Stranger Things Star Joins Donnie Yen for John Wick Spin-off Caine
‘Absurd Amounts of Aura’: Stranger Things Star Joins Donnie Yen for John Wick Spin-off Caine
BUDAPEST — The High Table is expanding its ranks. Dacre Montgomery, the Australian breakout star of Stranger Things, has officially joined the cast of the highly anticipated John Wick spin-off, Caine.
The news, confirmed by Lionsgate on Thursday morning, sees Montgomery join legendary martial artist Donnie Yen, who reprises his role as the titular blind assassin. While the Elvis and Power Rangers actor’s specific role is currently "under wraps," industry insiders suggest he will play a significant new antagonist or a high-level operative within the Continental’s global network.
The ‘Matrix’ of Martial Arts
Directed by Yen himself, Caine is being described by producers as an "ode to classic Hong Kong-style kung fu movies." The film picks up immediately following the post-credits sting of John Wick: Chapter 4, which saw Caine finally freed from his obligations to the High Table, only to be hunted by Akira Shimazu (Rina Sawayama).
Sawayama is also confirmed to return, setting the stage for a tense continuation of her revenge arc following the death of her father in the Osaka Continental.
“What drew me to Caine is the contradiction,” Yen said in a statement from the film’s Budapest set. “He carries love and sacrifice in a world built on consequence. With this film, we aren't just making another action movie, we are creating the most definitive martial arts-infused story ever made.”
Production Underway
Principal photography for the spin-off officially commenced in Budapest, Hungary, on 25th April 2026. The production is a joint venture between Thunder Road Films and 87Eleven Entertainment, the powerhouses behind the main John Wick tetralogy.
Lionsgate chair Adam Fogelson noted that Montgomery’s casting is part of a strategy to bring "fresh, intense energy" to the franchise. Montgomery has recently earned rave reviews for his performance in the horror-thriller Faces of Death, making him a prime candidate for the gritty, high-stakes world of the Wick universe.
Caine – The Cast & Crew
| Role / Position | Name | Known For |
| Caine (Lead/Director) | Donnie Yen | Ip Man, Rogue One |
| Akira Shimazu | Rina Sawayama | John Wick: Chapter 4 |
| Undisclosed Role | Dacre Montgomery | Stranger Things (Billy) |
| Undisclosed Role | Sabrina Zhuang | The Legend of Shen Li |
| Writer | Mattson Tomlin | The Batman |
| Cinematography | Markus Förderer | Red Notice |
A ‘No-Wick’ Spin-off
Despite the film being a direct extension of the 2023 blockbuster, fans should not expect a cameo from Keanu Reeves. Producer Chad Stahelski recently clarified that the "Donnie Yen spin-off doesn't have the John Wick character," opting instead to lean into the sub-genres of John Woo and Wong Kar-wai.
The film is the second major live-action spin-off for the franchise, following the upcoming Ana de Armas-led Ballerina.
The Verdict
By adding Montgomery, an actor known for his explosive on-screen presence, to a cast led by the "Matrix" of martial arts himself, Lionsgate is clearly aiming to prove the John Wick universe can thrive without its namesake.
With filming set to move to Hong Kong in late June, the "Caine" era of the franchise is officially in full swing.
