Summary

• Ballerina brings fresh action to the John Wick universe, featuring Ana de Armas as a lethal ballerina seeking vengeance.
• Starring iconic actors like Ian McShane and Norman Reedus, Ballerina expands the John Wick universe post-Chapter 4.
• Delayed to 2025, Ballerina is a highly anticipated spin-off with visually arresting settings.

Ballerina, the new spin-off from the John Wick universe, made a striking impression at a recent CinemaCon event. The event attendees were treated with new Ballerina footage, promising a seamless continuation of the franchise’s fast-paced saga. Starring Ana de Armas, the film introduces a fresh narrative arc set within the established universe, positioning itself between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum and Chapter 4.

In this upcoming action thriller, Ana de Armas stars as Rooney, a ballerina with lethal skills embarking on a path of vengeance. The presented footage provided a glimpse into Rooney’s dual existence, showcasing her graceful ballet skills juxtaposed with intense combat training. The audience saw scenes set in diverse locations, from a serene snow-covered landscape to the grim confines of a basement, showcasing the film's dynamic and visually arresting settings.

Ballerina not only continues the narrative of the infamous assassin universe but also marks an important expansion. Despite Keanu Reeves supposedly bowing out after the last installment, the latest snippets from Ballerina confirm that John Wick will return, albeit briefly. This makes sense in the timeline between the third and fourth films.

Notable appearances include Anjelica Huston, reprising her part as The Director, who plays a key role in Rooney's transformation and quest for vengeance. Ian McShane and the late Lance Reddick also return as Winston and Charon, linking the new film directly to the familiar world of the Continental Hotel. Alongside de Armas, the film also features Gabriel Byrne, known for The Usual Suspects, David Castañeda of The Umbrella Academy, and Norman Reedus, best recognized as Daryl Dixon from The Walking Dead. Reedus' role, in particular, was intriguingly hinted at in the latest footage, adding a layer of anticipation among fans.

Ballerina Takes the John Wick Saga to New Heights with Enhanced Action Sequences

The fresh footage unveiled at CinemaCon has not only reinvigorated interest but also revealed the high stakes and intense action sequences that define the John Wick universe. Slated for a 2025 release, the delay in Ballerina’s premiere suggests that additional care is being taken to refine its action scenes and narrative arcs, promising a cinematic experience that could surpass its predecessors.

Ian McShane explained that the delay in the release of the film is to allow the addition of new action sequences that align with the high standards of the John Wick saga. McShane stated:

"It's not reshoots, it's new shoots. They're shooting for Ballerina, which is the spinoff with Ana de Armas of the John Wick franchise. You know, it's like they've got to protect the franchise. And obviously I did it, when was it? We did it about a year ago, we did the movie Ballerina, and they've looked at it, and Chad's [Stahelski] come in, the guy who directed all the John Wick movies, and they want to make it better. Because they have to protect it."

This comes after an already intense and painful shoot. As Ana de Armas told Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon early last year, "We've been in Prague filming for four months, we still have one more month to go, and I'm in pain. My body, my back, everything hurts. I'm sore, I'm bruised." And she said of Keanu Reeves:

This man is just rolling and throwing me and doing these crazy stunts, and I'm like, 'I can't complain anymore. I'm done.' Because he's doing it. He truly is the best.

The Previous John Wick Spin-Off Got Blasted by the Cast

McShane, Stahelski, and pretty much everyone involved in the John Wick universe is very protective of the franchise. Perhaps that's why the previous spin-off of the movies, The Continental, was derided by many of them. McShane told us that he, Stahelski, and even Keanu Reeves weren't contacted about the series and that it was a "cash grab." He said:

"No, I wouldn’t watch it. I have no intentions - nobody - I don’t think Keanu watched it, neither has Chad. It had nothing to do with our movies. It’s just a question of a TV company cashing in on the series and taking the option to [air?]. They never asked us about anything, so why would I be interested in seeing it? I’m afraid their arrogance in getting the show out is beyond me, so I wish them well. I think it’s come and gone, hasn’t it?"

Ballerina, in contrast, is being handled by familiar John Wick talent and with a lot of care. It's a pivotal release for the John Wick franchise. Ballerina represents the first major theatrical expansion of the universe after the conclusion of John's personal saga, and as such, is hotly anticipated. It also reunites Reeves and de Armas after their electrifying performances in Knock Knock. ScreenRant attended CinemaCon and reported on the footage.