Deadline is reporting that Donnie Yen has joined the cast of John Wick: Chapter 4. The sequel to 2019’s John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum will see Yen portraying an old friend to Keanu Reeves’ titular assassin and who “shares his same history and many of the same enemies.”
“We are very lucky to have Donnie Yen join the franchise,” said director Chad Stahelski in a statement. “I am looking forward to working with him in this exciting new role.”
“Donnie Yen will bring a vibrant and powerful energy to the franchise,” added producer Basil Iwanyk. “We were determined to bring him on board to John Wick 4 and are thrilled for the opportunity to have such a major talent to collaborate with Keanu.”
Yen will be starring alongside the returning Keanu Reeves and Ian McShane, as well as the recently announced Japanese-British singer-songwriter and model Rina Sawayama, who will be making her feature film debut. There is currently no word on who Sawayama will be playing in the highly-anticipated sequel.
John Wick: Chapter 4 and Chapter 5 were originally meant to be shot back-to-back, but Lionsgate changed their plans due to the ongoing global health crisis. Now Chapter 4 will begin shooting sometime this summer and 5 will take place sometime after its completion. Unlike the first three films which take place primarily in New York City, it has been reported Chapter 4 will be an international affair with the shoot taking place in Berlin and Paris, with additional photography in New York City and Japan.
While plot details are being kept under wraps, it’s safe to assume that Chapter 4 will possibly pick up after the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum with Keanu Reeves’ John Wick aiming to get revenge against Ian McShane’s Winston for betraying him and taking the fight to the High Table directly.
Derek Kolstad, who wrote all three previous John Wick films, has previously revealed that he won’t be returning to write the screenplay for John Wick: Chapter 4. Instead, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum co-writer Shay Hatten and Michael Finch (American Assassin) will write the script with Chad Stahelski returning to direct once again.
