'John Wick 4': Donnie Yen Joins Keanu Reeves in Fourth Installment of the Blockbuster Action Movie Franchise

Action star Keanu Reeves will be joined by "Ip Man" star Donnie Yen in "John Wick 4," the fourth installment of the "John Wick" action franchise.

Donnie Yen will play the role of Keanu Reeve's old friend in the movie, who shared the same history and many of the same enemies, Deadline reported.

Keanu Reeves and Louise Rosner were known as the executive producers of "John Wick 4." The film is produced by Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, and its director Chad Stahelski.

The fourth installment of the popular action film franchise was reported to undergo production this summer, with Japan, France, and Germany as their locations.

Donnie Yen Joins Keanu Reeves in 'John Wick 4'

AV Club reported that Donnie Yen as John Wick's old friend would join the super assassin in his challenges, thrills, and triumphs in the film. However, the name of the character that Yen will play has yet to be released.

The announcement of Donnie Yen joining the cast of "John Wick 4" came after British-Japanese pop superstar Rina Sawayama was also reported to appear in the same installment of the film for a lead role, according to an IGN South Asia report.

"We are very lucky to have Donnie Yen join the franchise," said Stahelski, adding that he was excited to work with the "Ip Man" star in his exciting new role in "John Wick 4."

Iwanyk, on the other hand, noted that Yen's character will bring a "vibrant and powerful energy into the franchise."

"We were determined to bring him [Donnie Yen] on board to John Wick 4," said Iwanyk, adding that they were "thrilled" because a talented artist like Yen will collaborate with Keanu Reeves.

The producer's delight in Donnie Yen joining the cast can be considered worth it, as Yen made a name for himself in the action movie industry.

Apart from his role in "Ip Man" as a titular Wing Chun master who would later train Bruce Lee, Yen also appeared in Jet Li's "Hero" as he fought in a rain-soaked sword and spear fight against the protagonist of the film.

He was also cast as the blind guardian of the Whills, Chirut Imwe, in the movie "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story." Yen also appeared in the 2020 live-action remake of Disney's Mulan.

Keanu Reeves' 'John Wick 4'

"John Wick 4" will be the fourth installment of the popular action movie that first hit the big screens in 2014. The story began when Keanu Reeves played the role of John Wick who retired from his violent career after he married.

The sudden death of John Wick's wife left the assassin in deep mourning and began his bloodbath when the dog, that was left by his wife, was killed by a sadistic mobster Iosef Tarasov.

Apart from Donnie Yen announced being a part of Keanu Reeves' "John Wick 4," the fourth installment of the hit action movie was also reported to hit cinemas in 2022.

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