Rina Sawayama Returns as Akira in Donnie Yen’s JOHN WICK Spinoff Film CAINE

After her breakout performance as Akira in John Wick: Chapter 4, the fierce daughter of Shimazu Koji (Hiroyuki Sanada), Rina Sawayama will reprise her role in Caine, the upcoming spinoff film starring and directed by Donnie Yen.First teased at CinemaCon, Caine will dive deeper into the aftermath of John Wick: Chapter 4, focusing on Yen’s titular character, an assassin newly freed from his obligations to the High Table. The return of Akira hints at unfinished business, and that tension is part of what’s making this next chapter so compelling. As Yen put it:“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!”Franchise director Chad Stahelski, who’s producing through his 87Eleven Entertainment banner, added:“Rina is such a badass. I love what she did with this role in Chapter 4 and can’t wait to see her cross paths with Caine once again.”The spinoff is being produced by John Wick veterans Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, alongside Stahelski. Yen also joins as an executive producer, ensuring his creative vision carries through both in front of and behind the camera.While plot specifics are still under wraps, we know Caine will lean heavily into Hong Kong-style action, something Yen is synonymous with. The latest draft of the screenplay is written by Mattson Tomlin (The Batman Part II, BRZRKR), building on a previous version by Robert Askins.Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson previously said:“John Wick: Chapter 4 introduced us to so many compelling, original characters, including Akira. We’re beyond thrilled to have Rina coming back to the franchise—Caine and Akira have unfinished business, and this next chapter in their stories will be explosive.”It’s all part of Lionsgate’s broader push to expand the Wick universe. Ballerina, the Ana de Armas-led spinoff, is already slated for release on June 6. There’s also an animated film in development, directed by Shannon Tindle and written by Vanessa Taylor, as well as a fifth John Wick film currently being worked on.As producer Basil Iwanyk summed up:“Rina will be a tremendous addition to this film, and we’re excited to be returning to Caine’s corner of the John Wick Universe as we start production soon.”Akira is back. And this time, the fight just got even more personal. Are you excited to see Rina Sawayama return to the John Wick universe?Source: Variety

May 7, 2025 - 19:50

Rina Sawayama Returns as Akira in Donnie Yen’s JOHN WICK Spinoff Film CAINE

After her breakout performance as Akira in John Wick: Chapter 4, the fierce daughter of Shimazu Koji (Hiroyuki Sanada), Rina Sawayama will reprise her role in Caine, the upcoming spinoff film starring and directed by Donnie Yen.

First teased at CinemaCon, Caine will dive deeper into the aftermath of John Wick: Chapter 4, focusing on Yen’s titular character, an assassin newly freed from his obligations to the High Table.

The return of Akira hints at unfinished business, and that tension is part of what’s making this next chapter so compelling. As Yen put it:

“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!”

Franchise director Chad Stahelski, who’s producing through his 87Eleven Entertainment banner, added:

“Rina is such a badass. I love what she did with this role in Chapter 4 and can’t wait to see her cross paths with Caine once again.”

The spinoff is being produced by John Wick veterans Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, alongside Stahelski. Yen also joins as an executive producer, ensuring his creative vision carries through both in front of and behind the camera.

While plot specifics are still under wraps, we know Caine will lean heavily into Hong Kong-style action, something Yen is synonymous with. The latest draft of the screenplay is written by Mattson Tomlin (The Batman Part II, BRZRKR), building on a previous version by Robert Askins.

Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson previously said:

“John Wick: Chapter 4 introduced us to so many compelling, original characters, including Akira. We’re beyond thrilled to have Rina coming back to the franchise—Caine and Akira have unfinished business, and this next chapter in their stories will be explosive.”

It’s all part of Lionsgate’s broader push to expand the Wick universe. Ballerina, the Ana de Armas-led spinoff, is already slated for release on June 6. There’s also an animated film in development, directed by Shannon Tindle and written by Vanessa Taylor, as well as a fifth John Wick film currently being worked on.

As producer Basil Iwanyk summed up:

“Rina will be a tremendous addition to this film, and we’re excited to be returning to Caine’s corner of the John Wick Universe as we start production soon.”

Akira is back. And this time, the fight just got even more personal. Are you excited to see Rina Sawayama return to the John Wick universe?

Source: Variety