Ana de Armas is trading elegance for vengeance in her latest role as Eve Macarro in Ballerina, the high-octane spin-off from the John Wick universe. The Cuban-Spanish actress, best known for her roles in Knives Out and No Time to Die, steps into a brutal new world—one where ballet shoes and bullet wounds collide.
Directed by Len Wiseman (Underworld, Live Free or Die Hard), Ballerina is not just another action flick. It’s a gritty origin story set in the same unforgiving underworld as John Wick, with de Armas front and center as a ballerina-turned-assassin driven by revenge.
Why Ana de Armas?
Wiseman recently opened up about casting Ana in such a physically and emotionally demanding role. While her beauty and screen presence were undeniable, it was her raw intensity that sealed the deal.
“There was a kind of fire in Ana that I wanted to meet and work with,” Wiseman revealed. He wasn’t just looking for an action star—he wanted someone who could convey heartbreak, rage, and resilience all at once. De Armas, with her emotionally charged performances and ever-growing range, was a natural fit.
The director also admitted the role wasn’t going to be easy. “She’s going to get her ass kicked,” he laughed. And he meant it—this isn’t a glamorized take on a female assassin. This is a woman who gets bruised, bleeds, and breaks, all while fighting for her life.
A Killer with a Past
Ballerina is set in the timeline between John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4, providing more information about the Ruska Roma—essentially an underground group of assassins who are trained in ballet. The Ruska Roma is a similar organization that trained John Wick himself.
In Ballerina, de Armas’s character Eve, has her family murdered and she goes on to hunt the killers. Eve’s story is more than just about revenge, it is a story about evolution and transformation that is propelled by loss.
Eve begins as a dancer, and progresses into a killer by learning how to utilize deadly and precise skills, leaving as a grieving daughter but returning as a ruthless hunter.
To prepare for the physical stunts required for Ballerina, de Armas devoted a significant amount of time to training and took it very seriously. So much so, that at one designing rehearsal with a flamethrower, she cried. “I started crying,” she explained, which she does not usually do. “It was a strong moment for me, but I didn’t give up. It showed I was all in.”
Familiar Faces, New Energy
Ballerina won’t be short on star power. Keanu Reeves returns as John Wick in what’s expected to be a meaningful cameo. Anjelica Huston reprises her role as the Director, and Ian McShane and the late Lance Reddick also return as Winston and Charon, respectively.
The supporting cast and the returning characters help tie Ballerina into the larger franchise while allowing Eve to shine on her own. Wiseman made it clear: this is not “female John Wick.” This is Eve’s story—one that has its own rhythm, pain, and purpose.
Release Dates and Build-Up
Mark your calendars. Ballerina will arrive in U.S. theaters on June 6, 2025, and then Indian cinemas on June 13, 2025. The film’s release was shifted from the original 2024 date to provide a longer process for post-production and stunt work – an indication of the team’s commitment to the franchise‘s high standards.
Fans of the John Wick universe are already excited and rightfully so. A combination of stylized violence, emotional weight, and a fierce female lead are sure to provide something new and exciting yet familiar.
A Spin-Off That Stands Alone
While rooted in the Wick-verse, Ballerina is determined to carve out its own legacy. Len Wiseman and Ana de Armas are working hard to ensure that Eve Macarro is not just a new assassin in a familiar suit—but a complex character with her own pain, strength, and story to tell.
If John Wick redefined the modern action hero, Ballerina might just redefine the contemporary action heroine.
Stay tuned to Club4Celebs for more updates.
