We still don’t know if there will be a fifth John Wick movie, but its protagonist will soon appear in a supporting role in Ballerina, the first spin-off for the action saga. And not only him, the movie led by Ana de Armas will feature several very special returns. Today we talk about this and much more in this special where we review the key points of the film.
Release date of Ballerina, from the John Wick universe
Lionsgate has scheduled the release of Ballerina for June 6, 2025. As with the last John Wick films, Diamond Films will distribute it in Spain. However, the film should have been released, as it initially had its cinema debut scheduled for mid-2024, a date it did not reach. Ultimately, almost a year behind the studio’s initial plan.
The story of Ballerina, from the John Wick universe. Synopsis
From the start, it was clear that the producers’ desire was to continue giving us revenge stories in the style of John Wick. Thus, in Ballerina we will follow the story of a very angry young woman who will do everything in her power to find out who is behind the death of her father and kill him.
“Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas) is an assassin trained by the Ruska Roma since childhood, the same criminal organization responsible for training John Wick (Keanu Reeves). In this violent revenge story, Eve will try by all means to find out who is behind her father’s murder. In her fight to find the truth, she will have to adhere to the rules of the High Table and, of course, to those of the Continental, where she will discover that there are hidden secrets about her past.” Synopsis of Ballerina, from the John Wick universe
Where does Ballerina fit in the John Wick timeline
After watching John Wick: Chapter 4, it was somewhat surprising to know that we were going to have the actor back for a spin-off. But the mystery was soon dispelled when it was known that Ballerina was going to tell a story halfway between the third and fourth film of the saga starring Keanu Reeves. It is expected, on the other hand, to be a spin-off where you can breathe a lot of its world, being able to see many of the iconic scenarios and characters of the successful franchise.
Ballerina didn’t start as a John Wick movie
Ballerina will allow us to see more of this world, and possibly delve into the origins of John Wick as the Ruska Roma have a prominent role in the plot, but initially, in truth, this was a much more independent story than the one its screenwriter, Shay Hatten, started playing with several years ago. Then, it joined in perfect harmony with the universe so well treated by Chad Stahelski: “But it’s really cool because that story wasn’t tied to the John Wick universe; it was set in a different part of the world.”
“The original script was set in the Swiss Alps, a territory that the John Wick movies have not touched. Therefore, I think, to a large extent, it meant that we could stick to this script without overlapping too much with John Wick. But [Eve] is also a character that we know attended the same ballet academy as John. I think in Ballerina you will see some clues of what John experienced during his origins in that place, but through the eyes of a different character. Still, it answers some of the questions about John Wick, but through the eyes of a new character.” ScreenRant
The actors and characters of Ballerina. Who we will see from John Wick
Ballerina stars Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro. The actress had already appeared in several action movies, like James Bond: No Time to Die, so there is interest in seeing how she handles taking the lead in a whole project. She will be accompanied in the film by Keanu Reeves as John Wick, but also by several returns and new castings that we list now:
- Ana de Armas as Eve
- Anjelica Huston as “The Director” (John Wick: Chapter 3)
- Lance Reddick as Charon, Continental receptionist
- Ian McShane as Winston Scott, Continental manager
- Keanu Reeves as John Wick, no introduction needed
- Gabriel Byrne as The Chancellor
- Norman Reedus as Pine
- Sharon Duncan-Brewster as Nogi
Catalina Sandino Moreno and David Castañeda complete the cast in roles that have not been detailed by the filmmakers yet.
Production team. Filming of Ballerina
Ballerina, from the John Wick universe started as an independent story written by Shay Hatten. Its script was later bought and adapted to the John Wick universe by Lionsgate for a movie in which director Len Wiseman, experienced in action movies after directing two films from the Underworld saga and Live Free or Die Hard, among other projects, was hired. Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, and Chad Stahelski are listed as producers of the film.
Ballerina, from the John Wick universe had a somewhat eventful filming. The movie began shooting on November 7, 2022, but it was not until the beginning of 2024 that it was considered finished, at least in terms of editing, its production, when several reshoots were filmed. Since then, the action thriller is in post-production and there have been no further setbacks in its development.
Will there be a Ballerina sequel?
This is Hollywood, and if everything goes well with Ana de Armas in this action thriller, there will be at least one sequel. Erica Lee, a producer of the John Wick saga, is considering it, although no further details of the possible film have been revealed so far. Additionally, remember, Lionsgate is working on other film and TV projects within the universe starring Keanu Reeves. It seems there will be John Wick for a while.
