Ballerina – How Ana de Armas’ Assassin Expands the John Wick Universe

MOVIE PREVIEW – When Ballerina spins into the ever-growing world of John Wick, it doesn’t just branch out – it pirouettes into its own spotlight. Directed by Len Wiseman (Underworld) and starring Ana de Armas (Knives Out) with ferocious intensity, the film both honors the franchise’s sleek brutality and paves the way for a fresh take on the Wick mythos. Ballerina marks the first entry in the series without Keanu Reeves’ John Wick at the center – but his spirit, his theme, and his presence still linger throughout.

The story unfolds between John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4, placing Eve Macarro in the spotlight – a ballet-trained assassin, driven by grief and revenge, who previously appeared briefly in the third installment. Now, she’s front and center, fighting her way through a snow-covered Eastern European criminal underworld controlled by the Ruska Roma – an organization led by The Director (Anjelica Huston), first glimpsed in earlier films, now fully fleshed out. With flamethrower duels, grenade battles, and emotionally raw performances, Ballerina offers a bold new approach to John Wick-style action: one that emphasizes grace, emotion, and transformation.

Screenrant sat down with the film’s director, cast, and producers ahead of its summer release. As we unpack how the story ties into Wick lore, introduce its fierce lead, and explore where the franchise is headed, one thing is certain: Ballerina isn’t just a footnote in an established canon. If you’re curious about how the franchise has evolved over the past decade, check out my John Wick 10th Anniversary cover story.

Bleeding Through the Dance – When the Background Becomes the Spotlight

Ballerina deftly weaves its story between the chaos of Chapter 3 and the reckoning of Chapter 4 without unraveling the existing narrative. “I think it was clever of them to include her because you’ve already seen the character in Chapter Three” – explained Ian McShane, reprising his role as Winston, the manager of the iconic New York Continental. “Introducing a female assassin as the lead was really smart. If you want to expand the universe, this was the right move – especially since it’s a familiar face.”

Director Len Wiseman meticulously crafted the first Wick film led by a new protagonist. In our interview, he said, “There’s no official franchise bible,” but the concept, his enthusiasm, and the entry point for audiences came from conversations with Chad Stahelski – the creator of the franchise – and Thunder Road Films, led by producer Basil Iwanyk. He added: “I liked that we rebuilt the sets, so we didn’t reuse footage from Chapter 3 – instead, we see the same scenes from a different angle. It was thrilling when, during screenings, audiences started whispering, ‘Wait, isn’t that the scene Ana was in?’ I love that stuff.”

This approach allows fans to revisit familiar moments from a fresh perspective without retreading old ground. Interestingly, John Wick wasn’t even part of the earliest drafts. “We wrote tons of versions without John… then we decided to try it. He read the script and said, ‘This is pretty fucking cool.’ Then he added, ‘I think it needs more action at the end.’” – recalled producer Basil Iwanyk.

Grief, Revenge, Ballet – Eve’s Soul and Body Are Both at War

This new chapter in the Wick timeline aligns with Chad Stahelski’s long-term vision, as he stated in our anniversary retrospective: “We wanted to expand the universe not just in terms of action, but also through character and mythology.” Ballerina threads a fresh narrative into the tapestry with surgical precision.

That depth extends to returning characters. “My character’s known hers since she was a little girl… there’s a connection that spans the entire film,” McShane revealed, referencing the layered history between Winston and Eve. Unlike Wick, whose grief is recent, Eve carries long-buried trauma. Ana de Armas told us: “This character is going through immense pain – pain she’s suppressed her entire life. She never knew what happened to her father.”

“What I loved was how she uses all that pain, frustration, and uncertainty about her family and her life to fuel her revenge.” Eve brings a different energy to the Wick universe – less stoic, more human. “She’s desperate to prove herself, and she kind of enjoys the chaos,” said Iwanyk, who also noted that Ana didn’t just accept the physical training – she embraced it. “She’s got a huge heart and she’s an incredible actress.”

“She’s fierce and powerful… audiences are going to love her and root for her.”

The Secrets of the Ruska Roma – Where Grace and Death Collide

Anjelica Huston, reprising her role as The Director, echoed the sentiment: “She’s fierce and powerful… audiences are going to love her and root for her.” Norman Reedus, who joins the cast as a mysterious new character, also praised their on-set chemistry: “She’s very serious, but also a lot of fun to be around.”

Eve may be a killer among killers, but her mission is laced with empathy – a duality that sets her apart. Ballerina explores the inner workings of the Ruska Roma, the secretive syndicate introduced in Parabellum and led by The Director. Here, the line between elegance and brutality is razor thin. “This film gives a deeper look into the powerful and enigmatic Ruska Roma at the Tarkovsky Theater in New York,” Huston shared via email. “You’ll see ballet training, combat training, and ritual tattoo ceremonies.”

“She’s a surrogate mother to many students. As the head of a globally renowned, glamorous theater, she exudes grace, regality, and authority. She expects perfection from herself and her pupils. She’s a joy to play – with elaborate costumes, jewelry, and command. She’s the boss who makes the calls.”

Behind the Curtain – The Hell of Training

Len Wiseman was intrigued by what lies beneath the surface of the organization. “I wanted to show what really goes on behind the veil,” he said. That includes the emotional and physical transformation of young recruits like Eve. “We’ve only seen glimpses of the Ruska Roma. John visited The Director for help, but now we’re showing what actually happens inside. What does the training look like? What’s it like for someone entering for the first time, as Ana’s character does? There were so many layers to explore – the core of the Ruska Roma, and how ballet connects to assassin training.”

Franchise producer Erica Lee added: “We’re diving deeper into the Ruska Roma and Eve’s past, and this mysterious city where all these assassins live.” This exploration deepens both the mythology and the characters’ motivations. “There’s a kind of surrogate mother dynamic… I wanted to show The Director’s darker side,” Wiseman explained.

John Wick Returns – A New Perspective, Lasting Impact

Yes, Keanu Reeves returns as John Wick – but not just for a shallow cameo. “We’re revisiting iconic moments from a different viewpoint… and audiences start whispering, ‘Oh shit, is that where Ana was during this?’” Wiseman recalled, describing reactions during test screenings. This layered approach rewards long-time fans who’ve been paying attention.

Winston and The Director return as pivotal characters. McShane shared that Winston has known Eve since she was a child. “She doesn’t realize it until later. Then she returns. So there’s a thread between them from start to finish – it wasn’t in the original version but added later in reshoots.”

Norman Reedus, a fan of the franchise, enters the Wick-verse as Daniel Pine. “Norman Reedus has been on our wish list for ages… we definitely want more of him,” said Erica Lee. Pine is a layered character. “He has two sides – he can be fierce and gentle. In this world, killers have families too. Sometimes, killing and protecting mean the same thing,” Reedus told us via email.

“I’d return to the John Wick universe in a heartbeat!” Reedus added enthusiastically.

Fire, Ice, and Commitment – Reinventing Wick-Style Action

Ballerina may carry the Wick DNA, but it fearlessly evolves it. “The flamethrower scene… I’ve never seen anything like it – mixing fire and water felt so authentic to the Wick world,” Ana de Armas told us. The result? One of the most inventive, intense set pieces in the franchise’s history.

“It was one of the scenes we shot later during additional photography. It was amazing to add that – visually stunning, very physically demanding, and something I’d never seen on screen before. It was dangerous and a little scary, but so cool. We had a separate stunt team dedicated just to fire – the best in the world.” – de Armas

Wiseman wanted the action to feel original. “What if we did a grenade fight indoors… like a snowball fight?” he joked. These aren’t just gimmicks – they raise the creative bar set by previous films. Stahelski also contributed to designing the action for additional sequences.

Location plays a huge role in choreography. “We built the fights around the environment… so we could do a kitchen brawl with plates, knives, freezer gags – things we’d never done before,” added Erica Lee. The cold Eastern European backdrop becomes a character in itself.

And it’s not just about choreography – it’s about the star’s dedication. “She was all in. Some actors say, ‘I’ll train for two weeks,’ but she said, ‘I’m in for the full ride,’” said Iwanyk. That dedication elevates every punch, every pirouette – and cements Ballerina as a worthy entry in the franchise.

The Future Is Hers – Where the Wick-Verse Might Go Next

The John Wick universe is branching out – with a Donnie Yen-led spin-off about Caine from Chapter 4 in the works, and John Wick: Chapter 5 officially confirmed by Lionsgate. But Eve Macarro’s journey is far from over. “Do I see Eve as the future face? I hope the audience embraces her and the movie. If they want more, we’ve got plenty to give,” said Iwanyk.

Erica Lee agreed: “I’d love to give her a full trilogy… that’s been the vision all along.” Even Keanu Reeves has ideas for Ballerina 2.

As for what’s next: “We’re working on the Donnie Yen spinoff – that’ll probably be first,” Lee said. Still, the producers are cautious not to fall into a rigid Marvel-style roadmap. “Wick 5 is a work in progress… we want to stay flexible,” Iwanyk noted.

Keanu Reeves’ future in the role remains uncertain, even if Chapter 5 starts a new Wick story. Ian McShane offered perspective: “Who knows if there’ll be a fifth. That’s up to Keanu. John Wick 5 lives or dies with him. The franchise? We’ll see. I hope this film is great for her, great for everyone. We all win if it succeeds.”

-Gergely Herpai “BadSector”-

Source: Screenrant