Following the outstanding success of the first four John Wick films, the ever-popular action franchise is getting a spinoff in the form of Ballerina.

Ballerina is the first spinoff film connected to the John Wick movies, and its cast, plot details, and more signal an exciting new direction for the action franchise. Springing from the mind of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4 writer Shay Hatten, Ballerina was first teased in 2019 when its title character appeared in the third movie. Expanding the brutal and beautiful world of the John Wick series, Ballerina opens the door for more mayhem and more exploration of the franchise as a new hero takes the spotlight. While it’s a spinoff, Ballerina is still intricately tied into the timeline of the John Wick universe.

What makes the John Wick movies stand out from the usual blockbuster fare is its clever use of action and the emphasis on simple-but-effective storytelling that boils the plot down to its basic essence. From all accounts, Ballerina promises to do the same thing with its sleek action tale, and with many of the creative minds behind John Wick attached to the project, it will surely fit nicely into the continuity of the series. With several upcoming John Wick movies and spinoffs to be expected, Ballerina will be the first step in expanding the action franchise’s cinematic universe.

Ballerina Latest News

The most recent update regarding Ballerina came in April 2023 when the John Wick spinoff received an official release date from Lionsgate. Ballerina is slated to hit theaters on June 7, 2024, and will surely capitalize on the summer movie blockbuster trend that has made so many other action films successful. Though the summer of 2024 is still a ways off, a release date at least confirms that the film is definitely happening.

Ballerina Is Confirmed

Considering how all-in the team behind the John Wick films has been with the announced sequels and spinoffs, the fate of Ballerina never really was in much jeopardy. All the way back in 2017, the spec script for Ballerina was optioned, and the character was worked into the story of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum to plant seeds for her future story. As additional proof of life, Len Wiseman was tapped to direct Ballerina. His previous works include the Underworld film franchise and the 2012 Total Recall remake. With so much information about the film available, and with a release date on hand, Ballerina is definitely confirmed.

Ballerina Release Date

Ballerina has received a release date of June 7, 2024, and the summer slot is a good sign for the long-awaited John Wick spinoff. Studios tend to bury their lesser products in the first few months of the year, and then save their best for the popular movie-going summer months. As such, Ballerina‘s June release date not only speaks to the fact that it is going to be a bona fide blockbuster, but that the studio is confident that it is worth putting in one of their high-profile summer slots.

Ballerina Cast

The long-speculated casting of Ana de Armas in the lead role of Rooney was eventually confirmed in early 2022, and she was brought in to replace dancer Unity Phelan, who played the part in a brief cameo in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum. Several John Wick characters will be returning in Ballerina, including Keanu Reeves as the black suit-wearing assassin on a mission, and franchise stalwart Ian McShane as his hotelier ally Winston Scott.

Also reprising her John Wick role is Anjelica Huston, who appeared in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum as the enigmatic head of the Ruska Roma crime syndicate, known as “The Director.” Notably, Lance Reddick will appear in the film as his long-running character Charon, with Ballerina being one of the last projects he worked on. John Wick series newcomers Gabriel Byrne (Hereditary), Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead), and Catalina Sandino Moreno (Che) are also all slated to appear in the film in as yet undisclosed roles.

Where Does Ballerina Fit Into The John Wick Timeline?

Though the exact details regarding the spinoff’s plot are still under wraps, John Wick actor Keanu Reeves revealed when Ballerina takes place in the larger franchise timeline. The title character, Rooney, was seen briefly during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, and the spinoff starring the dancing assassin will fit snugly between the third and fourth films in the main series. Though Ballerina won’t move the John Wick timeline further ahead, it will possibly expand and recontextualize the events of John Wick: Chapter 4. With Ballerina blazing the trail for all future John Wick spinoffs, it could set the stage for other tangential stories within the franchise.

Ballerina Story Details

Despite their positive reviews, the films in the John Wick series aren’t really known for their complicated plots, and it is likely that Ballerina will be just as effectively simple with its storytelling. The plot will center on dancer/assassin Rooney, who embarks on a mission of revenge to take down the people responsible for killing her family. The character’s recasting served several purposes, as Ana de Armas not only brings a level of star-power to the role that it didn’t have before, but the part also requires an accomplished actor who can sell the emotional side of Rooney’s tragic backstory.

Ballerina is also expected to have considerable overlap with the ongoing storylines of the main John Wick series, and that includes the franchise’s title character, who will play some part in the story. Ballerina will explore John Wick’s origins from a different perspective, according to the film’s writer, and that will not only help to maintain continuity, but it will also connect the fledgling spinoff with the more recognizable parts of the franchise. It is the John Wick character who sells tickets at this point, and even if he is peripherally involved in the main storyline of Ballerina, the spinoff will feel like a more complete installment of the franchise.