‘We Made A Really Good Double Act’: Ahead Of John Wick’s Ballerina Spinoff, Ian McShane Reflects On Working With Late Co-Star Lance Reddick

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As a gamer who has spent countless hours immersed in the thrilling world of John Wick, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of nostalgia and melancholy as we approach the release of Ballerina next summer. The news of Lance Reddick‘s untimely passing was a devastating blow to the entire fanbase, but his legacy lives on through the characters he brought to life so brilliantly.

Despite Lance Reddick passing away at 60 years old in March 2023, we’ve been fortunate to enjoy his presence through various posthumous film and television releases. Regrettably, one of these last appearances is quickly approaching, as the John Wick spinoff Ballerina is scheduled for release next summer in 2025. As we eagerly await the debut of Ballerina, Ian McShane, who worked alongside Reddick in the spinoff and the previous four John Wick films, shares his thoughts on collaborating with his late colleague.

McShane reminisced about his experiences working on the John Wick series during a 10th anniversary screening at AMC Century City in Los Angeles (via DiscussingFilm), when he spoke to Winston Scott (Charon). Sharing heartfelt memories, the actor expressed:

Speaking of my bond with Chad and Keanu, let me clarify… My time with Lance Reddick, unfortunately passed away, holds a special place… Lance Reddick, such an incredible talent, will be deeply missed. However, we still have the upcoming film “Ballerina,” where we shared one last memorable experience together. To put it simply, we complemented each other well, forming a unique duo, if you will. Our dynamics were distinct, with his being unlike my interactions with Keanu’s character. Yet, the moments I spent with him are ones I won’t forget.

Prior to “John Wick: Chapter 4”, Winston held the position of manager at The Continental’s New York branch, while Charon served as its concierge. Despite not appearing together on screen in the first two “John Wick” films, Lance Reddick and Ian McShane were brought together for the subsequent movies. Regrettably, Charon met an untimely end early into “Chapter 4”, which was released a week following Reddick’s death, as one of the consequences for Winston’s inability to eliminate Keanu Reeves’ John Wick.

Beyond just being close friends, it’s evident that Winston and Charon (their friendship depicted in the miniseries The Continental, available on Peacock) formed a strong bond under Ian McShane and Lance Reddick’s shared screen time. A month after Reddick’s unfortunate passing, McShane paid tribute to his co-star, calling him a “marvelously composed, serious actor” who “brought dignity, strength, and gravitas.” This strong partnership extended even to their interviews for the John Wick series, with McShane noting that he and Reddick complemented each other exceptionally well.

It’s fortunate that the film “Ballerina” takes place after the third and before the fourth “John Wick” movies, giving us one final chance to witness Lance Reddick portraying Charon. The spinoff centers around Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro, a character who was taught assassination by the Ruska Roma and seeks vengeance against those responsible for her father’s death. As mentioned by McShane, during the movie, Eve will be under the protection of Winston and Charon at the Continental. Keanu Reeves, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Catalonia Sandino Moreno, Norman Reedus, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, and David Castañeda are also part of the “Ballerina” cast, reprising their roles from previous “John Wick” films.

On June 6, 2025, the film titled “Ballerina” will make its debut in cinemas. Keep checking TopMob for updates about “Ballerina” and the entire “John Wick” series, which is currently planning an anime prequel movie as part of its lineup.

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2024-11-07 20:28