The Return of the John Wick Universe
This week marks an exciting resurgence for the John Wick universe as Lionsgate presents a sneak peek of the upcoming film Ballerina. The CinemaCon studio presentation commenced with an exclusive look at this new action-packed installment, showcasing the collaboration between director Len Wiseman and star Ana de Armas.
Highlights from CinemaCon
Taking the stage at the Colosseum, Wiseman and de Armas offered insights into the film, which serves as a spin-off of the highly successful John Wick franchise featuring Keanu Reeves. Footage shown included several thrilling action sequences, with Reeves making an appearance as John Wick.
A Deep Dive into the Training
Ana de Armas, renowned for her role in action films, reflected on the demanding nature of her preparation for this role. “This is by far the most physical and challenging thing I’ve ever done,” she revealed. Her rigorous training regimen spanned three to four months and incorporated elements of weaponry, combat, and ballet. De Armas emphasized that the choreography, blending grace with ferocity, was both “very creative and very fun to do.”
Wiseman’s Vision for Action
Director Len Wiseman, a long-time admirer of the John Wick series, expressed his enthusiasm for maintaining the franchise’s signature cleverness and wit in action. “I like to tease and trick the audience with the action,” he mentioned, highlighting his approach to subverting traditional action tropes. He aims to deliver sequences that leave the audience astonished, saying, “One of the things that you can get from a really good action sequence is, ‘Holy shit, I did not expect that.'”
Audience Reactions
The CinemaCon audience responded enthusiastically to the footage, particularly captivated by a dynamic restaurant-set battle where de Armas faces off against an assassin. One notable exchange featured John Wick presenting a choice: “You can still leave. You still have a choice.” To which de Armas’s character queries Wick about his own decision to stay, leading to his cryptic reply, “I’m working on it.”
Film Development Timeline
Ballerina has navigated a lengthy journey to reach theaters. Initially filmed in 2022, its release was originally slated for June 2024. However, Lionsgate recently announced a delay, pushing the premiere to June 6, 2025. This extra time has facilitated enhanced collaboration with John Wick’s action guru, Chad Stahelski, allowing for the refinement of key action sequences alongside Director Wiseman.
About CinemaCon 2023
CinemaCon, an essential annual event for cinema owners and Hollywood studios, is currently underway in Las Vegas. Formerly known as the National Association of Theatre Owners, this year’s event operates under the newly rebranded name, Cinema United. The conference runs from March 31 to April 3, drawing significant industry attention.