“Ballerina” is an eagerly anticipated American action thriller film directed by Len Wiseman, featuring a screenplay crafted by Shay Hatten and Emerald Fennell, which is based on a story by Hatten. This film marks the first spin-off of the acclaimed John Wick franchise, set in the timeline between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019) and John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023). The cast includes notable actors such as Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Norman Reedus, Ian McShane, and Keanu Reeves. The plot centers around Rooney, a ballerina-assassin portrayed by Armas, who seeks revenge on those responsible for her family’s murder.

Lionsgate acquired Hatten’s spec script back in 2017. Hatten later contributed to the screenplay for Parabellum and took on the role of lead writer for Chapter 4. In October 2019, Len Wiseman was appointed as the director, with Chad Stahelski, the series’ main director, confirmed as a producer by May 2020. The film was officially announced in April 2022, with De Armas taking over the lead role from Unity Phelan, who originally portrayed the character in Parabellum; by November of that same year, the principal cast had been finalized. Filming commenced shortly thereafter in Prague.