Ana de Armas Reveals How Keanu Reeves Elevated ‘Ballerina’ with Unseen Complexity

by

Following her impressive performance showcased at Lionsgate’s CinemaCon presentation for the movie Ballerina on Tuesday, Ana de Armas shifted locations in Las Vegas. On Wednesday, the Academy Award-nominated actress visited the John Wick Experience, an innovative, 12,000-square-foot attraction based on the popular film series. De Armas engaged with media outlets about her upcoming role in the Len Wiseman-directed film, set to premiere on June 6th. The Hollywood Reporter interviewed de Armas during this event for a quick four-question session.

Excellent performance on stage the day before! Your ballerina act was captivating, particularly the intense scene. What was intriguing is that it hinted at more to follow, even amidst the chaotic sequence – we didn’t realize there were additional surprises in store.

Absolutely, the action sequences in the film are quite extensive, leading to a sense of intense pressure on the character. It becomes evident that she was not adequately prepared for the situation that unfolded, as a large number of people suddenly appeared, seemingly intent on confronting her. The intention behind these extended scenes is to convey a feeling of struggle and disorientation, suggesting that our protagonist is navigating a vast and hostile environment filled with assassins, while also trying to achieve her goals.

It’s understandable that it was your toughest role yet. In terms of physical demands, what was the most taxing aspect?
Everything was tough; it was quite a challenge. There were numerous outdoor scenes [to film] and, as I mentioned earlier, the sequences were very long to create an authentic experience for the viewers. To achieve this, we had to be well-prepared. The stunt team, who were fantastic, taught me the fundamentals of fighting and how to seamlessly connect each move with the next so I could adapt to any unexpected situations they might throw at me during improvisation. Since things often go awry on set, it’s important to always be ready.

Absolutely, the production was quite extended, but the three-and-a-half to four months I spent preparing were indispensable for me to discover my place within it, understand the character’s essence, develop her style, and incorporate the ballet aspect into her persona.

How do you describe who the Ballerina is?

1. This character is learning to convert her suffering into strength and occasionally channeling her anger. In her pursuit of becoming an assassin, or someone aspiring for that role, emotions can often pose a challenge since they tend to cloud judgment, make one impulsive, and sometimes overpower. What I find captivating about this character is that she’s evolving into a formidable assassin.

2. Yesterday, I enjoyed watching a fresh Keanu Reeves scene that wasn’t featured in the trailer yet. Can you share your favorite moment collaborating with him, either on or off set?

On that particular day, merely catching sight of him striding onto the set as everyone waited in anticipation. Once more, he donned the John Wick costume. After the release of John Wick 4, this was a highly symbolic occasion that I’ll always remember. We then filmed that scene for three to four days, and he was nothing short of enthusiastic. It turned out to be longer than we initially expected from the script, I believe. As it progressed, it became increasingly intricate and complex. We stumbled upon those action sequences along the way. In the end, it evolved into something truly unique, serving as a strong foundation for that relationship.

Interview edited for length and clarity.

See below for images from inside the John Wick Experience.

Read More

2025-04-03 00:24