Lionsgate
A new and extended behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming John Wick spinoff Ballerina, which stars Oscar-nominee Ana de Armas in the lead role, was released while the cast attended the CCXP festival in Brazil over the weekend.
Alongside the starring Ana de Armas, Ian McShane, Norman Reedus, and director Len Wiseman also took the stage at CCXP, which is basically South America’s San Diego Comic-Con.
The extended behind-the-scenes look shows off de Armas training for her role and franchise producer Chad Stahelski and Ballerina director Len Wiseman hyping up the film’s action pieces, which are, of course, the cornerstone of the beloved John Wick franchise.
“When I got the offer, it was really inspiring… I was excited, I was nervous, I was worried,” de Armas says in the featurette. “I’m actually surprised I came out of it in one piece. The way the fights are built, you have to be prepared for whatever they throw at you. It was a discipline, physical and mental, that I didn’t know before.”
Here is the official synopsis for Ballerina — the fifth film in the John Wick franchise following chapters 1-4 in the main series — via Lionsgate:
“Taking place during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, the film follows Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas) who is beginning her training in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma.”
The “Ballerina” character that de Armas will be playing briefly appeared in the background of a scene in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, although she was portrayed by ballet dancer Unity Phelan and not de Armas.
Alongside the Academy Award-nominated de Armas in the lead role and Keanu Reeves returning as John Wick, Ballerina — hitting movie theaters in the United States on Friday, June 6, 2025 — also stars Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Norman Reedus, Ian McShane, and Lance Reddick, who unexpectedly and tragically passed away in March 2023.
You can also check out the first teaser trailer for Ballerina, which was released back in September, below.