The John Wick universe expands with a spin-off, Ballerina. Starring Ana de Armas as Eve (or Rooney, as the character was known—also played by a different actor, in John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum), who is on a revenge spree (at this point, revenge is the raison d'etre for anything in the John Wick universe).
Ballerina boasts an impressive cast of returning John Wick veterans alongside new faces. The Walking Dead star Norman Reedus, Academy Award nominee Gabriel Byrne, and Catalina Sandino Moreno are the newest addition to this ensemble. Ian McShane returns as Winston, the enigmatic manager of The Continental Hotel; the late Lance Reddick will make his final appearance as Charon; Anjelica Huston is back as The Director.
And then, there's the appearance of Keanu Reeves as John Wick. When he's not voicing corporate videos for dubious corporation, Reeves returns in order take out Eve. But how? Didn't he *spoiler alert* shuffle off the mortal coil in John Wick: Chapter 4? Well, apparently, the murderous events in Ballerina take place between John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4. Although, we will definitely see John Wick again as a John Wick: Chapter 5 is currently in production. How will he returns from the dead is still up in the air. (Someone out there is now writing fan fic about this.)
But Is the appearance of John Wick enough to give Ballerina a boost before it can fly on its own? After the meh showing of The Continental, another spin-off showing a young Winston and Charon before taking over managerial duties at The Continental Hotel and the rumours of extensive reshoots of Ballerina, we are reserving judgement until the movie's release.
Ballerina will be in theatres 5 June 2025
Given the popularity of the John Wick series and its mythos, is it any wonder there would be a spin-off? The trailer for The Continental was released. From the looks of it, it looks like it maintained the action-packed sequences the films were known for. Here's what we can infer from the trailer.
Set in the 70s, we follow a young Winston Scott (played by Colin Woodell). This is all before he became the owner and manager of the Continental New York. Tasked with finding his brother, Frankie (Ben Robson), Young Scott has to contend with some very bad people who are looking for him as well.
Set up as a three-part miniseries, we get to see a young Charon (Ayomide Adegun [RIP Lance Riddick!]), interesting characters like The Adjudicator (Katie McGrath) and—really to hammer home the fact that it's set in the past—the World Trade Centre.
Even more surprising is the appearance of Mel Gibson, who is playing Cormac the manager of the Continental New York.
Given that this is an expansion of John Wick, would we get a glimpse of the titular character? Given that this is a prequel, we may not see Keanu Reeves. But we didn't think there would be a John Wick: Chapter 5 but that has been greenlit so anything can happen.
Aside from The Continental, another spin-off that fans of John Wick can look forward to is Ballerina. Len Wiseman is attached to direct. As for the lead? Ana de Armas is rumoured for the lead. Another is a Sophia-led movie starring Halle Berry and that crossover with Nobody (starring Bob Odenkirk).
If you ask me, it looks like a world without John Wick (let the man retire) will do just fine.
The Continental comes out on Peacock (and maybe on other streaming sites?) on 22 September.
