John Wick spin-off from Underworld director features Ana de Armas playing a vengeful ballerina-assassin
Ballerina is an upcoming action-thriller film directed by Len Wiseman for Lionsgate. It serves as the first spin-off film from the John Wick universe created by Derek Kolstad which began in 2014. The events of Ballerina take place between the third installment of the John Wick franchise, Chapter 3 – Parabellum, and the fourth film from 2023. Wiseman is best known for directing the first Underworld film starring Kate Beckinsale and its 2006 sequel. He also directed Live Free or Die Hard and 2012's Total Recall. Ballerina is penned by John Wick screenwriter Shay Hatten who previously co-wrote the screenplays for Chapter 3 and Chapter 4. Original John Wick director Chad Stahelski produces Ballerina alongside Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, both of whom produced previous John Wick entries. The Witcher cinematographer Romain Lacourbas handles the film's cinematography.
Ana de Armas leads Ballerina as Rooney. Unity Phelan previously played the character in Chapter 3. de Armas is an Academy Award-nominated actress who earned the nom in 2022 for her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in Blonde. She's also starred in Blade Runner 2049, Knives Out and No Time to Die.
Several cast members from the John Wick universe appear in Ballerina including titular lead Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane as the Continental Hotel owner Winston Scott, Anjelica Huston as The Director and the late Lance Reddick as concierge Charon in his final appearance as the beloved character. Ballerina marks the third collaboration between de Armas and Reeves after having worked together on 2015's Knock Knock and Exposed the following year.
The supporting cast includes Gabriel Byrne, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Norman Reedus, David Castañeda and Sharon Duncan-Brewster.