The world of John Wick is increasing. Whereas followers are presently awaiting the discharge of John Wick: Chapter 4 this Friday, we’re additionally preparing for the discharge of Ballerina – a by-product starring the Oscar-nominated abilities of Ana de Armas. Having not too long ago accomplished filming, the film is now in post-production, and whereas there’s nonetheless quite a bit about it that we don’t know, we do know that it’ll characteristic Lance Reddick and Ian McShane in supporting roles, and each actors not too long ago spoke about their time working with the movie’s star.
Two weeks previous to the horrible information from this previous Friday about Lance Reddick’s demise, I had the prospect to interview him and co-star Ian McShane on the John Wick: Chapter 4 junket. Along with discussing the motivations of their characters, Charon and Winston, on the finish of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, the actors additionally talked about their time on the set of Ballerina. I requested particularly about their expertise with Ana de Armas, and McShane started,
The character Ana performs is from John Wick 3, from the ballet college – which they’ve expanded upon that. She was nice. I used to be in Prague final, what was it? Final November? December? We have now an extended scene collectively and she or he was nice. Yeah.
For many who don’t recall, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum includes a sequence at a ballet college the place Keanu Reeves’ titular protagonist meets with The Director (Anjelica Huston). In one of many scenes with the 2 characters, The Director is instructing a ballerina performed by Unity Phelan, and it’s she who would be the protagonist in Ballerina (recast with Ana de Armas within the function). Her title is Rooney, and she or he is just not solely a dancer, however an assassin-in-training – which shouldn’t be too shocking within the context of the franchise.
The character’s work as a employed killer presumably leads her to go to the New York Continental in some unspecified time in the future within the new movie, as that that will be the logical approach that she encounters each Charon and Winston.
Ballerina will characteristic one of many final performances by Lance Reddick, and whereas it doesn’t sound like he may have an excessive amount of display time within the movie, he was nonetheless impressed by what he noticed from Ana de Armas. Mentioned Reddick,
I had a brief scene along with her. However I imply, she’s simply so dynamic. And I imply, I wasn’t there for any of the motion, however given what I learn within the script, it is gotta be a hell of a movie. It is gonna be a hell of a movie.
Along with Lance Reddick and Ian McShane, Ballerina may also characteristic an look from Keanu Reeves – and it’ll mark the third time that Reeves has labored with Ana de Armas after 2015’s Knock Knock and 2016’s Uncovered. Shay Hatten, the co-writer of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4, has penned the screenplay, and Len Wiseman is directing.
Lionsgate is about to distribute Ballerina, however the studio has not but introduced a launch date for the movie. After all, the look ahead to that film is made simpler by the truth that we’re about to see the theatrical arrival of John Wick: Chapter 4, which has earned rave opinions in latest weeks following press screenings and a shock exhibiting on the 2023 SWSW Movie Pageant.
Keep tuned for extra from my interviews with the celebs and director of the brand new sequel, and take a look at our 2023 Film Launch Calendar to find out about the entire large movies set to be launched in theaters and on streaming within the coming months.
