John Wick Presents: Ballerina Explained

Director:Len Wiseman
Story:Shay Hatten
Cinematography:Romain Lacourbas
Editing:Jason Ballantine
Distributor:Lionsgate
Country:United States
Language:English

John Wick Presents: Ballerina is an upcoming American neo-noir action thriller film directed by Len Wiseman, from a script written by Shay Hatten, Michael Finch, and Emerald Fennell, based on an original story by Hatten. It is a spin-off and the fifth film in the John Wick franchise, set between the events of (2019) and (2023). It stars Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Norman Reedus, Ian McShane, and Keanu Reeves. In the film, ballerina-assassin Rooney (Armas) hunts those who killed her family. This is Reddick's final screen role, which will be released posthumously in 2025.

Lionsgate acquired Hatten's spec script for the film in 2017, leading to him contributing to the final screenplay for Parabellum and then serving as the lead writer for Chapter 4. In October 2019, Wiseman was hired as director, with Chad Stahelski confirmed as a producer by May 2020. Ballerina was officially announced in April 2022, with de Armas confirmed to be replacing Unity Phelan, who portrayed the character in Parabellum, in the lead role; by that November, the rest of the main cast was rounded out. Principal photography began soon after, taking place in Prague, Czech Republic. Additional action sequences were shot starting in February 2024.

The film is scheduled to be released on June 6, 2025.

Premise

Taking place between the events of and Chapter 4,[1] ballerina-assassin Rooney hunts the murderers of her family.

Cast

Production

Development

In July 2017, Lionsgate Films acquired Shay Hatten's action thriller Ballerina, with Thunder Road Films producing the film with Hatten rewriting the script to be a part of the John Wick franchise, with the title character, Rooney, ultimately being written into the third main film, in a cameo role ahead of the production of Ballerina, portrayed by Unity Phelan.[4] At the end of the year, the script was voted onto The Black List of best unproduced screenplays in 2017.[5] By October 2019, Len Wiseman was hired to direct the film.[6] In May 2020, Stahelski stated that Wiseman had read the script earlier, and approached the studio with a pitch of how he would develop the project, based on Hatten's draft, for which the proof of concept had previously been uploaded to YouTube in September 2017.[7] Stahelski met with Wiseman, and approached executives to hire the filmmaker. He confirmed that he and his team will work closely with Wiseman on the action sequences and stunts for the film, while acknowledging that Wiseman's filmmaking style will add variety to the franchise. At that point, Wiseman and Hatten were working on a newer draft of the script.[8] By April 2022, Lionsgate officially announced the film at CinemaCon.[9] In July 2022, Emerald Fennell was hired to contribute to the script as one of its writers.[10]

Casting

In May 2020, it was reported that the studio was looking for an actress to star in the film, with Chloë Grace Moretz as the template for the kind of talent they were looking for.[11] By October 2021, Ana de Armas entered negotiations to play the titular character, a ballerina-assassin named Rooney, replacing Unity Phelan, who previously portrayed the character in (2019).[12] By April 2022 at CinemaCon, Lionsgate officially announced that de Armas would star in the lead role. In November 2022, it was announced that Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane, Lance Reddick, and Anjelica Huston had joined the cast and will reprise their roles from previous films of the franchise; as John Wick, Winston Scott, Charon, and "the Director", respectively;[13] [14] [15] [16] it also marks the third collaboration between de Armas and Reeves, having previously worked together in Knock Knock (2015) and Exposed (2016). In December 2022, Gabriel Byrne, Norman Reedus, and Catalina Sandino Moreno joined the supporting cast in undisclosed roles.[17] [18] [19] During reshoots in 2024, David Castañeda and Sharon Duncan-Brewster joined the cast.[20]

Filming

Initially scheduled to commence in summer 2022, principal photography officially began on November 7, 2022, in Prague, Czech Republic.[21] [22] Ballerina was in post-production in February 2023.[23] In February 2024, producer Chad Stahelski was working on additional action sequences for the film with director Len Wiseman.[24]

Music

The music score was composed in collaboration by Marco Beltrami and Anna Drubich, which they commenced on April 17, 2023.[25]

Marketing

The first marketing material for the film, shown at the 2024 CinemaCon convention, was a short teaser trailer released to the closed-door audience.[26] Entertainment Weekly reported that the trailer included Charon, Winston, Norman Reedus's undisclosed character, and Wick in a cameo appearance at the end.[27] There, it was revealed that the film's title had been appended from Ballerina to John Wick Presents: Ballerina.[28] [29] Bleeding Cool called the footage "exactly what CinemaCon dreams are made of".[30] Variety remarked that the trailer was "heavy on ass-kicking" and called the combat showcased "brutal", mentioning Rooney's use of a flamethrower during a sequence.[31]

Release

John Wick Presents: Ballerina is scheduled to be released in the United States and the United Kingdom on June 6, 2025.[32] It was previously scheduled to be released on June 7, 2024.[33]

Potential sequel

In March 2023, producer Erica Lee stated that the studio has tentative plans to develop a sequel starring Ana de Armas.[34]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mboho. Edidiong. Keanu Reeves Reveals When John Wick Spinoff Ballerina Takes Place. Collider. December 5, 2022. December 5, 2022. December 5, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221205212301/https://collider.com/john-wick-spinoff-ballerina-timeline-keanu-reeves-comments/. live.
  2. Web site: Lussier . Germain . John Wick Presents Ballerina Looks Like a Genuine Wick Flick . . April 10, 2024 . April 11, 2024 .
  3. Web site: Berman. Marc. Lance Reddick Dead: 'The Wire', 'Fringe' And 'John Wick' Star Was 60. Forbes. March 17, 2023. March 21, 2023. March 22, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230322100304/https://buy.tinypass.com/checkout/template/cacheableShow?aid=Yj2fRrCPpu&templateId=OTSKWFAWOVON&templateVariantId=OTVKX1L1AH8AY&offerId=fakeOfferId&experienceId=EX9SJ9TTBVAM&iframeId=offer_e6ced888860949bdf9c3-0&displayMode=inline&pianoIdUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fauth.forbes.com%2Fid%2F&widget=template&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com. live.
  4. Web site: Borys. Kit. Lionsgate Plotting John Wick Universe With Ballerina Action Script (Exclusive). July 25, 2017. The Hollywood Reporter. September 25, 2019. May 25, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190525152744/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lionsgate-plotting-john-wick-universe-ballerina-action-script-1024318. live.
  5. Web site: The Black List 2017 Screenplays: Post-WWII Tale 'Ruin' Is No. 1 – Full Rankings. Hipes. Patrick. December 11, 2017. Deadline Hollywood. https://web.archive.org/web/20171213020936/http://deadline.com/2017/12/2017-black-list-scripts-ranking-list-screenplays-1202222558/. December 13, 2017. live. April 27, 2022.
  6. Web site: Mike Jr.. Fleming. Len Wiseman Set To Direct Female-Centric John Wick Spinoff Ballerina. October 8, 2019. Deadline Hollywood. October 23, 2019. October 31, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201031082908/https://deadline.com/2019/10/john-wick-spinoff-ballerina-len-wiseman-directs-female-centric-keanu-reeves-1202754898/. live.
  7. Ballerina: Proof of Concept Action Design – Female John Wick. September 27, 2017. Rimburg. Vlad. September 27, 2017. live. YouTube. Vlad Rimburg. June 12, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190612145112/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_uTIzQIjSs.
  8. Web site: Filmmaker Chad Stahelski on John Wick 4 and His Matrix 4 Involvement. The Hollywood Reporter. Davids, Brian. May 20, 2020. November 10, 2022. November 10, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221110163209/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/chad-stahelski-john-wick-4-his-matrix-4-involvement-1296473/. live.
  9. Web site: Ana de Armas Confirmed to Star in John Wick Spinoff Ballerina. ComicBook.com. Anderson. Jenna. April 28, 2022. November 10, 2022. November 10, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221110163210/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/ana-de-armas-confirmed-star-john-wick-spinoff-ballerina/. live.
  10. Ana's Getaway. Elle. Meltzer. Marisa. July 13, 2022. November 10, 2022. November 8, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221108234012/https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a40574846/ana-de-armas-interview-2022/. live.
  11. Web site: Ballerina: John Wick Spinoff Eyeing Chloë Grace Moretz In Lead Role. Full Circle Cinema. Campell, Jacob. May 5, 2020. November 10, 2020. February 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210225220320/https://fullcirclecinema.com/2020/05/04/ballerina-john-wick-chloe-grace-moretz-lead/. live.
  12. Web site: Ana De Armas In Talks To Lead John Wick Spinoff Ballerina; Movie Spearheads Bumper AFM Slate For Lionsgate. Deadline. Wiseman, Andreas. October 28, 2021. November 10, 2021. December 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221209221004/https://deadline.com/2021/10/ana-de-armas-john-wick-spinoff-ballerina-no-time-die-lionsgate-afm-1234864553/. live.
  13. Web site: Kit. Borys. Ian McShane Joins Ana de Armas in Lionsgate's John Wick Spinoff Ballerina (Exclusive). November 8, 2022. The Hollywood Reporter. November 8, 2022. November 8, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221108193041/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/john-wick-spinoff-ballerina-casts-ian-mcshane-1235257847/?_thumbnail_id=1235257775. live.
  14. Web site: Lovitt. Maggie. Keanu Reeves Returns as John Wick in Ballerina Spinoff [Exclusive]]. November 8, 2022. Collider. November 8, 2022. March 21, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230321175238/https://gum.criteo.com/syncframe?origin=publishertag&topUrl=collider.com&gdpr=0&gdpr_consent=. live.
  15. Web site: Anjelica Huston Joins Ana de Armas in Lionsgate's John Wick Spinoff Ballerina (Exclusive). The Hollywood Reporter. Kit, Borys. November 21, 2022. December 8, 2022. December 5, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221205130723/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/anjelica-huston-ana-de-armas-john-wick-spinoff-ballerina-1235267567/. live.
  16. Web site: Lance Reddick to Reprise John Wick Role in Ana de Armas-Led Spinoff Ballerina (Exclusive). Variety. Rubin, Rebecca. December 2, 2022. December 8, 2022. December 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221209120941/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/lance-reddick-john-wick-spinoff-ballerina-1235447985/. live.
  17. Web site: Ana De Armas 'John Wick' Spinoff 'Ballerina' Adds Catalina Sandino Moreno. Deadline. D'Alessandro, Anthony. December 7, 2022. December 7, 2022. December 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221207205918/https://deadline.com/2022/12/ana-de-armas-john-wick-spinoff-ballerina-catalina-sandino-moreno-1235192462/. live.
  18. Web site: D'Alessandro. Anthony. Walking Dead Star Norman Reedus Joins John Wick Spinoff Ballerina. Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. December 13, 2022. December 13, 2022. December 13, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221213215248/https://deadline.com/2022/12/walking-dead-norman-reedus-ballerina-john-wick-spinoff-1235198189/. live.
  19. Web site: 'John Wick' Spinoff 'Ballerina' Expands Troupe With Gabriel Byrne. D'Alessandro. Anthony. December 20, 2022. December 20, 2022. December 20, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221220181437/https://deadline.com/2022/12/john-wick-ballerina-gabriel-byrne-ana-de-armas-1235203520/. live.
  20. Web site: David Castañeda & Sharon Duncan-Brewster Board Lionsgate's 'Ballerina' Amid Reshoots. Grobar. Matt. March 6, 2024. March 6, 2024. March 6, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240306224013/https://deadline.com/2024/03/ballerina-movie-adds-david-castaneda-sharon-duncan-brewster-to-cast-1235847530/. live.
  21. Web site: John Wick spinoff Ballerina, with Ana de Armas and Keanu Reeves, kicks off Prague shoot. The Prague Reporter. Pirodsky, Jason. November 5, 2022. November 5, 2022. November 16, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221116194208/https://www.praguereporter.com/home/2022/11/5/john-wick-spinoff-ballerina-with-ana-de-armas-and-keanu-reeves-kicks-off-prague-shoot. live.
  22. Web site: Lionsgate Flirting with Major John Wick Video Game. IndieWire. Welk, Brian. November 5, 2022. November 8, 2022. April 5, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230405040351/https://www.indiewire.com/2022/11/john-wick-video-game-lionsgate-1234779107/. live.
  23. Web site: Peralta. Diego. This Is Why Keanu Reeves Wanted John Wick: Chapter 4 to Remain a Theatrical Release. Collider. en. February 15, 2023. February 15, 2023. February 15, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230215214839/https://collider.com/john-wick-4-keanu-reeves-theatrical-release-comments/. live.
  24. Web site: D'Alessandro. Anthony. February 21, 2024. 'Ballerina' Dances Into Summer 2025 As 'The Crow' Swoops Into John Wick Spinoff's June 2024 Date. Deadline Hollywood. February 22, 2024.
  25. Web site: Marco Beltrami & Anna Drubich to Score Len Wiseman's 'Ballerina'. Film Music Reporter. April 17, 2023. April 18, 2023.
  26. Web site: D'Alessandro . Anthony . Tartaglione . Nancy . 'John Wick' Spinoff' 'Ballerina' First Look Drops At Lionsgate's CinemaCon Session; Keanu Reeves Appears In Clip . . April 10, 2024 . April 10, 2024 .
  27. Romano . Nick . Ana de Armas' Ballerina meets Keanu Reeves' John Wick in fiery CinemaCon footage . . April 10, 2024 . April 11, 2024 .
  28. Web site: Lussier . Germain . John Wick Presents Ballerina Looks Like a Genuine Wick Flick . . April 10, 2024 . April 11, 2024 .
  29. Web site: Truitt . Brian . He's back! Keanu Reeves' John Wick returns in the Ana de Armas action spinoff 'Ballerina' . . April 10, 2024 . April 11, 2024 .
  30. Web site: Booth . Kaitlyn . Ballerina Footage Is Exactly What CinemaCon Dreams Are Made Of . . April 10, 2024 . April 11, 2024 .
  31. Web site: Lang . Brent . Ana de Armas Kicks Serious Ass and Meets Keanu Reeves' John Wick in 'Ballerina' CinemaCon Trailer . . April 10, 2024 . April 11, 2024 .
  32. Web site: D'Alessandro. Anthony. February 21, 2024. 'Ballerina' Dances Into Summer 2025 As 'The Crow' Swoops Into John Wick Spinoff's June 2024 Date. February 22, 2024. Deadline Hollywood. February 22, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240222000720/https://deadline.com/2024/02/ballerina-john-wick-spinoff-the-crow-release-date-1235833533/. live.
  33. Web site: D'Alessandro. Anthony. 2023-04-04. 'John Wick' Ana de Armas Spinoff 'Ballerina' Sets Summer 2024 Date. 2023-04-04. Deadline. en-US. April 4, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230404171358/https://deadline.com/2023/04/ballerina-release-date-john-wick-1235317656/. live.
  34. Web site: New 'John Wick'-Universe Film in Development [Exclusive]]. Collider. Oddo, Marco Vito. March 27, 2023. March 27, 2023. March 27, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230327152447/https://collider.com/new-john-wick-universe-film-producer-erica-lee-comments/. live.

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