Summary
John Wick Presents: Ballerinastar Norman Reedus teases the movie’s new fight scenes. Serving as a spinoff of the hitJohn Wickfranchise starring Keanu Reeves, the upcoming film is directed by Len Wiseman with Ana de Armas in the lead role.Ballerina’s release datewas originally set for 2024, but the film, which also features performances from Reeves, Ian McShane, Lance Reddick, and Anjelica Huston, was delayed to 2025 earlier this year to allow for reshoots to take place.
In a recent interview withCollider, Reedus, whose character inBallerinahas not been identified, reveals that he just recently returned from filming additional action scenes for theJohn Wickspinoff. According to the actor, audiences should expect an action-packed ride. Check out Reedus' full comment below:
“It was painful. [Laughs] I just got back from Budapest where we added more fight scenes to it. So, I went from Japan to Budapest, back to Japan basically. It’s high-octane. It’s a cool story, it’s well-acted, visually stunning, but it’s just like bang, bang, bang, bang, bang.”
Ballerina’s New Action Scenes Explained
Why The John Wick Spinoff Was Delayed By A Year
Other thanThe Continentalspinoff show,Ballerinawill be the first project in theJohn Wickfranchise not to be directed by Chad Stahelski. Stahelski, a former stuntman, has been crucial to bringing the franchise’s signature brand of action to life. After the big success of theacclaimedJohn Wick: Chapter 4last year,Stahelski signed a new first-look deal with Lionsgate in early 2024 that gives him creative oversight over the larger franchise universe.
It remains unclear whether Reeves and Stahelski will reunite forJohn Wick 5.
Reports suggest thatStahelski and key creatives involved in theBallerinaproduction, including Wiseman, were in agreement that the film needed a little extra work. To make the spinoff as strong as possible, it was decided that new action scenes would be filmed. Addressing the delay and the reshoots,McShane said earlier this yearthatthe new filming is meant to “make [the movie] better” and “protect” the largerJohn Wickbrand.
Ballerina’s Release Delay Is Good News For Avoiding The First John Wick Spinoff’s Problems
John Wick spinoff Ballerina has been delayed a whole year, but instead of being a bad sign, it will help it avoid The Continental’s mistakes.
While it’s undoubtedly disappointing thatBallerinawas pushed back a whole year, it’s a positive sign that the creatives involved recognize the importance of making the movie as good as possible.The Continental’s reviews, for example, were somewhat lukewarm, and that show features action that is a noticeable step down compared to Stahelski’s installments.John Wick Presents: Ballerinawill be a key indicator of whether the franchise can succeed without Stahelski as director, and hopefully, the reshoots mean the film will feature the strong action the franchise is known for.
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina
Cast
Ballerina follows Eve Macarro during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, as she undergoes rigorous training in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma. The film expands on the John Wick universe, charting Eve’s initiation into the clandestine world of professional assassins.
