Ballerinais an exploration of the world ofJohn Wickthrough the eyes of a brand new character. Ana de Armas’ Eve is a former ballet dancer turned assassin who appears to be just as inventive and efficient at her work as Keanu Reeves’ franchise lead. Taking place between the events ofJohn Wick: Chapter 3 - ParabellumandJohn Wick: Chapter 4,Ballerinatells the story of Eve’s quest for revenge for the death of her father.
The movie was directed by Len Wiseman, who may be a newcomer toJohn Wickbut is no stranger to creating audience-pleasing spectacle. Wiseman created theUnderworldfilm franchiseand directed those movies as well asLive Free or Die Hard,Total Recall(2012), and others.Ballerinawas written by Shay Hatten, who also penned the third and fourthJohn Wickmovies.
ScreenRant’s Rachel Foertsch spoke withBallerinadirector Len Wiseman about his entry in theJohn Wickfranchise. Wiseman discussed Eve’s weapons of choice, creatingJohn Wick-level action sequences, and putting together theEve vs. John Wickmoment that has featured heavily in the movie’s marketing. Plus, check out a video of Foertsch going through her ownBallerinastunt training.
Len Wiseman Teases The John Wick & Ballerina Fight
“As A Fan … I Would Be Wanting To See That”
One of the biggest reveals from theBallerinatrailer was that Ana de Armas’ character would be facing off against John Wick himself–something not many people in this film universe survive. Pitting such a beloved character againstBallerina’s lead is a tall order, but Len Wiseman revealed he had“No concerns.” “As a fan of the series, I would be wanting to see that,”Wiseman continued, adding,“I’d be kind of waiting for that.”
“It was more of just the right way to go about it, and, ‘What is that real balance going to be between the two of them?’”
“I can’t really tell much about the fight,”Wiseman said,“but I was completely excited about it, and we took a lot of time. They did a lot of rehearsal–but I can’t really say what happens.”
Ballerina’s Weapon Prowess, Explained
She Can “Create Weapons Out Of Anything”
Clearly, Eve is at least something of a match for John Wick, and part of that is her flexibility when it comes to turning everyday items.“She has a lot of weapons of choice,”Wiseman revealed, continuing,“She chooses as she goes along.”He shared thatRambo: First Bloodwas an inspiration, at least in terms of Rambo“having to just survive and create weapons out of anything that he can get his hands on.”
For Eve,“Her weapon of choice, I’d say–you see her with the skates,”Wiseman said.“Anything that looks like it could take somebody down, and she’ll wrap it up, try it, put it together. But I’d say skates are a pretty cool weapon of choice.”
“It’s fun to just find something that is sort of mundane that you could just turn into a real lethal object.”
How Ballerina’s Fight Scenes Were Made Distinct From John Wick
“Certain Things … Will Just Subvert Your Expectations”
John Wickmovies are known for outstanding fight sequences, soBallerinahad a high bar to clear–while also establishing Eve as a very distinct character.“There’s many parts to that,”Wiseman said on the subject. The director said he likes to“play with the way that it’s shot,”in a way that sets up something familiar only to“create something that is unexpected.”He elaborated, saying“You can do that through sequences, but also, you can do it in the camera movements and language. [It] sounds a little heady, but it’s something I really get into and geek out about.”
“[There are] certain things that will just subvert your expectations, even in what we all become accustomed to–how movies are shot.”
ScreenRant’s Rachel Foertsch Learns A Stunt From Ballerina
She’s Now Deadly With Ice Skates
Paired with herBallerinainterview,ScreenRant’s Rachel Foertsch was invited to be trained in a stunt from the film by none other than stunt coordinator Jeremy Marinas.
Foertsch was taught the different sequences of the “ice skate stunt” from the movie, and then was put right into the action to execute them herself. Check out the video, above, and see how it matches up against the real thing whenBallerinahits theaters.
