Donnie Yen’s John Wick: Chapter 4 fight gets high marks from a stuntman, who explains why the scene works so well. After three previous installments, Keanu Reeves returns as the titular assassin for Chad Stahelski’s fourth entry in the popular action franchise, doing battle against the High Table as his quest for freedom continues. The John Wick: Chapter 4 cast includes a number of newcomers, including Yen as Caine, a blind assassin who was once Wick’s friend.
Now, on a new episode of their “Stuntmen React” series, Corridor Crew VFX artists Niko Pueringer and Wren Weichman are joined by stuntman Gui DaSilva-Greene to break down why Yen’s first John Wick: Chapter 4 fight works so well.
After praising Yen’s sheer speed as a performer, even at 60 years old, Pueringer points out that Caine’s speed is accentuated by Yen doing “small movements and the stunt guns are really selling the hits“. Other moments that take the fight to the next level include Yen’s “ax kick,” which DaSilva-Greene describes as an “exclamation mark similar to Bruce [Lee’s] stomp.” The fight also includes many signature moves from Yen’s career as a martial artist, including the “rapid fire punches” seen in the Ip Man franchise. Crucially, DaSilva-Greene explains, the fight represents an example of “choreographing to your actor“.
How Caine Can Return In The John Wick Franchise
While Reeves’ assassin has always been the main character, the John Wick franchise continues to excel due to its memorable supporting players. Caine is perhaps the most memorable supporting character introduced to date, and he feels ripe for further exploration. Even though the John Wick: Chapter 4 post-credits scene hints that Caine dies at the hands of Akira (Rina Sawayama), there are other ways for the franchise to bring Yen’s character back.
If Caine were to get his own John Wick spinoff movie, it could take place before the events of the most recent sequel. The story could explore how Yen’s Caine became blind or chronicle exactly how he was able to “retire” himself from the franchise’s assassin network (before he ultimately gets pulled back in, of course).
Or, it’s entirely possible that Caine survives the attempt on his life at the end of John Wick: Chapter 4, and a follow-up could see him and Akira facing off as she seeks revenge for the death of her father. Alternatively, with John Wick 5 is currently in development (though not yet officially confirmed), Yen could somehow be incorporated into the continuation of Reeves’ character’s story. However it happens, Caine evidently made a big impression on viewers and should absolutely return.
John Wick: Chapter 4
Following the events of Chapter 3 – Parabellum, John Wick Chapter 4 will see the titular character battle against some of his most dangerous foes yet. With a bounty on his head that continues to skyrocket, John decides to take the fight to the High Table on a global scale and battles across areas like Osaka and Paris to wipe out some of the strongest players in the underworld.
- Release Date
- March 24, 2023
- Director
- Chad Stahelski
- Cast
- Hiroyuki Sanada , Clancy Brown , Scott Adkins , Keanu Reeves , Ian McShane , Bill Skarsgard , Laurence Fishburne , Rina Sawayama , Donnie Yen , Lance Reddick , Shamier Anderson
- Rating
- R
- Runtime
- 169 minutes
- Genres
- Thriller , Crime , Action
- Writers
- Shay Hatten , Michael Finch
- Studio(s)
- Lionsgate
- prequel(s)
- John Wick , John Wick: Chapter 2 , John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum
- Franchise(s)
- John Wick
