‘Caine’: New ‘John Wick’ Spin Off Adds Mason Thames!!

Although John Wick: Chapter 4 wrapped up the High Table storyline back in 2023, the juggernaut action franchise is going nowhere. Last year saw the release of the first spin-off film in its universe of assassins, titled Ballerina and starring Ana de Armas, and while it failed to find an audience in theaters, it was a crucial first step in expanding this world even further. Not only that, but it has since found redemption on streaming as a fitting addition to the Wick catalog. Despite the Baba Yaga’s apparent demise after finally killing Bill Skarsgård‘s Marquis, Lionsgate has since confirmed a fifth film, with director Chad Stahelski and star Keanu Reeves both returning, though the closest new project is instead another offshoot centered on his old friend.

Production began on the Caine spin-off back in April, with martial arts legend Donnie Yen reprising his role as the titular blind assassin and taking the reins as director with a script by The Batman Part II writer Mattson Tomlin. Since then, the cast has quickly taken shape, notably bringing back Rina Sawayama as Akira in a continuation of that post-credits tease from Chapter 4. Stranger Things star Dacre Montgomery was also recently announced to have a role in the action, though it’s unknown who he’ll be playing in the spin-off. According to a new report, the film has now brought in another star straight from the Isle of Berk — Mason Thames.

Thames‘ star has risen precipitously since his breakout turn as Finney Blake in Scott Derrickson‘s horror hit The Black Phone. Last year saw him not only reprise that role in the sequel, Black Phone 2, but also star as a live-action rendition of the awkward young dragon rider Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III in the much-acclaimed live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon. He’s set to continue adapting DreamWorks‘ beloved fantasy adventures with How to Train Your Dragon 2 coming to theaters next year with Cate Blanchett reprising her role as Hiccup’s mother and reuniting with Gerard Butler for the occasion. Beyond Berk, he also starred in the Colleen Hoover adaptation Regretting You this year, and he has Macon Blair‘s Sundance hit comedy Idiots and the Green Day-inspired coming-of-age flick Nimrods coming to theaters in August.

What Else Do We Know About ‘Caine’?

The official logline for Caine is being kept under wraps at this time, alongside the roles of the new additions. All that’s confirmed is that it will take place after Chapter 4, with the blind assassin now free from the High Table’s control and his daughter safe. Yen is expected to bring some of his unique directorial flair to the movie, having previously helmed martial arts action classics like Ip Man. The usual John Wick team is also back to help with the production, including longtime producers Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee through their Thunder Road banner, Stahelski through his 87Eleven Entertainment, and Reeves alongside John Saunders.