After back to back releases Mortal Kombat and Zack Snyder's Army of the Dead, Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada has been cast to play an important role in Keanu Reeves's John Wick 4, made by Lionsgate. The duo had previously shared screenspace in 2013's 47 Ronin.

Chad Stahelski is returning to direct the action sequel, which has also added Donnie Yen (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), Shamier Anderson (Stowaway) and Japanese-British popstar Rina Sawayama. It was recently revealed that Bill Skarsgård is also in talks for a role.

Sources say that Sanada will be playing a key character known as Watanabe, but, rest of the information has been kept under wraps. 

Shay Hatten (Army of the Dead) and Michael Finch (American Assassin) have penned the script of John Wick 4, which Stahelski is producing with Basil Iwanyk, and Erica Lee, while Reeves is executive producing alongside Louise Rosner. Production of the film is slated to start this summer in France, Germany and Japan.