A release date for Ballerina starring Oscar-nominated actress Ana de Armas has been announced. The spinoff of the John Wick franchise will hit theaters on June 7, 2024.
In the film, de Armas will play an assassin “trained in the traditions of the Ruska Roma,” the same crime organization featured in the first four John Wick movies.
Ballerina is directed by Len Wiseman (2012’s remake of Total Recall) and written by Shay Hatten (John Wick: Chapter 4). Along with de Armas and John Wick leading man Keanu Reeves, the film stars Oscar winner Anjelica Huston (Prizzi’s Honor), Oscar nominee Catalina Sandino Moreno (Maria Full of Grace), Gabriel Byrne (Hereditary), Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead), Ian McShane (John Wick: Chapter 4) and the late Lance Reddick (John Wick: Chapter 4).
It’s no surprise that Lionsgate would want to continue the John Wick franchise with a new hero at the helm. John Wick: Chapter 4 is nearing $250 million at the worldwide box office. All four films have earned $821 million across the globe.
Earlier this year, during an appearance on The Tonight Show, de Armas told a story about the physical challenges she endured while shooting Ballerina with Reeves in the Czech Republic capital city of Prague. “I’m in pain – my body, my back, everything hurts,” de Armas said at the time. “I’m sore. I’m bruised.”
What inspired her to keep pushing ahead was realizing that Reeves never complains about anything when he’s on the set. “The other day, Keanu and I are rehearsing our very difficult stunt scene and this man is just rolling and throwing me and doing these crazy stunts and I’m like, ‘I can’t complain anymore,’” de Armas explained. “He’s doing it! He truly is the best.”
Next up for de Armas is her debut on Saturday Night Live on April 15 with musical guest Karol G.