When the author of these lines read the screenplay for an action movie called “Ballerina” a few years ago, he was quite taken with the idea and the script. At the time it was still a completely independent project, but then Lionsgate struck and they came up with the idea of bringing it into the world of “John Wick”. Then relatively unknown “Ballerina” author Shay Hatten was commissioned to plant the seed for “Ballerina” in “John Wick 3”. He also revised his own script for the spin-off. And that becomes very important for the series.
Because in “Ballerina” we shouldn’t just see a vengeful killer embodied by “Knives Out” and “Blonde” star Ana de Armas. We will also learn a lot more about John Wick himself. This was confirmed by Hatten in an interview
Is “Ballerina” Now “John Wick 3.5″…
The one that has already been filmed under the direction of Len Wiseman (“Underworld”) “Ballerina” is set between “John Wick 3” and “John Wick 4“. So we’ll learn some of the things that happened in the bigger time jump of several months between both movies. In addition to Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane as Winston, the recently deceased Lance Reddick as Charon and, above all, Anjelica Huston as the mysterious headmistress of the ballet and killer school from the third part of the main series return.
In “John Wick: Chapter 3”, the dialogues built up by author Shay Hatten in anticipation of “Ballerina” also mentioned that the assassin himself was trained at this school. It is his family who now also play a role in “John Wick 4” when he travels to Berlin and asks to be readmitted after he actually broke up with her in the third part.
… and at the same time “John Wick: Origins”?
That’s exactly where we are with Hatten’s current statements about “Ballerina”. After all, the previous “John Wick” movies only hinted at what this family and the murderer growing up in it is like. But with “Ballerina” we should learn more about it. Opposite as author Hatten revealed, that we’ll see “some hints of what John experienced in this place during his lineage.”
This is through the eyes of another character, but will provide “some answers about Wick”. In other words, of course “Ballerina” won’t be a classic Wick origin story, we won’t suddenly see young John Wick in training. But we see others being trained and learn that he went through the exact same thing. This gives us a better idea of Wick’s origin story without actually seeing it.
When “Ballerina” will be shown in the cinemas, it is not yet known. However, it is quite possible that a theatrical release will take place in 2023. In addition to the franchise returnees already mentioned, Ana de Armas will also see “The Walking Dead” star Norman Reedus, Gabriel Byrne (“The Usual Suspects”) and “Nikita” legend Anne Parillaud and those responsible for “Mary Full of Grace.” include. to see Oscar nominee Catalina Sandino Moreno.
In the meantime, you can get more insight into the post-“John Wick 4” franchise in the following video:
For starters, “Ballerina” isn’t the only spin-off to come. In addition, our YouTube editor Sebastian is also considering how to continue the main series after “John Wick: Chapter 4” and the ending including the credits scene.