The First Trailer for "John Wick Presents: Ballerina": Ana da Armas in the Footsteps of Keanu Reeves
The film is expected to be released in cinemas on June 6, 2025
News from the world of "John Wick": Action fans are in for another treat next year, as "Ballerina" is the first John Wick spin-off film, in which Ana de Armas takes on the role of the titular ballerina on a quest for revenge. According to Hollywood insider Daniel Richtman, the first trailer for "John Wick: Ballerina" will be released this Thursday! Of course, we'll bring you the trailer here as soon as it's available!
Update: The "John Wick: Ballerina" Trailer is here!
The Story of "John Wick: Ballerina"
In the new film, we delve further into the world of the "John Wick" universe. We already learned a little about John's training as a professional killer in part 3. In it, he visits the Tarkovsky Theater in New York, which also serves as a cover for a secret base of the Ruska Roma, a gangster family of Russian origin.
John is not the only one who once learned his trade here: in the scene, we see a ballerina performing a dance under the strict eyes of the director. The spin-off is set to revolve around precisely this character. The former ballet dancer is trained as a contract killer after her entire family is murdered. We will be able to experience her subsequent vendetta up close in the upcoming movie. The action flick is being directed by Len Wiseman, known for the "Underworld" films. After several postponements, "John Wick Presents: Ballerina" is expected to be released on June 6, 2025.
A Brief Overview of the "John Wick" Series
Since its debut in 2014, the "John Wick" series has established itself as a phenomenon in action cinema, taking the genre to a new level with innovative fight scenes, a fascinating mythology and a charismatic lead actor. Keanu Reeves plays the role of the titular John Wick, a legendary hitman who is dragged out of retirement and plunged into a world of violence and revenge.
John Wick (2014)
The first film in the series, "John Wick", was directed by Chad Stahelski and marked the beginning of the worldwide success. The plot is surprisingly simple: John Wick, a former contract killer, has retired from a life of crime after the death of his wife. His only solace in his grief is a dog left to him by his wife. But when a group of criminals, led by Iosef Tarasov (played by Alfie Allen), kills his dog and steals his car, Wick breaks out of his retirement to seek revenge.
The movie was celebrated above all for its unique and choreographically elaborate action sequences. The so-called "gun-fu", a mixture of marksmanship and martial arts techniques, set new standards for action cinema. The film also introduced the concept of the Continental Hotels, a safe haven for hitmen and the center of a complex criminal underworld.
With a budget of only 20 million dollars, but worldwide box office earnings of over 86 million dollars, "John Wick" was a commercial success and launched a new action franchise.
John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)
The surprise success of the first film was followed by the second part, "John Wick: Chapter 2", in 2017. The sequel built on the mythology and expanded the criminal underworld by drawing Wick deeper into the web of international syndicates. After Wick is forced to repay a debt to Santino D'Antonio (played by Riccardo Scamarcio), he becomes embroiled in a global conflict between powerful criminals and must once again fight for survival.
The action sequences are even more intense and creative in this film. Wick fights his way through Rome, New York and other international locations, with the choreography of the fights and the visual aesthetics of the film once again taking center stage. Reeves was not only convincing through his physical presence, but also through the deepening of his character, who feels torn between loyalty and survival.
"John Wick: Chapter 2" was an even bigger financial success than the first movie, grossing over 171 million dollars worldwide.
John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (2019)
The third part, "John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum", continues the events directly after the second film. John Wick is now an outlaw with a 14 million dollar bounty on his head after breaking a rule in the Continental by killing on secured ground. Hunted by contract killers from around the world, Wick must not only fight to survive, but also look for a way out of his precarious situation.
Part 3 takes the action to an even higher level, with fight scenes ranging from motorcycle chases to battles with combat dogs. The movie also expands the universe of the series by revealing more secrets of the hitman world, such as the council of the High Table and the law of the underworld.
The film was the most successful in the series to date, grossing over 326 million dollars worldwide. "Parabellum" was also praised by critics, especially for its action sequences and the continuation of the exciting storyline.
John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)
The fourth part of the series, "John Wick: Chapter 4", was released in 2023 and continued the storyline seamlessly. In this movie, Wick faces his greatest challenge: a showdown against the High Table. As Wick prepares for a final, decisive battle, he meets old allies and enemies from his past.
"Chapter 4" was acclaimed worldwide for its action choreography, new characters and breathtaking locations. The film also introduced new elements that further deepened the franchise's mythology and excited fans with more details about Wick's past and the hitman universe.
Influence and Future of the series
The "John Wick" series has revolutionized modern action cinema. Its innovative fighting scenes, fascinating underworld mythology and Keanu Reeves' charismatic performance have earned the franchise a massive fanbase. Not only are the movies commercial hits, but they have also redefined the boundaries of the genre.
With the success of "John Wick: Chapter 4", the franchise faces a promising future. Spin-offs such as "Ballerina" with Ana de Armas and a number of series will further expand the universe in the coming years.
