The highly-anticipated John Wick spinoff, titled John Wick Presents: Ballerina, was initially slated for release this summer, but reshoots have led to a few delays. Ballerina is now set to arrive in summer 2025, and has fans eager to see Ana de Armas in the lead role. The actress recently opened up about the reason behind the reshoots and assured fans that a trailer would be released soon.
While at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) to promote her new film, Eden, this week, Ana de Armas spoke with Collider about the movie. She emphasized the importance of the reshoots and explained how crucial they were in making Ballerina more reminiscent of the John Wick series. De Armas also showed full confidence in producer Chad Stahelski, who is known for his expertise in crafting the most intricate and incredible action sequences.
“Every time they say you have reshoots, it’s not good. You don’t feel good about it. All we did in those reshoots had to be there. 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. 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 follows the story of a young assassin named Rooney, played by de Armas, who seeks revenge against those who killed her family. Much like its predecessors, the film will dive into the dark, gritty, and unflinching world of assassins. The cast includes familiar faces such as Anjelica Huston, who reprises her role from the third John Wick film as The Director; Ian McShane, reprising his role as Winston Scott, the manager of the New York outpost of the Continental Hotel; and the late Lance Reddick as Charon, beloved concierge and ally to John Wick. The old cast will be joined by newcomer Gabriel Byrne, who plays a mysterious antagonist, and Walking Dead star Norman Reedus.
Keanu Reeves Will Make a Cameo Appearance In Ballerina
Speaking of which, fans will also be thrilled to know that the action ensemble will feature a cameo from Keanu Reeves. Ballerina is set between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4, which means that Reeves’ character, John Wick, is still alive. The time placement is as exciting as it is intriguing because it allows seamless integration of the franchise’s iconic protagonist.
Ian McShane addressed the topic to clear any confusion about the ending of John Wick: Chapter 4 as well as fan speculation about a fifth movie:
“You didn’t want to set it after John Wick 4, because then you’d have social media saying, ‘Oh, so he’s still alive! What’s he going to do next time? Is there a John Wick 5?!’ This way, you can still keep up the pretense that there might not be a John Wick 5.”
He also mentioned that the reshoots weren’t exactly reshoots, but “new shoots” that Stahelski and the team wanted to work on because “they want to make it better. Because they have to protect it. Because Keanu’s in it as well.” Unlike the previous John Wick films, the spinoff is being directed by Len Wiseman, best known for the Underworld movies. Based on McShane and de Armas’ comments about the reshoots, it sounds like fans were right to be concerned about Wiseman’s involvement.
Overall, the John Wick spinoff promises to be filled with exhilarating action sequences, as confirmed by the cast and crew. With Ana de Armas, known for her roles in action films likeNo Time to Die and The Gray Man, in the lead, Ballerina could be a great addition to the John Wick franchise.
John Wick Presents: Ballerina
hits theaters on June 6, 2025.