Ana de Armas played a key role in getting Keanu Reeves to reprise his role as John Wick for the highly anticipated spin-off, Ballerina. According to Thunder Road producers Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, de Armas, a long-time fan of the John Wick franchise, was initially brought on through her agents, with her enthusiasm for the project evident from the start. Iwanyk shared that, although they initially weren’t sure if Reeves would join, de Armas, who has known him for years, helped persuade him. “She was definitely helpful in getting Keanu excited about the movie,” Iwanyk explained, adding that Reeves is also “a gigantic fan of Ana.”
In Ballerina, de Armas plays Eve Macarro, a fierce and relentless character seeking closure for her past. According to Iwanyk, “she’s no victim, no damsel in distress,” even taking down as many opponents as John Wick did in his first film. Producer Erica Lee explains that while John was trying to “get out” of the violent world, Eve is determined to “get in” as she uncovers answers about her past, adding a new depth to this action-packed revenge story.
The producers acknowledge that Ballerina will face comparisons to John Wick, with fans expecting the same intense action and strong storytelling. “People go in with a high expectation of action and look and feel and vibe, which is terrifying,” Iwanyk said, adding that the filmmakers hope viewers care about Eve’s journey as deeply as they did for Wick. Ballerina is set to hit theaters on June 6, 2025. Meanwhile, the original John Wick celebrates its 10
