1 Attachment(s)
Ballerina: Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane Join John Wick Spin-off Movie
According to Collider, Keanu Reeves is currently in Prague and set to reprise his role as John Wick in the John Wick spinoff film starring Ana de Armas. This report comes on the heels of the announcement that the Ballerina film will also see Ian McShane return to the franchise as Winston, the manager of The Continental Hotel. Producer Basil Iwanyk described McShane’s role as “pivotal.” It is not yet clear if Reeves' reprisal will be a cameo, or if he will have a larger part in the overarching plot of Ballerina.
“We’re thrilled to have Ian McShane joining us for a pivotal role in Ballerina,” said producer Basil Iwanyk. “He’s been such an integral part of the franchise since the original John Wick. It’s been fun to have him on this journey as the Wick universe expands.”
The project was first announced in 2019, following the theatrical debut of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, which gives us the first look at the Ballerina assassins who are being trained by the Ruska Roma syndicate led by Anjelica Huston’s character. Currently, it is unknown if the film will take prior to the events of John Wick or if it might fit in closer to the upcoming fourth installment. Stahelski might not be directing Ballerina, but he has returned to the project alongside Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee.
Ballerina focuses on a young female assassin who seeks revenge against the people who killed her family. It will be directed by Len Wiseman from a screenplay written by Shay Hatten (Army of the Dead). The movie will be overseen by James Myers for Lionsgate. The spin-off is produced by Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, Keanu Reeves, and Chad Stahelski. In John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, John (Keanu Reeves) comes across what could be the titular ballerina, or, at least, where the new character likely comes from.
Since the first John Wick film landed in theaters in 2014, the Chad Stahelski-helmed franchise has grown exponentially, with three additional films—including John Wick 4—as well as two spinoff projects. Ballerina is currently filming in Prague, with Len Wiseman (Underworld, Live Free or Die Hard) directing the screenplay by Shay Hatten. Also on the horizon is the John Wick prequel series, The Continental, which will be debuting on Starz as a three-part limited series. The show will focus on the titular hotel and the early years of Winston's life.
The first three installments in the action-heavy vengeance franchise have been commercially successful, grossing a combined $587 million worldwide. Lionsgate is currently in post-production for John Wick: Chapter 4, which is slated to hit the theaters on March 24, 2023.
