In the world of action films, there exists a masterpiece that swiftly earned its place not only as a standout in the genre but also set a milestone that would forever alter the ways of action storytelling. This cinematic gem is none other than the John Wick franchise, created by Chad Stahelski and David Leitch, experienced stuntmen, and headlined by the iconic Keanu Reeves, celebrated for his legendary role in The Matrix series. While on the surface, the film’s premise – revolving around a retired assassin going on a vengeance-fueled spree triggered by the death of his dog – may seem strange, yet it has successfully served as one of the most acclaimed action-dramas so far.
Initially gaining traction as a word-of-mouth cult classic, John Wick quickly flourished into a series, featuring three equally outstanding sequels and the recently released prequel series, The Continental. As the anticipation builds for its planned fifth installment, the franchise takes another leap into an interconnected universe with a new related film titled Ballerina.
Set to become the first feature film spin-off for this action-packed saga, the film Ballerina, introduces a fresh protagonist following in the footsteps of John Wick, going deeper into the criminal underworld and potentially spilling more secrets about Wick’s mysterious past.
Despite introducing new characters and a distinct narrative, Ballerina promises the return of familiar faces, adding a layer of continuity to the expanding franchise.
Ian McShane, renowned for his role as Winston in all four John Wick films, recently provided insights into the forthcoming spin-off, shedding light on its timeline. Positioned between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4, Ballerina strategically avoids any speculation surrounding Keanu Reeves’ character’s fate in the latest chapter. “This one is set in between John Wick 3 and John Wick 4, because Keanu is in it, too. 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,” McShane told Collider.
He further revealed that Ballerina features Ana de Armas in the titular role, alongside Gabriel Byrne and the late actor Lance Reddick. “This time we’re protecting Ana de Armas, and I had my great friend, Mr. Lance Reddick. God bless you, Lance — he passed away last year. Lance and I bring our usual protection towards Ms. de Armas. And (director) Len (Wiseman) I found a delight to work for,” McShane shared.
With a world teeming with assassins boasting diverse skills, Ballerina introduces a myriad of threats. McShane also confirmed Gabriel Byrne as the antagonist. The official plot summary of Ballerina talks about a young female assassin seeking revenge for her family’s demise. Scheduled for a theatrical release on June 7, 2024, Ballerina promises to thrill audiences with its narrative and an exploration of the John Wick universe from a new perspective.
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