The blockbuster juggernaut John Wick reignited Keanu Reeves’ career with its unflinching action scenes and jaw-dropping stunt work while creating a cinematic universe. Four feature films told the story of the tenacious, fashionable dapper one-man killing machine, successfully earning $1.011 billion altogether. The universe later expanded in a limited series, The Continental on John Wick on Peacock starring Mel Gibson and Katie McGrath last September. Now the Wickverse continues in Ballerina starring Ana De Armas.
John Wick Passes Baton to the Ballerina
On September 26, 2024, Lionsgate released the official movie trailer for Ballerina, the first spinoff feature film of the John Wick franchise. Academy Award nominee Ana De Armas (The Gray Man, No Time to Die) stars in the titular role as Eve Macarro, a young dancer who’s experienced a similar family tragedy to John Wick. She is discovered in a bloodied state by Winston Scott. Ian McShane (Death Race, Pillars of the Earth) will be reprising his role.
Winston recruits her to join a secret society that appears to be an assassin boot camp. Eve is taught alongside a group of men and women how to handle firearms and fight efficiently by any means necessary. It’s possible she was brought into the fold of the Ruska Roma criminal organization, the same organization that made Wick the formidable force he became. The teaser’s second half showcases Eve’s capabilities since under the Roma’s tutelage as she lays waste to henchmen with keen proficiency. There is also a remix of one of Elton John’s iconic harmonies, “Tiny Dancer” which contributes to the tone of the Wickverse films.
The film’s timeline is set before the events of John Wick: Chapter 4 with reminders in the form of Ana De Armas’ character catching a glance at Wick descending a staircase and late acting legend Lance Reddick (The Wire, Angel Has Fallen) reprising his role as Charon, the Nigerian lead concierge for the Continental. This will mark Reddick’s last on-screen performance. Wick and Macarro eventually meet face-to-face, as she probes the gun-fu master assassin for advice on getting started in their line of work. In true Wick fashion, he simply replies that she already has.
Thoughts on Film Direction and Cast
While in conversation with Ana De Armas and the cast and crew of Ron Howard’s new thriller Eden at the Toronto International Film Festival, Collider was able to get her thoughts on working on Ballerina. The Blade Runner 2049 actress gushed “I’m very proud of it. It’s really exciting. It’s dangerous, it’s sexy, it’s very John Wick. There are going to be surprises for the Wickverse’s next chapter. Ballerina holds the potential and spirit to be an amazing spin-off.
Returning faces and new faces join De Armas, as expected, and will be joining the cast of the upcoming action thrill ride. The talented team includes Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead, The Bikeriders), Abraham Popoola (The Marvels, Cruella) Gabriel Byrne (The Usual Suspects, The Man in the Iron Mask), Anjelica Huston (The Addams Family, The Royal Tenenbaums) returning as the Director of the Ruska Roma, and Togo Igawa (The Hedgehog, Johnny English Reborn).
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina is directed by Len Wiseman of Underworld fame and produced by the co-director of all four John Wick films Chad Stahelski. The upcoming action blockbuster was set for an early release but was delayed due to reshoots Stahelski felt were needed to punch up the combat throughout the film. However, Ballerina looks just as high-octane as its predecessors and looks to be on track to arrive in theaters next year on June 6, 2025.
Final Thoughts
The John Wick movies quite literally changed how modern blockbuster films have shot their action scenes. Many of the crew members on these features have gone on to work, including Chad Stahlelski, who was fortunate enough to be hired as part of the second unit teams for Marvel movies like Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War.
It is thrilling to hear that John Wick: Chapter 4 hasn’t closed the book on the world of The Continental just yet. Ana De Armas has her proven talent to hold her own with an ensemble cast. She has first shown her abilities in her hit action film, Knives Out. De Armas continues to use her training for Ballerina, showing natural wielding of weapons and effortless fight choreography. 2025 is shaping up to be an incredible year for movie fans.
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