The Continental’s most dangerous ballerina has finally taken center stage. Lionsgate has unleashed the first electrifying trailer for Ballerina, the highly anticipated John Wick spin-off starring Ana de Armas as a vengeance-driven assassin trained in both ballet and bullet ballet. Set between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4, this adrenaline-fueled expansion of the Wickiverse introduces Rooney, a former prima ballerina who trades pirouettes for headshots when her family is murdered.
From the trailer’s opening frames—a blood-spattered de Armas executing perfect fouetté turns before transitioning into brutal close-quarters combat—it’s clear director Len Wiseman has maintained the franchise’s signature blend of balletic violence and intricate world-building. With cameos from Keanu Reeves’ Wick and the late Lance Reddick’s Charon, plus fresh faces like Gabriel Byrne and Catalina Sandino Moreno, Ballerina promises to pirouette its way into action cinema history when it hits theaters June 6, 2025.
Table of Contents
Breaking Down the Ana de Armas‘s Ballerina Killer Choreography
The Ballerina trailer operates like a perfectly timed action sequence—each beat revealing just enough to leave audiences breathless. It opens in a mirrored dance studio where de Armas’ Rooney practices ballet moves, her reflection multiplying like the bodies she’ll soon stack. The peaceful moment shatters when assassins burst in, triggering a fight sequence that transforms dance into deadly art—a spinning kick here, a graceful dodge there, all culminating in a neck-snatching move worthy of the High Table.
Wiseman, best known for the Underworld series, demonstrates his action pedigree with sequences that feel both fresh and familiar to Wick fans. The trailer showcases:
- Weaponized Ballet: Fight scenes incorporating dance techniques and barre work
- Continental Connections: Keanu Reeves’ brief but impactful appearance as Wick
- Emotional Stakes: Flashbacks revealing Rooney’s tragic backstory
- Global Backdrops: From neon-lit Tokyo alleys to European cathedrals
What makes these action beats particularly thrilling is de Armas’ physical commitment. After her blistering No Time to Die fight scene went viral, the actress trained for six months in ballet, martial arts, and weapons handling to perform 80% of her stunts. The result? Some of the most organic female-led action since Atomic Blonde.
How Ballerina Fits Into the John Wick Timeline
Chad Stahelski, architect of the Wickiverse, has positioned Ballerina as an “interquel” bridging Chapter 3 and Chapter 4. The trailer confirms this placement through several clever Easter eggs:
| Timeline Marker | Significance |
|---|---|
| Winston’s Bandaged Hand | Places events post-Parabellum Continental siege |
| Charon’s Presence | Confirms pre-Chapter 4 timeline |
| High Table Tensions | Aligns with power vacuum after Adjudicator’s defeat |
The film’s plot follows Rooney—a former Ruska Roma assassin like Wick—emerging from retirement when her mentor (Byrne) is killed. Her quest for vengeance intersects with Wick’s own war against the High Table, explaining his cameo. Wiseman promises the film will “deepen Wick mythology while standing firmly on its own pointe shoes.”
The Supporting Cast: New Faces and Familiar Favorites
While de Armas dominates the trailer, the ensemble adds rich texture to the Wickiverse:
- Gabriel Byrne as Rooney’s mentor, bringing gravitas to flashback sequences
- Catalina Sandino Moreno as a mysterious figure from Rooney’s past
- The Late Lance Reddick in one final appearance as the beloved Charon
- Norman Reedus rumored to play a tracker akin to Chapter 4‘s Mr. Nobody
Most intriguing is Ian McShane’s Winston appearing in a tense confrontation with Rooney—likely setting up his Chapter 4 power plays. The trailer smartly balances these connections without relying on franchise fatigue, letting Ballerina carve its own path.
Why This Could Redefine Female-Led Action
Ballerina arrives at a pivotal moment for women in action cinema. Unlike many female protagonists who simply replicate male hero tropes, Rooney’s fighting style—a fusion of dance and combat—feels authentically feminine without sacrificing lethality. The trailer emphasizes her emotional journey alongside the violence, avoiding the “emotionless badass” trope.
Early footage suggests the film will explore:
- How ballet training enhances combat (flexibility, spatial awareness)
- The psychological toll of assassin life
- Unique weapons like razor-sharp pointe shoes
With John Wick‘s creative team overseeing continuity, Ballerina has the potential to be more than a spin-off—it could be the franchise’s most emotionally nuanced entry yet.
Conclusion
The Ballerina trailer confirms what fans hoped—this is no cash-grab spin-off, but a worthy expansion of the Wickiverse that honors its legacy while en pirouetting into bold new territory. With de Armas’ magnetic performance, Wiseman’s slick direction, and the franchise’s signature world-building, June 2025 can’t come soon enough. As the trailer’s closing text declares: “Every murder is a performance.” And this one looks set to bring down the house.
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FAQs
1. Do I need to watch John Wick films before Ballerina?
While standalone, viewing Chapters 3 and 4 will enhance understanding of the High Table conflict.
2. Will Keanu Reeves have a major role?
He appears in a mentor capacity similar to Parabellum‘s Sofia scenes—impactful but not central.
