As a die-hard fan of the John Wick franchise, I can hardly contain my excitement for the upcoming spin-off, Ballerina. The chemistry between Keanu Reeves and Ana de Armas in Knock Knock was electric, so I’m eagerly anticipating their scenes together in this action-packed thriller.
If the intense dynamic between Keanu Reeves and Ana de Armas in the suspenseful film Knock Knock is any preview, their shared scenes in the upcoming John Wick spin-off Ballerina promise to be captivating. Indeed, as reported by MovieWeb from recent interviews with Basil Inawyk and Erica Lee of Thunder Road Productions, who have been involved with the John Wick series for a long time, these action stars will indeed collaborate in the film. “They have scenes together, it’s quite interesting,” shares Lee. Inawyk further remarks: “Yes, they do share scenes.
They have a lot of great scenes together.
Inawyk detailed not only how Armas joined the cast of “Ballerina”, but also how Reeves came on board. As he shared, they contacted her through her agents because she’s a big fan of the series. At that time, to be honest, it was uncertain if Keanu would appear in the film.
In other words, Ana expressed enthusiasm for Len [Wiseman’s] vision and aspired to be an action star in the movie. When we discussed having Keanu Reeves join the film, Ana, who has a long-standing relationship with him, reached out to express interest and encourage him. As a result, Ana was instrumental in igniting Keanu’s enthusiasm for the project. Given that Keanu is a big fan of Ana, it’s likely he became quite enthusiastic about Ballerina once Ana became involved.
In the portrayal of Eve Macarro by Ana de Armas, Inawyk points out an interesting aspect: “Unlike the stereotypical damsel in distress or victim, this character doesn’t fit that mold. In fact, she matches John Wick’s body count from the first film almost exactly. This means you won’t find yourself worrying about her fate because of her gender; instead, you might wonder if she can outdo John Wick in terms of the number of adversaries she takes down.
How Will Ballerina Compare to John Wick?
In several instances, film producer Erica Lee has drawn parallels between the movie “Ballerina” and “John Wick,” stating that John was attempting an escape, while Eve is striving for entry. During our conversation, she expands on this observation: “Ana’s character seeks to uncover the truth about her past, a quest for answers that sets it apart from John Wick’s narrative. While the methods might differ, I believe both stories have elements of revenge and are driven by the characters’ desire for closure. In essence, Ana is seeking resolution regarding her past experiences as well.” Lee further adds: “Moreover, while the approaches may vary, I think it’s safe to say that ‘Ballerina’ also delves into the theme of redemption or finding peace, much like John Wick does.
“In essence, John Wick is on a journey towards the future. A pivotal event kicks off his story, pushing him forward, and as he progresses, challenges pile up. There’s the High Table, and the worlds grow larger with each passing step, and the enemies become increasingly formidable. To me, this narrative structure is very engaging.
The situation that filmmakers face when audiences are likely to compare ‘Ballerina‘ to ‘John Wick‘ presents unique challenges; there’s an immediate set of assumptions and desires from fans of the franchise, and a key question is how they will react to a female protagonist. Basil Inawyk recognizes these issues, but acknowledges that while ‘Ballerina‘ offers a more feminine perspective, it still shares a fundamental aspect with ‘John Wick‘. As Inawyk candidly admits, “We’re no longer underdogs, so the audience comes in with high expectations of action, visual appeal, atmosphere, and ambiance – which can be quite intimidating.” He elaborates:
The Wick films, while primarily focusing on a female protagonist, also emphasize a deep, romantic aspect. This is evident in the character’s enduring love for his wife, which serves as the driving force behind the series. Her death left him with an unending grief, underscoring the romantic foundation upon which the franchise is built and the relationship that forms its core.
In the opinion of Inawyk, what’s crucial for audiences who enjoy the John Wick series is that they should feel a strong connection with the character and be invested in his relationships, regardless of whether it’s a spin-off, prequel, or sequel. This aspect is particularly significant for the upcoming film Ballerina. Although it’s not due until June 6, 2025, we’re eagerly anticipating its release from Lionsgate. In the meantime, fans can catch the original John Wick in theaters on November 3rd and 6th, 2024, for a limited two-night run. You can find theaters and tickets here.
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2024-11-05 07:31