Lionsgate is already filming their highly anticipated “John Wick” franchise spinoff “Ballerina” in Prague. The film, helmed by Len Wiseman (“Live Free Or Die Hard“) stars Ana de Armas (“The Gray Man”) as the deadly heroine. Not long ago it was reported that the action pic would include some familiar faces with Keanu Reeves and Ian McShane showing up, which should add some connective tissue for audiences.
Well, they’re not the only ones returning for “Ballerina,” as The Hollywood Reporter has learned that veteran actress Anjelica Huston will be reprising the role of The Director from “John Wick 3.” This is yet another clue that the spinoff is going to be much more than simply an offshoot using the franchise’s branding. We could see some teases for the spinoff in the next “John Wick” installment.
If you missed “John Wick 3,” The Director is the matriarch of Wick’s former criminal family that raised him when he was orphaned, turning him into an ultra-assassin, later helping him again when he was seeking safe passage to Casablanca. Young girls end up being trained as ballerinas and will eventually become professional killers for the Ruska Roma syndicate, thus the spinoff film’s title. The recent trailer for “John Wick 4” reveals that they now have a seat on The High Table and a new Ruska Roma character in the sequel played by actress Natalia Tena, who has appeared on “Game of Thrones” and “The Mandalorian,” seems to be part of that group too.
Interestingly enough, the film will also be getting help on the script from Oscar-winner Emerald Fennell, who made waves with “Promising Young Woman.” Hopefully, this means “Ballerina” will have a little more substance than previously expected as the studio went out of their way to hire an accomplished female screenwriter to give the script a polish ahead of production.
The aforementioned “John Wick 4” will be unleashed in theaters on March 24, 2023, and the spinoff prequel series focused on The Continental hotel is also on its way from Starz.