The “John Wick” universe is beloved for its meticulously crafted action sequences and intense storytelling, so fans were naturally excited about Ballerina, a spin-off starring Ana de Armas. However, behind the scenes, the project hit significant bumps, leading to a year-long delay. Initially scheduled for June 7, 2024, Ballerina will now hit theaters on June 6, 2025. But the delay wasn't the only issue.
When Lionsgate saw the first cut of Ballerina, it reportedly “didn't pass muster.” Chad Stahelski, the creative mind behind the John Wick franchise, was brought in to reshoot most of the film, as confirmed by The Wrap. These reshoots, which took two to three months, practically amounted to a whole new production in Prague. Len Wiseman, the original director, wasn't even present, with Stahelski stepping in for significant portions.
Ian McShane, reprising his role as Winston, revealed in an interview that we shouldn't even call these reshoots—they're “newshoots.” Stahelski's intervention delayed his other projects, including the Highlander reboot. His involvement also influenced casting changes, with new characters like David Castañeda's being added mid-reshoot.
Given that Ballerina takes place between John Wick 3 and John Wick 4, Stahelski couldn't afford for this movie to fail. It's essentially “John Wick 3.5,” meaning fans expect nothing less than perfectly choreographed action.
While Ana de Armas leads the film, the cast also includes veterans like Anjelica Huston and Ian McShane, along with a cameo from Keanu Reeves. The film also marks the final on-screen appearance of the late Lance Reddick. Despite all the behind-the-scenes chaos, fans are eager to see if Ballerina can meet the high expectations set by its predecessor films.
As a fan of the John Wick series, I'm concerned but hopeful. The fact that Stahelski had to reshoot most of the movie suggests there were serious problems with the original vision. However, his expertise in action choreography could save Ballerina from being a disaster. The addition of new characters during the reshoots is a bit of a red flag, but I trust Stahelski's ability to deliver the gritty action and emotional intensity we've come to expect from this franchise.
Do you think Ballerina can live up to the high standards set by the John Wick franchise, or are these reshoots a sign of trouble?
