BALLERINA Trailer (2025) Ana de Armas, Keanu Reeves

BALLERINA Trailer (2025) Ana de Armas, Keanu Reeves

BALLERINA Trailer (2025) Ana de Armas, Keanu Reeves, From the World of John Wick Spin-off
© 2024 - Lionsgate

From the World of John Wick: Ballerina

Official logo
Directed by Len Wiseman
Written by Shay Hatten[a]
Based on Characters
by Derek Kolstad
Produced by
Basil Iwanyk
Erica Lee
Chad Stahelski
Starring
Ana de Armas
Anjelica Huston
Gabriel Byrne
Lance Reddick
Catalina Sandino Moreno
Norman Reedus
Ian McShane
Keanu Reeves
Cinematography Romain Lacourbas
Edited by Jason Ballantine
Music by
Tyler Bates
Joel J. Richard
Production
companies
Summit Entertainment
Thunder Road Films
87North Productions
Distributed by Lionsgate
Release date
June 6, 2025
Country United States
Language English
Budget $50 - 80 million
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina (or simply Ballerina) is an upcoming American neo-noir action thriller film directed by Len Wiseman and written by Shay Hatten. It is the fifth film in the John Wick franchise, serving as a spin-off set between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4. It stars Ana de Armas in the lead role, alongside Gabriel Byrne, Catalina Sandino Moreno and Norman Reedus in supporting roles. Anjelica Huston, Lance Reddick (in his final screen appearance), Ian McShane, and Keanu Reeves reprising their roles from the previous films.

Lionsgate acquired Hatten's spec script for the film in 2017, leading to him contributing to the final script for Parabellum and 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 December, 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.

Ballerina is scheduled to be released on June 6, 2025.

Premise
Taking place between the events of Parabellum and Chapter 4,[2] Eve Macarro, a ballerina-assassin, begins to train in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma and sets out to exact revenge for her father's death.[3]

Cast
Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro, a ballerina who is beginning to train in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma.[3] According to co-star Ian McShane, the character is under the protection of Winston and Charon in the New York Continental Hotel during the course of the film.[4]
Anjelica Huston as "the Director"[5]
Gabriel Byrne as the Chancellor,[6] the main antagonist of the film who leads a town against Macarro.[4][7]
Lance Reddick as Charon, the concierge at the Continental Hotel in New York and friend of Winston Scott and acquaintance of John Wick.[8] This was Reddick's final appearance as Charon, and overall final on-screen appearance released posthumously.[9]
Catalina Sandino Moreno[10]
Norman Reedus as Pine, a mysterious man.[11] Reedus admired Keanu Reeves due to the demanding, "I-need-a-bottle-of-Advil-all-day-long type of job" the film series was. Reedus contrasted the tightly choreographed fight scenes in the film from the "loose" and "sloppy" ones in his series The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon (2023–present).[12]
Ian McShane as Winston Scott, the enigmatic owner of the Continental Hotel and friend of John Wick.[13]
Keanu Reeves as John Wick, a professional hitman and legendary assassin who has gained a reputation for his skills and is on the run from the High Table.
Sharon Duncan-Brewster appears as Nogi, who instructs Eve and other trainees.[14] David Castañeda also appears.[15]

Production
Development

Ana de Armas was cast in 2021 to play the titular character, a ballerina-assassin named Eve Macarro.
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 concepts of Ballerina ultimately being written into the third main film, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019), with a ballerina portrayed by Unity Phelan making an appearance.[16] At the end of the year, the script was voted onto The Black List of best unproduced screenplays in 2017.[17] By October 2019, Len Wiseman was hired to direct the film.[18] 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.[19] 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.[20] By October 2021, Ana de Armas entered negotiations to play the titular character, a ballerina-assassin.[21] By April 2022, Lionsgate officially announced the film at CinemaCon, and said that de Armas would star in the lead role.[22] In July 2022, Emerald Fennell was hired to contribute to the script as one of its writers.[23]

Filming
Initially scheduled to commence in summer 2022,[22] principal photography officially began on November 7, 2022, in Prague, Czech Republic.[24][13][25] Throughout the month and in early December, it was announced that Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane, Anjelica Huston, and Lance Reddick had joined the cast and will reprise their roles from previous films of the franchise; as John Wick, Winston Scott, "the Director", and Charon, respectively;[13][26][5][8] Throughout December, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Norman Reedus, and Gabriel Byrne joined the supporting cast in undisclosed roles.[10][27][28] During filming, Reeves was not able to adjust his shooting schedule to accept Lucasfilm's offer to play Jedi Master Sol in the Disney+ limited Star Wars series The Acolyte (2024), resulting in that part going to Lee Jung-jae instead.[29] Ballerina was in post-production in February 2023.[30] In February 2024, producer Chad Stahelski was working on additional action sequences for the film with director Len Wiseman.[31] By March, David Castañeda and Sharon Duncan-Brewster joined the cast.[15] Reportedly, Chad Stahelski oversaw two to three months of reshoots, refilming the majority of the movie, with Wiseman not present on set.[32] Star Norman Reedus traveled from Japan to film his added fight scenes in Budapest.[12]

Music
By September 2024, Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard were attached to compose the score for the film.[33] Marco Beltrami and Anna Drubich were originally composing the score after being hired by April 2023.[34][33]

Marketing
The first marketing material for the film, shown at the April 2024 CinemaCon convention, was a short teaser trailer released to the closed-door audience.[35] Entertainment Weekly reported that the trailer included Charon, Winston, Norman Reedus's undisclosed character, and Wick in a cameo appearance at the end.[36] There, its title was presented as John Wick Presents: Ballerina.[7][37] Bleeding Cool called the footage "exactly what CinemaCon dreams are made of".[38] On September 26, 2024, the film's first trailer was released by Lionsgate, where the movie's official title was revealed to be From the World of John Wick: Ballerina.[39]

Release
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina is scheduled to be released in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom on June 6, 2025.[40]

Potential sequel
In March 2023, producer Erica Lee stated that the studio has plans to develop a sequel with de Armas reprising her role.[41]

Notes
Rebecca Angelo, Lauren Schuker Blum, Emerald Fennell, Michael Finch and Len Wiseman are credited by the Writers Guild of America West with "additional literary material (not on-screen)".[1]
References
"Ballerina". Writers Guild of America West. August 16, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
Mboho, Edidiong (December 5, 2022). "Keanu Reeves Reveals When John Wick Spinoff Ballerina Takes Place". Collider. Archived from the original on December 5, 2022. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
McArdle, Tommy (September 26, 2024). "Ana de Armas Kicks Ass and Meets Keanu Reeves' John Wick in Eye-Popping Ballerina Trailer". People. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
McPherson, Chris (January 22, 2024). "Ian McShane Reveals Why 'Ballerina' Has to Be Set Before 'John Wick 4'". Collider. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
Kit, Borys (November 21, 2022). "Anjelica Huston Joins Ana de Armas in Lionsgate's John Wick Spinoff Ballerina (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 5, 2022. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
Ouellette, Jennifer (September 26, 2024). "Tiny dancer: Ana de Armas is a fierce assassin in Ballerina trailer". Ars Technica. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
Lussier, Germain (April 10, 2024). "John Wick Presents Ballerina Looks Like a Genuine Wick Flick". Gizmodo. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
Rubin, Rebecca (December 2, 2022). "Lance Reddick to Reprise John Wick Role in Ana de Armas-Led Spinoff Ballerina (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
Berman, Marc (March 17, 2023). "Lance Reddick Dead: 'The Wire', 'Fringe' And 'John Wick' Star Was 60". Forbes. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 7, 2022). "Ana De Armas 'John Wick' Spinoff 'Ballerina' Adds Catalina Sandino Moreno". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
Holub, Christian (September 26, 2024). "Ana de Armas enters the John Wick universe in first Ballerina trailer". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
McPherson, Chris (June 11, 2024). "Norman Reedus Teases the "High Octane" Action Scenes in 'From the World of John Wick: Ballerina'". Collider. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
Borys, Kit (November 8, 2022). "Ian McShane Joins Ana de Armas in Lionsgate's John Wick Spinoff Ballerina (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 8, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
Paul, Larisha (September 26, 2024). "Ana de Armas Joins John Wick's Criminal Underworld in 'Ballerina' Trailer". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
Grobar, Matt (March 6, 2024). "David Castañeda & Sharon Duncan-Brewster Board Lionsgate's 'Ballerina' Amid Reshoots". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 6, 2024. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
Kit, Borys (July 25, 2017). "Lionsgate Plotting John Wick Universe With Ballerina Action Script (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 25, 2019. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
Hipes, Patrick (December 11, 2017). "The Black List 2017 Screenplays: Post-WWII Tale 'Ruin' Is No. 1 – Full Rankings". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
Fleming, Mike Jr. (October 8, 2019). "Len Wiseman Set To Direct Female-Centric John Wick Spinoff Ballerina". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
Campell, Jacob (May 5, 2020). "Ballerina: John Wick Spinoff Eyeing Chloë Grace Moretz In Lead Role". Full Circle Cinema. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
Davids, Brian (May 20, 2020). "Filmmaker Chad Stahelski on John Wick 4 and His Matrix 4 Involvement". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 10, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
Wiseman, Andreas (October 28, 2021). "Ana De Armas In Talks To Lead John Wick Spinoff Ballerina; Movie Spearheads Bumper AFM Slate For Lionsgate". Deadline. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
Anderson, Jenna (April 28, 2022). "Ana de Armas Confirmed to Star in John Wick Spinoff Ballerina". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on November 10, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
Meltzer, Marisa (July 13, 2022). "Ana's Getaway". Elle. Archived from the original on November 8, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
Pirodsky, Jason (November 5, 2022). "John Wick spinoff Ballerina, with Ana de Armas and Keanu Reeves, kicks off Prague shoot". The Prague Reporter. Archived from the original on November 16, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
Welk, Brian (November 5, 2022). "Lionsgate Flirting with Major John Wick Video Game". IndieWire. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
Maggie, Lovitt (November 8, 2022). "Keanu Reeves Returns as John Wick in Ballerina Spinoff [Exclusive]". Collider. Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 13, 2022). "Walking Dead Star Norman Reedus Joins John Wick Spinoff Ballerina". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 20, 2022). "'John Wick' Spinoff 'Ballerina' Expands Troupe With Gabriel Byrne". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on December 20, 2022. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
Sneider, Jeff (August 23, 2024). "Inside the Decision to Cancel 'The Acolyte,' Who Nearly Played Sol, and the Future of Lucasfilm". The InSneider. Archived from the original on August 24, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
Peralta, Diego (February 15, 2023). "This Is Why Keanu Reeves Wanted John Wick: Chapter 4 to Remain a Theatrical Release". Collider. Archived from the original on February 15, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
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. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
"Studio Slump: Lionsgate's Last 6 Films Have All Been Box Office Busts". The Wrap. October 14, 2024. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
"Tyler Bates & Joel J. Richard Scoring 'John Wick' Spin-Off Film 'Ballerina'". Film Music Reporter. September 25, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
"Marco Beltrami & Anna Drubich to Score Len Wiseman's 'Ballerina'". Film Music Reporter. April 17, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
D'Alessandro, Anthony; Tartaglione, Nancy (April 10, 2024). "'John Wick' Spinoff' 'Ballerina' First Look Drops At Lionsgate's CinemaCon Session; Keanu Reeves Appears In Clip". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
Romano, Nick (April 10, 2024). "Ana de Armas' Ballerina meets Keanu Reeves' John Wick in fiery CinemaCon footage". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
Truitt, Brian (April 10, 2024). "He's back! Keanu Reeves' John Wick returns in the Ana de Armas action spinoff 'Ballerina'". USA Today. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
Booth, Kaitlyn (April 10, 2024). "Ballerina Footage Is Exactly What CinemaCon Dreams Are Made Of". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
Franklin, McKinley; Moreau, Jordan (September 26, 2024). "'Ballerina' Trailer: Ana de Armas Meets John Wick, Slices Necks and Douses a Flamethrower in Badass Spinoff". Variety. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
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. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
Oddo, Marco Vito (March 27, 2023). "New 'John Wick'-Universe Film in Development [Exclusive]". Collider. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
External links
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina at IMDb Edit this at Wikidata
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Films directed by Len Wiseman
Categories: Upcoming films2025 films2025 action thriller films2020s American films2020s English-language films87North Productions filmsAmerican action thriller filmsAmerican films about revengeFilm spin-offsFilms about assassinationsFilms about balletFilms directed by Len WisemanFilms produced by Basil IwanykFilms scored by Tyler BatesFilms shot in BudapestFilms shot in PragueFilms with screenplays by Shay HattenJohn WickInterquel filmsLionsgate filmsSummit Entertainment filmsThunder Road Films filmsUpcoming English-language filmsEnglish-language action thriller films
Ana de Armas showed off her action movie bonafides in a scene-stealing performance in the most recent James Bond film, Spectre. Now she’s joined another iconic franchise, this time as the lead.

From the World of John Wick: Ballerina is set between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4 and stars de Armas as Eve Macarro, who is “beginning her training in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma,” per the official plot synopsis. In other words, she’s a ballerina assassin (it’s a big year for ballerina hybrids).

You can watch the trailer above.

From the World of John Wick: Ballerina also stars Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Norman Reedus, and from the John Wick films, Ian McShane, the late Lance Reddick, and, yes, Keanu Reeves.

“I’m in pain,” de Armas said about filming Ballerina last year. “My body, my back, everything hurts. I’m sore, I’m bruised.” She also described what it’s like doing stunt work with John Wick himself. “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.”

From the World of John Wick: Ballerina opens in theaters on June 6, 2025.
The first trailer for Lionsgate’s Ballerina has arrived.

The clip shows Ana de Armas’ younger self being recruited by Ian McShane to train at an elite assassin academy under an intense instructor portrayed by Sharon Duncan-Brewster.

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From the world of John Wick, the film takes place during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019) as Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas) begins her training in the school of the Ruska Roma.

Set to Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer,” only at the end of the clip does de Armas’ Macarro confront “the one they call Baba Yaga” — Keanu Reeves’ John Wick. The cast also includes Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, the late Lance Reddick, Catalina Sandino Moreno and Norman Reedus.

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The film was originally slated to arrive June 7, 2024, but it was delayed a year to June 6, 2025 for it’s theatrical release date. Directed by Len Wiseman from a script by Shay Hatten and based on characters by Derek Kolstad, the movie is produced by Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee and Chad Stahelski.

RELATED: ‘John Wick’ Spinoff’ ‘Ballerina’ First Look Drops At Lionsgate’s CinemaCon Session; Keanu Reeves Appears In Clip

Stahelski signed a new deal with Lionsgate to oversee the John Wick franchise, and the architect of the original Keanu Reeves films worked with director Wiseman on even more action sequences for the film, which are evident in the trailer.

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John Wick Chapter 3: Parabellum

We’ve been waiting for Ana de Armas to get a proper action movie ever since she was one of the standout Bond women in “No Time to Die.” Now she’s joining another iconic action franchise: the “John Wick” universe.

“Ballerina,” a spinoff movie within the “John Wick” franchise, has finally landed a trailer from Lionsgate. The long-awaited project originated as an original story by screenwriter Shay Hatten back in 2017; the script was re-written to bring it into the “Wick” universe of assassins. The titular ballerina killer was briefly introduced in “John Wick 3: Parabellum.”

Unlike Peacock’s “Wick” prequel series “The Continental,” “Ballerina” is set in between the events of the third and fourth “John Wick” movies and even features brief appearances from both Keanu Reeves and the late Lance Reddick. As Lionsgate film group president Adam Fogelson previously confirmed, the film avoids the fate of John Wick as revealed in the fourth film.

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De Armas leads “Ballerina” as a young female assassin and ballerina who seeks revenge on those who killed her family. The highlights of the trailer include de Armas wielding a flamethrower, getting a massive back tattoo, and asking the Baba Yaga (Reeves) himself for advice.

“How do I start doing what you do?,” de Armas’ character asks Reeves’ Wick, who responds, “Looks like you already have.”

“Ballerina” also stars returning “John Wick” actors Ian McShane and Angelica Huston, along with Norman Reedus, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, and Gabriel Byrne. The film is directed by Len Wiseman, known for “Underworld,” “Live Free and Die Hard,” and “Lucifer.”

Reeves told Screen Rant that his return to the Wick character made sense for “Ballerina.”

“I felt that there was a cool handoff of stewardship,” Reeves said, “and it was fun to put the suit on again, however briefly. There’s a reason for [John] to be in ‘Ballerina’; it’s very organic.”

De Armas also told Collider that the reshoots, which delayed the film’s release by a year, turned out to be “really spectacular.” Returning “John Wick” director Chad Stahelski helmed the additional action sequences.

“All we did in those reshoots had to be there,” de Armas said. “We got amazing footage. It’s really spectacular. A trailer is coming out soon, I’ve been told. I saw it, and it’s beautiful.”

She added, “I’m very proud of it. It’s really exciting. It’s dangerous, it’s sexy, it’s very ‘John Wick.’ I think people are going to be surprised. I’m biased. Of course, I like the movie, but I think it’s really cool. It’s going to be amazing.”

“Ballerina” opens in theaters June 6, 2025. Check out the first trailer below.

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Ana de Armas is slaying the world of John Wick.

The Oscar nominee, 36, stars as a killer ballerina in From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, a spinoff of the franchise starring Keanu Reeves, who makes a cameo in the teaser that dropped Thursday, Sept. 26.

Per a synopsis, the film takes place during the events of 2019's John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum. De Armas plays Eve Macarro, who is "beginning her training in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma."
The cast also includes Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Norman Reedus and Ian McShane. Ballerina is directed by Len Wiseman.

Keanu Reeves Calls 'John Wick: Chapter 4' His 'Hardest Physical Role' Ever: They 'Trained Me Up'
Ana de Armas as Eve in Ballerina.
Ana de Armas in "Ballerina". Courtesy of Lionsgate
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"I'm very proud of it. It's really exciting. It's dangerous, it's sexy, it's very John Wick," de Armas previously told Collider of the film. "I think people are going to be surprised. I'm biased. Of course, I like the movie, but I think it's really cool. It's going to be amazing."
The new movie was originally intended to release in June 2024; Deadline previously reported that it was delayed so Chad Stahelski, who has directed every other John Wick entry, could work with Wiseman further on the movie's action sequences.

Despite John Wick: Chapter 4's ambiguous ending, Reeves himself is expected to continue playing the assassin in the franchise's main series. Lionsgate executive Joe Drake confirmed that movie was in the works during a May 2023 earnings call, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Another spin-off, the series The Continental: From the World of John Wick, starred Colin Woodell and Mel Gibson and debuted on Peacock in 2023.

From the World of John Wick: Ballerina is in theaters June 6.
Ana de Armas is out for revenge in the first trailer for “Ballerina,” the “John Wick” spinoff set to release on June 6, 2025.

In the action thriller, de Armas plays Eve Macarro, a Ruska Roman ballerina seeking retribution against a group of hitmen who murdered her family. “Ballerina” takes place in between the events of “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum” and “John Wick: Chapter 4,” spotlighting the female assassin who made only a brief appearance in the third “Wick” movie and was originally played by Unity Phelan.

The trailer shows the origins of de Armas’ Eve, who’s on her own quest for vengeance. She kicks plenty of ass, slices someone’s neck with an ice skate and douses a flamethrower with a high-powered hose. At the end of the trailer, she even meets Baba Yaga himself, John Wick.

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“Ballerina” will also feature franchise leader Keanu Reeves as Wick. As writer Shay Hatten told Collider, Reeves plays a substantial role in the film, with Wick being “a real character, and not just kind of a one-piece cameo.” Other actors joining “Ballerina” include returning “Wick” players Ian McShane, Anjelica Huston and the late Lance Reddick. Gabriel Byrne, Catalina Sandino Moreno and Norman Reedus are also among the cast.

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“From the World of John Wick: Ballerina” comes on the heels of the fourth “John Wick” entry, the highest-grossing installment in the series yet with more than $440 million worldwide. The series has ventured into spinoffs before, with Peacock’s prequel miniseries “The Continental,” led by Mel Gibson, premiering in September 2023.

Len Wiseman directs “Ballerina,” which is written by Hatten and based on characters created by Derek Kolstad. Kaley Smalley Romo executive produces, alongside producers Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee and Chad Stahelski, who helmed all four “John Wick” films.

Watch the official trailer below.

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Ana de Armas is out for blood in “Ballerina,” the upcoming spinoff to Lionsgate’s successful “John Wick” franchise. And she’s got a question for Keanu Reeves.

“How do I start doing what you do?” she asks the legendary hit man. “Looks like you already have,” Reeves notes wryly.

The trailer that Lionsgate shared during its presentation to theater owners and executives at CinemaCon on Wednesday was heavy on ass-kicking, with de Armas’ assassin making short work of several assailants, torching a truck with a flamethrower, leaping from moving vehicles and engaging in brutal hand-to-hand combat in a burning building. Think de Armas’ bone-crunching sequence in “No Time to Die” stretched over feature length with a much, much higher body count. She also dances, sticking a landing like Margot Fonteyn when not wielding firearms.

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The movie unfolds between the events of “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum” and “John Wick: Chapter 4.” The film follows de Armas, who plays a ballerina-assassin (that old chestnut!), hunting down the murderers of her family. Reeves’ appearance drew loud applause from the theater owners he’s made a lot of money for over the decades.

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“Ballerina” surrounds de Armas with some familiar faces in the “Wick”-verse, including Lance Reddick, Ian McShane and Anjelica Huston, who have all appeared in previous installments. “There is an anger in you,” Huston observes of de Armas. “You seek vengeance on those who harmed you.”

Here’s betting de Armas gets it when Ballerina” opens on June 6, 2025.

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Washington [US]: Lionsgate has released the highly anticipated first trailer for 'Ballerina', a thrilling addition to the 'John Wick' universe.
The trailer shared by Lionsgate Movies' official social media handles, showcases Ana de Armas in her role as Eve Macarro, a young woman recruited to train at an elite assassin academy.

Watch: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAYtNX4i5sZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=35d60ef7-352a-437e-96fc-0e616f65ea68

Under the guidance of a fierce instructor played by Sharon Duncan-Brewster and mentor Ian McShane, she embarks on a rigorous journey to master the art of assassination.
Set during the events of 'John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum' (2019), the film takes viewers deeper into the shadowy world of the Ruska Roma, a secret society of assassins.
The trailer features a haunting rendition of Elton John's classic 'Tiny Dancer,' culminating in a climactic encounter between de Armas' character and the legendary John Wick, portrayed by Keanu Reeves.

Also Read: https://www.thehawk.in/news/showbiz/hollywood/holy-hollywood-batman-is-the-first-superhero-with-a-walk-of-fame-star

In addition to de Armas and Reeves, the film boasts a formidable cast including Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, the late Lance Reddick, Catalina Sandino Moreno, and Norman Reedus, according to Deadline.
Originally scheduled for release on June 7, 2024, 'Ballerina' has been postponed to June 6, 2025.
Directed by Len Wiseman, the film is based on a script by Shay Hatten, drawing on characters created by Derek Kolstad.
As per Deadline, the production team features Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, and Chad Stahelski, who has recently renewed his partnership with Lionsgate to oversee the 'John Wick' franchise.
Stahelski, known for his work on the original 'John Wick' films, collaborated with Wiseman to enhance the film's action sequences.

—ANI

Ruska Roma assassins
Keanu Reeves
John Wick franchise
Ballerina trailer
Ana de Armas
Lionsgate Movies
Ballerina movie 2025
Lionsgate has released the highly anticipated first trailer for 'Ballerina', a thrilling addition to the 'John Wick' universe. The trailer shared by
Ballerina gets its first trailer, revealing Ana de Armas in the upcoming John Wick spinoff movie. Directed by Len Wiseman, the upcoming film sees de Armas playing an assassin named Eve who goes on a quest for revenge after the murder of her family. Featuring Keanu Reeves and Ian McShane reprising their roles as Wick and Winston, respectively, Ballerina's cast includes a mix of familiar faces and newcomers alike, including Anjelica Huston, Norman Reedus, Gabriel Byrne, David Castañeda, Catalina Sandino Moreno, and the late Lance Reddick as Charon.

Now, Lionsgate releases the first trailer for From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, providing a first look at the action-packed new expansion of the John Wick universe. The trailer provides a first look at Eve's training and her adoption of the assassin lifestyle, teasing a bloody path of revenge as she takes down enemies in the signature franchise style. The trailer also provides a look at the return of Reeves, McShane, and Reddick, who will seemingly all guide Eve on her journey in different ways. Check out the trailer below:

What The Ballerina Trailer Means For The John Wick Franchise
How Big Is Keanu Reeves' Role In The Film?

Reeves' Wick seemingly died at the end of John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023), but Ballerina takes place between the third and fourth films in the franchise. Though Wick's appearance in the trailer is treated as a grand reveal, it has been confirmed that Reeves' return is more of a cameo than a supporting role. As with Winston, the trailer suggests that Wick will serve as something of a mentor to Eve, or at least someone that she looks up to, since he went on a similar path of revenge to the one that she's currently on.

Ana-de-Armas-as-Paloma-from-No-Time-to-Die-&-Keanu-Reeves
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Thankfully, Ana de Armas’ John Wick Movie Won’t Fall Into A Typical Spinoff Trap
It's hard not to be cautiously excited about Ballerina, but the Ana de Armas John Wick film is on the right track to be better than most spin-offs.

Crucial to any project in the John Wick universe is the action, and the Ballerina trailer provides some idea of what to expect in this regard. As the director of all four John Wick movies, Chad Stahelski has been a critical ingredient to the franchise's style of action. Though Stahelski doesn't direct Ballerina, he does serve as the creative overseer of the franchise, and the film did undergo some reshoots and additional photography that he was more heavily involved in, which could suggest that the action sequences will be up to franchise standards.

In addition to Ballerina, the John Wick franchise is set to further expand with a spinoff about Donnie Yen's Caine, and a TV show called Under the High Table.

The trailer also introduces some new figures into the franchise. Norman Reedus's Ballerina character, for example, is new to the franchise, and he will seemingly serve as an ally to Eve during her travels. Sharon Duncan-Brewster is another newcomer, and she looks to play an important role in the Ruska Roma as a trainer to new ballerina assassins. The trailer also teases that Eve will be facing off against a particularly dangerous, flamethrower-wielding assassin, though it's not clear who plays him.

Our Take On The Ballerina Trailer
Ana de Armas Has What It Takes
Ana de Armas looking sad as Eve in Ballerina
Though reviews for The Continental spinoff were somewhat mixed, with that show arguably failing to capture what makes the John Wick movies so great, Ballerina looks to have a lot more in common with the Reeves films. In terms of its action, characters, and general presentation, Ballerina looks and feels like a John Wick movie.

Reeves himself is a major reason for the franchise's success, and, after The Continental's poor reception, the upcoming spinoff will be a key indicator regarding whether it can continue to succeed without him. De Armas, from the trailer at least, certainly looks to have the makings of a strong assassin character, and she already has proven action hero chops after her memorable appearance in No Time to Die (2021). Hopefully, Ballerina has what it takes to be a worthwhile expansion of the hit franchise.

Source: Lionsgate

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Ballerina is a spinoff movie set in the universe of John Wick. Ana de Armas will play the titular role, a character who appeared in John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum as a child ballerina who was being trained to become an assassin eventually. In Ballerina, the story follows de Armas' character, who wants revenge on those who murdered her family.

Director
Len Wiseman
Release Date
June 7, 2024
Studio(s)
Summit Entertainment , Thunder Road Films , 87Eleven Productions
Distributor(s)
Lionsgate
Writers
Shay Hatten , Emerald Fennell
Cast
Ana De Armas , Anjelica Huston , Gabriel Byrne , Lance Reddick , Catalina Sandino Moreno , Norman Reedus , Ian McShane , Keanu Reeves
Franchise(s)
John Wick
Sequel(s)
John Wick: Chapter 4
prequel(s)
John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum , John Wick: Chapter 2 , John Wick
Main Genre
Action