The John Wick universe is sharpening its next offshoot: production on the Caine spin-off has brought in horror icon Mason Thames, joining Donnie Yen, Rina Sawayama, and Dacre Montgomery as the franchise expands beyond the High Table saga.
A John Wick story that already felt “closed” in 2023 is quietly refusing to stay that way.
John Wick: Chapter 4 wrapped up the High Table storyline back in 2023. but the franchise has kept moving through new assassins. new corners of the world. and now a fresh piece of casting momentum. Lionsgate has confirmed a fifth film with director Chad Stahelski and star Keanu Reeves both returning. Yet the closest new project isn’t another direct continuation of Wick’s main arc. It’s instead a new offshoot centered on an old friend.
That offshoot is the Caine spin-off, and production began in April. Donnie Yen is reprising his role as the titular blind assassin, and he’s also taking the reins as director. The script is by Mattson Tomlin, known for The Batman Part II.
Casting has moved quickly since production started. Rina Sawayama is back as Akira, continuing the post-credits tease from John Wick: Chapter 4. Stranger Things star Dacre Montgomery was also recently announced to have a role in the spin-off, though it remains unclear who he will be playing.
Now comes the latest addition: Mason Thames, newly set to join the film. The reporting frames the move as a star straight from the Isle of Berk, but the immediate takeaway is simpler—this spin-off keeps widening the kind of ensemble John Wick is known for, while leaning into darker genre energy.
The franchise’s last few steps explain why this new direction matters. Last year, Ballerina—starring Ana de Armas—arrived as the first spin-off in the John Wick universe. It failed to find an audience in theaters. but it later found redemption on streaming. becoming a fitting addition to the Wick catalog.
With Lionsgate confirming the fifth film and the fifth film’s key names already locked in—Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves—this Caine project is the bridge. And after the world-building payoff of the Chapter 4 ending and its teased threads. the speed of this casting round—Rina Sawayama’s return. Dacre Montgomery’s mystery role. and now Mason Thames—suggests the franchise is building its next chapter with intent.
John Wick Caine spin-off Mason Thames Donnie Yen Rina Sawayama Dacre Montgomery Keanu Reeves Chad Stahelski Lionsgate Ballerina Ana de Armas Akira The Batman Part II Mattson Tomlin