Deadline is reporting that fan-favorite Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada (The Last Samurai; The Wolverine; Avengers: Endgame) has joined the cast of Lionsgate's hotly-awaited action sequel John Wick: Chapter 4, where he'll reunite with his 47 Ronin co-star Keanu Reeves (The Matrix; Speed).
“Having long admired Hiroyuki as both actor and action performer, I’m thrilled and honored to welcome him to the John Wick family,” said director Chad Stahelski in a statement provided to DHD.
Sanada is the latest addition to an all-new supporting cast consisting of Donnie Yen (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story; xXx: The Return of Xander Cage), newcomer Rina Sawayama, Shamier Anderson (Wynonna Earp; Goliath), and Bill Skarsgård (It; Deadpool 2; The Devil All The Time).
No word on any potential returning cast members, but it seems likely that a combination of Halle Berry, Ian McShane, Laurence Fishburne, Asia Kate Dillon, Lance Reddick, and Jason Mantzoukas will also be back in some capacity, reprising their roles from John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum.
Chad Stahelski will return to the director's chair, this time utilizing a screenplay from Shay Hatten and Michael Finch. Stahelski co-directed the first installment with David Leitch, but was the sole director on Chapter 2 and Chapter 3.
Plot details remain locked away in the deepest corners of The Continental, but filming is scheduled to begin later this summer on location in France, Germany, and Japan.
John Wick: Chapter 4 is currently scheduled to hit theaters on May 27, 2022.