Michael Caine, 92, is coming out of retirement to reprise his role in The Last Witch Hunter 2 opposite Vin Diesel, Variety confirmed Monday.
The sequel to the 2015 fantasy film will be produced by Lionsgate and Diesel’s One Race Films, with the studio saying the original has grown into "a global fan favorite" since its theatrical release. Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson said in a statement that sustained audience interest across platforms showed "there is an appetite for more stories set in this world," and that advances in filmmaking technology make it possible to produce a more ambitious sequel economically.
Breck Eisner, who directed the first film, is attached to return. The Last Witch Hunter originally followed an immortal witch hunter, played by Diesel, who joins forces with a priest, the 36th Dolan, played by Caine, to stop a plague with catastrophic consequences. The 2015 cast included Rose Leslie, Elijah Wood, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson and Julie Engelbrecht.
Variety’s report did not provide a production schedule or release date, and representatives for Caine did not immediately comment when reached by The Post. The confirmation follows remarks from Lionsgate emphasizing the film’s long-tail popularity and Diesel’s ongoing involvement as both star and producer.
The announcement marks Caine’s first onscreen return since he said in 2023 that he was retiring from acting at age 90 while promoting The Great Escaper, a film about a World War II veteran. On BBC Radio 4’s Today show at the time, Caine said, "I keep saying I’m going to retire. Well, I am now," adding that he had "had a picture where I’ve played the lead and it’s got incredible reviews" and that future roles would likely be limited to "old men."
Caine and Diesel have maintained a close personal and professional relationship for years. In his memoir Don’t Look Back, You’ll Trip Over, published in March, Caine described meeting Diesel at a dinner party and writing, "Vin’s special. I love Vin." Photographs from public appearances in 2025 show the two together with family and at social events in London.
The Last Witch Hunter’s blend of urban fantasy and action has found renewed attention across streaming and home platforms, a factor Lionsgate cited in its decision to move forward with a sequel. The studio noted that contemporary visual-effects and production techniques would allow a sequel "on an even more ambitious scale."
Details about casting beyond Caine and Diesel, the creative team, financing and a production timetable have not been released. The first film’s performance at the box office was modest, but its longevity on digital platforms and among genre fans appears to have convinced executives there is a viable audience for a follow-up.
As development proceeds, additional announcements are expected about casting and the production schedule. Lionsgate’s involvement and Diesel’s role as a producing partner position the sequel to move into preproduction once creative and logistical details are finalized.