Sir Michael Caine may be stepping out of retirement at age 92 for an unexpected return to the big screen.
The legendary actor is in talks to reprise his role in a sequel to The Last Witch Hunter, with Lionsgate fast-tracking the project and Vin Diesel, 57, confirmed to return in the lead.
Caine, who announced his retirement from acting in 2023 after a seven-decade career, may once again play Dolan, the priestly confidant who aided Diesel’s immortal warrior Kaulder in battling a plague unleashed by a witch queen, according to Variety.
Released in 2015, The Last Witch Hunter was initially a passion project for Diesel, who drew inspiration from his own Dungeons & Dragons campaigns.
The film underperformed domestically, earning just $27 million (£20.8m) in North America, but found greater success overseas with $119 million (£91.6m) from international markets.
Over the past decade, it has developed a cult following through streaming and home entertainment, with a recent surge of popularity on Netflix helping pave the way for a sequel.
‘The Last Witch Hunter has grown since its theatrical release into a global fan favorite, with audiences continuing to discover and rewatch it across every platform over the past decade,’ said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson.
‘That enduring enthusiasm made clear there is an appetite for more stories set in this world. Vin and I have partnered many times over the years, and he is a true force in our industry.
‘I’m thrilled to be reuniting with him as he returns to this iconic role, and excited by how advancements in filmmaking technology now allow us to economically deliver a sequel on an even more ambitious scale.’
Vin Diesel – real name Mark Sinclair – is said to have been a close friend of Sir Michael’s ‘for decades.’
Earlier this summer, the pair were seen out for a meal together.
It was the first time Sir Michael has been photographed out and about in a wheelchair, with fans used to seeing him using a walking frame to aid his balance after a 2018 fall.
Joining the meal was Diesel’s long-time partner Paloma Jiménez and his two children.
Now, it seems likely the pair were discussing the possible upcoming sequel, which marks a surprising chapter in Caine’s career.
The veteran confirmed the news of his retirement on the release of his latest film, The Great Escaper, in which he plays an elderly man who escapes from a care home to attend the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings in France.
In an interview, on completing his last ever film, Sir Michael told the BBC: ‘I keep saying I’m going to retire. Well I am now.’
‘I’ve figured, I’ve had a picture where I’ve played the lead and had incredible reviews… What am I going to do that will beat this?’
Sir Michael added: ‘The only parts I’m liable to get now are 90-year-old men. Or maybe 85.
‘They’re not going to be the lead. You don’t have leading men at 90, you’re going to have young handsome boys and girls. So I thought, I might as well leave with all this.’
Now, it seems Caine is reconsidering that stance, potentially joining Diesel’s One Race Films production banner in reviving the fantasy franchise.
Details on plot and additional casting remain under wraps, but Lionsgate and Diesel are pushing to move quickly into development.
If finalized, the project would not only reunite Diesel and Caine but also mark a milestone: the return of one of Britain’s most celebrated actors for what could be his final big-screen role.
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