Lionsgate hopes to expand the John Wick universe with Ballerina

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

JOHN WICK has proven to be quite the feather in Lionsgate's cap and the studio seems keen to expand the franchise even further. After the first film from David Leitch and Chad Stahelski proved to be an action-packed hit, a second installment was soon developed which became an even bigger success. Naturally, a third chapter is in the works but THR reports that Lionsgate may be looking to introduce spin-off's to the JOHN WICK universe as well.

The studio has come away as the victor in a bidding war for a female-centric spec action script by the name of BALLERINA, which will also serve as a platform for a possible JOHN WICK spin-off. Not much is know about the film, which is said to in the same vein as Luc Besson's LA FEMME NIKITA, but with a little Quentin Tarantino and Matthew Vaughn hyper-stylized pulp thrown in for good measure. BALLERINA will follow a "young woman raised as an assassin who must hunt down the other assassins that murdered her family." Sounds like it wouldn't take much to make it fit into the JOHN WICK universe. Several studios, including Warner Bros. and Universal, were also eager to snag the script, but Lionsgate saw it as a way to grow the JOHN WICK franchise. BALLERINA was scripted by Shay Hatten, who is currently working as a writer's assistant for Robert Downey Jr.'s production company.

As for the next chapter of the JOHN WICK franchise, which is currently in development, JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 director Chad Stahelski told JoBlo that the sequel may not necessarily be bigger than the previous two, but will hopefully be "more creative and different." Stahelski also mentioned a few of the elements he's hoping to explore in the threequel.

We are going to put in something about the High Table, how that all works. We’re going to put in something about where John comes from, and where he wants to go. I don’t want to say too much more, but it will be a nice completion to Mr Wick’s journey.

When asked whether JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 will serve as the finale of the JOHN WICK trilogy, Chad Stahelski said, "in our minds, yes. But I’ll let the studio answer those sort of questions." It seems that the creative team is hoping that JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 will wrap up John Wick's story, but if it does well and brings in more money, well, never say never. Developing JOHN WICK spin-off's would also be a good way to keep the franchise moving.

Would you be pleased to see the JOHN WICK franchise grow beyond its main character?