Chad Stahelski, director of John Wick, candidly admitted his initial reluctance towards casting Keanu Reeves in the movie Ballerina. Explanation behind the change of heart.
In the thrilling world of John Wick, a fresh addition emerged with the release of the spinoff film, Ballerina. Starring the captivating Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro, this action-packed flick follows Eve on a vengeful journey. Despite the 2025 release date, it's clear that this film belongs to Eve, but even the legendary Baba Yaga himself, played by the ever-brilliant Keanu Reeves, makes an appearance.
Initially, franchise veteran Chad Stahelski, director of all four John Wick films and series producer, expressed reluctance about Reeves reprising his iconic role. In an honest conversation with THR, Stahelski admitted that he wasn't keen on Wick being a part of this story [1][5]. However, he acknowledged the strategic benefits of Wick's inclusion in the movie, with box office success likely a key factor [1][5].
Ballerina has been carefully designed to establish a new protagonist, Eve, while still leveraging the popularity of the John Wick franchise. Lionsgate, the film's production company, may have been aiming to generate added interest by featuring Wick in a supporting role, giving the spinoff a much-needed boost [1][5]. It's unclear what exact concerns Stahelski might have had about adding Wick to the story [1][5]. Perhaps he was worried that Wick's notoriety could overshadow Eve's introduction. But, in truth, Wick does not overstep Eve's limelight [1][5].
Ballerina: A Fresh Perspective That Slyly Salutes the John Wick Legacy
Although Ballerina may slightly alter the John Wick timeline, the movie's brilliance cannot be denied [1][5]. In a personal encounter, Wick graces the screen a few times, with his debut taking an emotive turn [1][5]. As teasers and trailers have hinted, a large-scale confrontation between Wick and Eve unfolds, making the ticket price absolutely justified [1][5].
Despite Reeves' return for this spinoff, it should be noted that his appearances don't guarantee a recurrence in future offshoots [1][5]. Stahelski clarified to THR that Reeves will not appear in the movie focusing on Donnie Yen's Caine [1][5]. At the same time, Stahelski reassures fans that there's potential for Wick to make a comeback in John Wick: Chapter 5, though it may not be set in stone [1][5].
For those eager to see more of the original character, I'm with you. But there's hope that newcomers like Eve and Caine can find their unique paths, apart from Wick [1][5]. For now, catch Ballerina in theaters and keep a close eye on future action movies [1][5].
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- In an upcoming newsletter, CinemaBlend presents daily features on movies-and-tv, including the latest interviews about the action-packed spinoff film, Ballerina, starring Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro.
- This week's edition of the CinemaBlend newsletter also discusses the strategy behind Lionsgate's decision to feature John Wick in the movie Ballerina, despite the reservations expressed by director Chad Stahelski initially.
- Furthermore, the CinemaBlend newsletter highlights the potential for Keanu Reeves to reprise his role as John Wick in John Wick: Chapter 5, as hinted by Chad Stahelski in recent interviews with THR.
