McShane as Winston, Lance Reddick as Charon and Laurence Fishburne back as the Bowery King.

John Wick 4 will hit the big screen on May 27, 2022, and Lionsgate had confirmed plans to make John Wick: Chapter 5, but will no longer shoot back-to-back with the next installment. Franchise creator and architect, Derek Kolstad, stated that he won’t be involved in the next two films and suggested John Wick 5 could be the final pic.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CWBDjPzlGMw/

SOURCE: SHAMIER ANDERSON

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‘Star Wars’ & ‘Game Of Thrones’ Actress Natalia Tena Joining ‘John Wick 4’?

John Wick 4 has been filming outside of Berlin, Germany with Keanu Reeves back as the big bad assassin John Wick and director Chad Stahelski assembling quite the cast for the latest action pic. Another actor might have been added to the main lineup.

Take the following with a grain of salt, but British actress Natalia Tena (Black Mirror, Wolfe) has been listed on IMDB (could be bogus) as being part of the cast. However, Tena is such a left-field name to falsely attach to the project and sort of makes sense given her recent projects including a new crime series Wolfe.

Tena has various franchise roles including being part of the Star Wars universe playing Xi’an in the first season of The Mandalorian, Osha in multiple seasons of HBO’s Game of Thrones, and Nymphadora Tonks in four Harry Potter installments.

She wouldn’t be the only Game of Thrones alumni involved with the Wick franchise as Aflie Allen was the little brat that pulled Wick back into the life of hired killers and Ian McShane also had a brief role in the fantasy series.

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum ended with John Wick surviving the fall from the roof of The Continental hotel after Ian McShane’s Winston shot him. Winston’s motivations weren’t entirely clear as he didn’t seem shocked that Mr. Wick got away and could be giving The High Table a false sense of security. Wick eventually lands at the feet of Laurence Fishburne’s Bowery King, who had his organization taken away from him by The High Table and convinces John to go to war with him against the mysterious group of criminal syndicate puppet masters. 

The rest of the cast consists of Ian McShane as Winston, Lance Reddick as Charon and Laurence Fishburne back as the Bowery King, Donnie Yen (Mulan, Ip Man, Blade II, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), Hiroyuki Sanada (Shogun, Westworld, Sunshine, The Last Samurai) as Watanabe, Clancy Brown (Highlander, The Punisher, Billions), Scott Adkins (The Expendables 2, Doctor Strange), Marko Zaror (Machete Kills, Alita: Battle Angel), Bill Skarsgard (Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2), Shamier Anderson, and Japanese-British singer Rina Sawayama. 

John Wick 4 is set for release on May 27, 2022.

SOURCE: IMDB

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Donnie Yen Would Consider Reprising ‘Star Wars’ Role If Asked & Having The “Best Experience” Making ‘John Wick 4’

Donnie Yen has been getting a bit of love from Hollywood recently with roles in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Mulan, and is currently shooting John Wick 4 in Berlin.

While speaking with Looper to promote his new action pic, Raging Fire, the Hong Kong actor was asked if he’d be willing to reprising his Star Wars role of Chirrut Îmwe.

“Well, I would definitely consider it. I had a great time shooting ‘Rogue One,’ and I guess people like my character. It really depends, you don’t know what they’re thinking. I leave it up to Disney to sort it out. We’ll see. I believe in destiny. “

With shows like Star Wars: Andor, a prequel to Rogue One, there are certainly possibilities of Lucasfilm eventually bringing back Chirrut.

He also explained how producer Basil Iwanyk courted him for the John Wick franchise and says shooting the fourth film has been his “best experience” working on it, as one of the few American productions he’s been involved with

“I’m having a wonderful time here. Keanu Reeves is a wonderful soul, gentleman, best guy I’ve ever worked with, just a great guy, same as Chad. This so far has been the best experience in the very few American movies I have ever been. And you will not be disappointed with the film, you will be wowed by the film.“

“They were really passionate about wanting me to be in the film, and we had multiple discussions of my role, and where I’d like to take this role. And we totally, we synced, and we were on the same page. That’s what happened, and there I am.”

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum ended with John Wick surviving the fall from the roof of The Continental hotel after Ian McShane’s Winston shot him. Winston’s motivations weren’t entirely clear as he didn’t seem shocked that Mr. Wick got away and could be giving The High Table a false sense of security. Wick eventually lands at the feet of Laurence Fishburne’s Bowery King, who had his organization taken away from him by The High Table and convinces John to go to war with him against the mysterious group of criminal syndicate puppet masters. 

The cast also includes Ian McShane as Winston, Lance Reddick as Charon and Laurence Fishburne back as the Bowery King, Hiroyuki Sanada as Watanabe, Clancy Brown (Highlander), British martial artist Scott Adkins (The Expendables 2, Doctor Strange), Marko Zaror (Machete Kills, Alita: Battle Angel), Atomic Blonde’s Bill Skarsgard, Stowaway’s Shamier Anderson, and the film’s female lead played by Japanese-British singer Rina Sawayama. 

John Wick 4 is set for release on May 27, 2022.

SOURCE: LOOPER

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‘John Wick 4’ Adds Chilean Martial Arts Actor Marko Zaror From ‘Machete Kills’ & ‘Alita: Battle Angel’

Production is currently under way in Germany on John Wick 4 starring Keanu Reeves and director Chad Stahelski behind the camera.

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum ended with John Wick surviving the fall from the roof of The Continental hotel after Ian McShane’s Winston shot him. Winston’s motivations weren’t entirely clear as he didn’t seem shocked that Mr. Wick got away and could be giving The High Table a false sense of security. Wick eventually lands at the feet of Laurence Fishburne’s Bowery King, who had his organization taken away from him by The High Table and convinces John to go to war with him against the mysterious group of criminal syndicate puppet masters. 

There is yet another martial arts trained actor joining the fourth installment, as Deadline reports that Chilean actor Marko Zaror (Machete Kills, Undisputed III: Redemption, Alita: Battle Angel, From Dusk Till Dawn) is in talks for an undisclosed role that might be villainous in nature.

The franchise’s newest additions joining for the fourth film include Japanese action star Horiyuki Sanada as Watanabe, Hong Kong action star Donnie Yen playing Wick’s old pal, British martial artist Scott Adkins (The Expendables 2, Doctor Strange), Atomic Blonde’s Bill Skarsgard, Stowaway’s Shamier Anderson, and the film’s female lead played by Japanese-British singer Rina Sawayama. 

Returning actors include Ian McShane as Winston, Lance Reddick as Charon, and Laurence Fishburne back as the Bowery King.

We’re still in the dark about established characters played by Halle Berry, Asia Kate Dillion, John Leguizamo, Peter Stormare, Common, Jason Mantzoukas, Anjelica Huston, Said Taghmaoui, Yayan Ruhian, and Cecept Arif Rahamn making an appearance in John Wick 4.

The Ronin first reveled and confirmed cinematographer Dan Laustsen would be back behind the camera.

John Wick 4 will hit the big screen on May 27, 2022 and Lionsgate had confirmed plans to make John Wick: Chapter 5, but will no longer shoot back-to-back with the next installment. Franchise creator and architect, Derek Kolstad, stated that he won’t be involved in the next two films and suggested John Wick 5 could be the final pic.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

Posted on in Film News

‘Doctor Strange’s Scott Adkins To Kick People To Death In ‘John Wick 4’

Production on John Wick 4 is officially underway in Germany and another action star is expected to join the film’s lineup. According to Deadline, British martial arts actor Scott Adkins (The Expendables, Doctor Strange, Zero Dark Thirty) is in negotiations with director Chad Stahelski and Lionsgate to take an undisclosed role.

Adkins is best known for his impressive kicks and acrobatics. It’ll be interesting to see if he’ll be playing a villain working on behalf of the High Table.

Others joining Keanu Reeves in the sequel include Japanese action star Horiyuki Sanada as Watanabe, Hong Kong action star Donnie Yen playing Wick’s old pal, Atomic Blonde’s Bill Skarsgard, Stowaway’s Shamier Anderson, and the film’s female lead played by Japanese-British singer Rina Sawayama. While it’s unknown if we’ll see Asia Kate Dillion, Common or Halle Berry return, franchise stars Laurence Fishburne and Ian McShane are set to reprise their roles.

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum ended with John Wick surviving the fall from the roof of The Continental hotel after Ian McShane’s Winston shot him. Winston’s motivations weren’t entirely clear as he didn’t seem shocked that Mr. Wick got away and could be giving The High Table a false sense of security. Wick eventually lands at the feet of Laurence Fishburne’s Bowery King, who had his organization taken away from him by The High Table and convinces John to go to war with him against the mysterious group of criminal syndicate puppet masters. 

The Ronin recently confirmed cinematographer Dan Laustsen would be back behind the camera.

John Wick 4 will hit the big screen on May 27, 2022 and Lionsgate had confirmed plans to make John Wick: Chapter 5, but will no longer shoot back-to-back with the next installment. Franchise creator and architect, Derek Kolstad, stated that he won’t be involved in the next two films and suggested John Wick 5 could be the final pic.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

Posted on in Film News

Filming On ‘John Wick 4’ Has Officially Started In Germany; Lionsgate Releases First Set Photo

Well, it’s official! Lionsgate has announced on Twitter that their next installment of the John Wick franchise has officially started filming at Babelsberg Studios in Germany.

John Wick 4 will see some impressive new additions joining Keanu Reeves such as Japanese action star Horiyuki Sanada as Watanabe, Hong Kong action star Donnie Yen playing Wick’s old pal, Atomic Blonde’s Bill Skarsgard, Stowaway’s Shamier Anderson, and the film’s female lead played by Japanese-British singer Rina Sawayama. While it’s unknown if we’ll see Asia Kate Dillion, Common or Halle Berry return, franchise stars Laurence Fishburne and Ian McShane are set to reprise their roles.

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum ended with John Wick surviving the fall from the roof of The Continental hotel after Ian McShane’s Winston shot him. Winston’s motivations weren’t entirely clear as he didn’t seem shocked that Mr. Wick got away and could be giving The High Table a false sense of security. Wick eventually lands at the feet of Laurence Fishburne’s Bowery King, who had his organization taken away from him by The High Table and convinces John to go to war with him against the mysterious group of criminal syndicate puppet masters. 

The Ronin recently confirmed cinematographer Dan Laustsen would be back behind the camera.

John Wick 4 will hit the big screen on May 27, 2022 and Lionsgate had confirmed plans to make John Wick: Chapter 5, but will no longer shoot back-to-back with the next installment. Franchise creator and architect, Derek Kolstad, stated that he won’t be involved in the next two films and suggested John Wick 5 could be the final pic.

SOURCE: LIONSGATE