Michael Caine Comes Out of Retirement at 92 for Vin Diesel’s ‘Last Witch Hunter 2’

Michael Caine, 92, is reportedly considering a return to acting with Last Witch Hunter 2, reprising his role as Dolan, the priest who aids Kaulder, the warrior played by Vin Diesel. While a deal has not yet been finalized, Caine is expected to join the project, which is being fast-tracked in development by Lionsgate and Diesel’s production company, One Race Films.

The original Last Witch Hunter, released in October 2015, was a personal project for Diesel, who adapted his own Dungeons & Dragons campaigns to create the character Melkor, the Witch Hunter. The film earned $27 million in North America, with stronger international box office returns of $119 million, demonstrating a more favorable reception overseas.

The film’s resurgence on digital platforms, including its popularity on Netflix, was a key factor in Lionsgate deciding to develop a sequel ten years later. Adam Fogelson, chairman of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, stated, “‘The Last Witch Hunter’ has become a global fan favorite, with audiences continuing to discover and rewatch it across all platforms over the past decade. That enduring enthusiasm made it clear there is an appetite for more stories set in this universe.”

Caine’s return is especially notable. In 2023, he announced his retirement, explaining that he wanted to step away from acting after receiving acclaim for films like The Great Escaper, in which he played a World War II veteran escaping his care home to commemorate the D-Day anniversary. At the time, Caine said the roles available to him were mainly older men, and he preferred to retire while his work was still appreciated.

Returning to the Last Witch Hunter franchise gives Caine a chance to play an active and dynamic role in a genre blending action and fantasy, far from typical elderly roles. For Vin Diesel, the sequel represents the continuation of a project he considers a true creative legacy and provides an opportunity to explore new stories within the magical world of witch hunters.

The production is expected to take advantage of advances in visual effects and cinematography to deliver a more ambitious and visually striking sequel than the original. With Caine and Diesel leading the cast, Lionsgate aims to replicate the first film’s international success and cement the saga as a contemporary fantasy franchise.