The John Wick universe is about to get even more explosive as Ana de Armas prepares to go head-to-head with Keanu Reeves in the highly anticipated spin-off Ballerina. In a recent interview, the Knives Out and No Time to Die star opened up about her intense training regimen and what fans can expect from her showdown with Reeves’ iconic assassin, calling her co-star “absolutely relentless” in their action sequences.
A New Assassin Enters the Fray
Set between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4, Ballerina follows de Armas as Rooney, a deadly dancer-assassin seeking vengeance for the murder of her family. The film expands the John Wick mythology by delving deeper into the secretive ballet academy that trains elite killers—first introduced in Chapter 3 with Angelica Huston’s Director character.
For de Armas, the role marks her first full-fledged action lead after scene-stealing turns in No Time to Die and The Gray Man. “This isn’t just about looking cool with a gun,” she teased. “Rooney is a survivor, someone who’s been shaped by loss and trained to be a perfect weapon. When she crosses paths with John Wick, it’s not just physical—there’s real emotional stakes.”
“He Doesn’t Know How to Go Half-Speed” – De Armas on Facing Off Against Reeves
The most electrifying revelation from de Armas’ interview concerns her blistering fight sequences with Reeves, who reprises his role as the legendary Baba Yaga. “Keanu doesn’t have an off switch,” she laughed. “We’d rehearse these intricate fight scenes, and he’d just keep going take after take, making it more intense every time. I’d say, ‘Keanu, my shins can’t take another kick!’ and he’d grin and say, ‘But it looks so good!'”
Early reports suggest their confrontation will be a John Wick franchise first—a prolonged duel between two equally matched assassins with contrasting styles. Where Wick relies on judo and precision gunplay, Rooney’s background in ballet informs her fluid, acrobatic combat. “It’s like watching a violent waltz,” director Len Wiseman (Underworld) has described it.
Training Like a Wick-Assassin
To prepare for the role, de Armas underwent a brutal six-month training program that included:
- Ballet conditioning (4 hours daily with former American Ballet Theatre dancers)
- Gun kata (the franchise’s signature gun-fu style)
- Knife combat with John Wick stunt coordinator Scott Rogers
- Parkour and wirework for the film’s showstopping set pieces
“I broke two toes,” de Armas revealed. “But in the John Wick world, that’s basically a rite of passage.” Her dedication mirrors Reeves’ infamous commitment—the actor famously trained for months to perform 95% of his own stunts in Chapter 4.
Expanding the Wick-Verse
Ballerina represents a strategic expansion of the $1 billion-grossing franchise, with producer Basil Iwanyk confirming plans for more spin-offs. The film also stars:
- Gabriel Byrne as Rooney’s mentor
- Catalina Sandino Moreno (Maria Full of Grace) as a mysterious ally
- Ian McShane returning as Winston
- The late Lance Reddick in one of his final performances as Charon
Notably, the script was polished by John Wick creator Derek Kolstad, ensuring tonal consistency with the main series. Early test screenings reportedly described the film as “John Wick meets La Femme Nikita,” with a stronger emphasis on emotional storytelling between action beats.
Why This Faceoff Could Redefine Action Cinema
The John Wick series has consistently raised the bar for fight choreography, but Ballerina promises something unprecedented:
- The First Female-Led Wick Film – While the franchise has featured formidable women (Halle Berry’s Sofia, Rina Sawayama’s Akira), this marks its first female protagonist.
- Dance as Combat – The ballet-trained assassin concept allows for never-before-seen movement vocabulary in action scenes.
- Wick as Antagonist? – Trailers hint that Reeves’ character may initially oppose Rooney, creating fascinating moral ambiguity.
Industry analysts predict Ballerina could mirror the success of Deadpool or Joker—spin-offs that outgrossed their parent franchises. With de Armas’ star power post-Blonde Oscar nomination and Reeves’ enduring appeal, the film is tracking for a potential $200M+ global opening.
When Can Fans See It?
Currently slated for June 6, 2025, Ballerina will face summer competition but benefits from being the first major action release post-Mission: Impossible 8. IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond has already confirmed the film will receive premium format screenings, calling its action sequences “game-changing.”
For de Armas, the project represents both a career milestone and a personal challenge: “After this, action roles don’t scare me anymore. Though I might need a year of physical therapy first.”