Chad Stahelski details the vision for John Wick spin-off film Ballerina

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

When JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 – PARABELLUM burst onto the scene last year, the third film in Keanu Reeves' shoot-em-up franchise gave us much more than gorgeous set designs, jaw-dropping action, and plenty of dog-fu. The film had also teased the existence of another group of assassins led by Anjelica Huston's The Director, who during the events of Parabellum had paid dearly for honoring a request brought forth by a desperate Mr. Wick. In time we would learn that a John Wick spinoff titled BALLERINA is on the way, and that the project's director, Len Wiseman, already has some ideas as to where the female-focused off-shoot could go. Recently while speaking with The Hollywood Reporter about the development of John Wick 4, as well as his much-anticipated Highlander reboot, Chad Stahelski revealed a few new details about Wiseman's film, and how it will expand the John Wick Universe in ways that fans are bound to get excited about.

In talking about the BALLERINA film project, Stahelski told THR the following:

I’m a producer on Ballerina, and Len’s name came up; I think Basil Iwanyk, who’s the main producer on Ballerina, brought it up. I actually have known Len for a while. I worked for him when he was directing Live Free or Die Hard. I worked for him as a stuntman on the show. So, I met him a while ago, and I love Len. He’s very creative. He’s a very visual director. He has a great sense of style. It was very interesting. I think Len had contacted Basil about it and said that he’s got a take. I think he had read Ballerina first. You’d have to check with Len, but I think he’d read a version of Ballerina and somehow got it in his head. He had a take that he wanted to pitch to Basil about how Ballerina fit into the John Wick world and how he could really spin it and put his taste on it. So, Basil and Thunder Road heard the pitch, and they wanted me to hear it. So, I went to dinner with Len, and he pitched me on his ideas and what he wanted to do with it. I already think he’s a really good director, and I think he gets the tone. I think he understands action, and I think he’s got a good visual style. And right off the bat, I was like, “Oh, we’ve got to get this guy. He gets it.” So, right now, I know that him and Shay are developing Ballerina. I’m not exactly sure what stage it’s at, but it’s something I know that both Lionsgate, Thunder Road and myself would like to see happen sooner rather than later. And from what I’ve heard recently, they’ve got a good angle on it and they’re actively developing.

In addition to voicing his confidence in Wiseman's ability to deliver a film worthy of the John Wick namesake, Stahelski also teased that BALLERINA will include a different approach to the action seen throughout John Wick's bold and bloody journey of head shots and close calls with death:

Mm-hmm. The director has a lot to do, especially someone as stylistic and as good as Len is. Having him on board and approaching some of the action design from a slightly different perspective, meaning the set pieces, the character involvement, how and what he wants to do during the action sequences, makes it kind of fresh. So, we’re not just copying ourselves over and over again with gun-fu or something like that. And because the character is different, we’re going to get a different take on things. But as far as the level, the competence or the style of action? Yes. I plan to be there to assist whenever I can. And our 87eleven stunt team will be very actively involved in helping Len in all his action needs.

When BALLERINA pirouettes into production, the spinoff is expected to tell the story of a young female assassin who wants revenge against those who killed her family. Shay Hatten (JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 – PARABELLUM, ARMY OF THE DEAD) penned the script, which has Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, Keanu Reeves, and Chad Stahelski producing. While it's previously been reported that Lionsgate is eyeing Chloë Grace Moretz (SUSPIRIA, NOVEMBER CRIMINALS) for the lead role, the actress' participation has yet to be officially confirmed.

For the moment, JOHN WICK 4 is scheduled to arrive in theaters on May 27, 2022. Meanwhile, plans for Starz's John Wick television spinoff, titled The Continental, are still happening behind closed doors.