Premiere - Ballerina : The John Wick Universe Evolves with Elegance and Vengeance at the Los Angeles Premiere

By Mulder, Los Angeles, Hollywood, TCL Chinese Theater, 03 june 2025

On the evening of June 3, 2025, the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood transformed into a shrine of cinematic reverence and electrifying glamour as Lionsgate rolled out the black carpet for the final major premiere of Ballerina, the long-awaited spin-off in the John Wick universe. It marked not just the end of a worldwide promotional tour but also the beginning of a new chapter for a franchise that has redefined modern action cinema. The event was attended by a stellar cast, including Ana de Armas, Keanu Reeves, Anjelica Huston, Ian McShane, Norman Reedus, Catalina Sandino Moreno, David Castañeda, and Gabriel Byrne, all of whom were joined by director Len Wiseman, franchise producer Chad Stahelski, co-producers Erica Lee and Basil Iwanyk, and screenwriter Shay Hatten. Together, they took the stage before an audience of nearly 800 invited guests to celebrate not only the completion of the film but also the legacy it continues and the future it promises. One of the most moving moments of the night came when Keanu Reeves and Chad Stahelski led a tribute to the late Lance Reddick, who reprises his role as Charon in what is now confirmed to be his final screen appearance. Ana de Armas followed with a heartfelt speech, visibly emotional as she reflected on stepping into the role of Eve Macarro, the new face of vengeance in this mythic universe.

Ana de Armas, a longtime ambassador for Louis Vuitton, arrived at the premiere in a head-turning gown from the French fashion house’s High Jewelry collection. Styled by her trusted collaborator Samantha McMillen—who also curated Elle Fanning’s looks during the 2025 Cannes Film Festival—de Armas wore a set of white gold and diamond pieces that enhanced the understated power of her black carpet presence. Her hair, styled in cascading waves by Jenny Cho, and makeup by Mélanie Inglessis, featuring strong brows and a glossy lip, perfectly balanced fierceness with elegance, much like the character she embodies in the film. De Armas has worn several Louis Vuitton custom pieces throughout the press tour for Ballerina, reaffirming her relationship with the brand since joining them in June 2023. Speaking to WWD ahead of the Los Angeles premiere, she described the emotional connection she felt to the script, saying, “As much action as there was on the page, I could see the heart too. The emotionality of the character is so important in the film, I was just like, ‘oh, I have to do this.’” That passion translates into every frame of the film, and her performance has already been praised by those who had early access to the screening, including none other than Tom Cruise.

The endorsement from Tom Cruise, shared publicly during his Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning press tour, is no small gesture in an industry where such praise from contemporaries is increasingly rare. Cruise’s enthusiasm was evident as he told the Associated Press, “John Wick—I love that franchise and what those guys do. I know what it takes to create these kinds of stories and do it. And now they have Ballerina coming out with Ana, that’s outstanding.” De Armas herself spoke about how meaningful his support was, telling Variety’s Marc Malkin, “It is very special that someone like him is supporting Ballerina. It is really special in general to have other actors and people supporting each other. We can do well all together.” These words carry more weight when you consider the rigorous demands of the production, which saw de Armas pushing her physical and emotional limits in a grueling shoot that spanned Prague and Budapest. “Everything hurt,” she admitted. “My hands, my nails were broken, bruises everywhere, my neck. It was a lot of fun actually.” It’s clear that Ballerina is not merely a spin-off but a performance-driven action film grounded in emotional stakes and physical sacrifice.

The origins of Ballerina trace back to screenwriter Shay Hatten’s fascination with the visual world of John Wick: Chapter 2. A brief ballet sequence seen in the film sparked Hatten’s imagination, leading him to write a spec script that ultimately landed on the 2017 Black List—a prestigious compilation of the industry's best unproduced screenplays. This early concept was later canonized into John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, where audiences briefly met Unity Phelan’s haunting ballerina. That glimpse hinted at a world ripe with new stories, and now, through Ballerina, that promise is fulfilled with Ana de Armas portraying Eve Macarro—a trained assassin from the Ruska Roma syndicate who seeks revenge after the murder of her father. The film is set between the events of Parabellum and Chapter 4, enriching the overarching narrative rather than simply existing adjacent to it. Under Len Wiseman’s direction, known for stylish genre films like Underworld and Live Free or Die Hard, Ballerina balances visceral action with an unexpected elegance that elevates it above a typical genre entry.

Wiseman’s direction was supplemented significantly by Chad Stahelski, the franchise’s co-creator and visual architect, who oversaw an extended round of reshoots lasting several months. Rather than being indicative of creative uncertainty, Stahelski’s involvement represents a tightening of vision and tone. These reshoots included sequences with Norman Reedus, who rearranged his schedule mid-tour in Japan to fly to Budapest—an anecdote that speaks volumes about the international coordination and commitment behind the scenes. The cast reflects this blend of the familiar and the fresh. Franchise veterans like Anjelica Huston, Ian McShane, and Keanu Reeves lend gravitas and continuity, while newcomers such as Reedus, Gabriel Byrne, and Catalina Sandino Moreno introduce new energies and tensions. Reedus’s role remains shrouded in mystery, fueling speculation that his character may have franchise-spanning implications. Meanwhile, the late Lance Reddick’s presence adds a somber resonance that reminds audiences of how much this universe has grown—and what it has lost.

Musically, the film returns to its roots with a score composed by Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard, the duo responsible for establishing the signature sonic palette of the John Wick series. Their compositions, paired with the haunting lead single Hand That Feeds by Halsey and Amy Lee, bring an emotional undercurrent to the film’s explosive action. The track, released in May 2025, is a bold, operatic anthem that encapsulates the emotional extremes of Eve Macarro’s journey—at once furious and mournful, violent and vulnerable. These auditory choices are not merely decorative; they underscore a broader tonal evolution. Where John Wick was defined by its stoic protagonist and mythic atmosphere, Ballerina introduces a narrative that is both more intimate and more melancholic, exploring trauma, loss, and discipline through a distinctly feminine lens. Rather than expanding the Wick universe just for the sake of IP proliferation, Ballerina offers a recalibration—one that prioritizes character, emotion, and a new kind of storytelling rhythm.

As the credits rolled at the Los Angeles premiere and the audience rose to their feet in applause, there was a palpable sense that Ballerina had done more than meet expectations—it had exceeded them. In just 125 minutes, it managed to enrich the mythology of one of the most visually distinct and thematically rich action franchises in modern cinema. Lionsgate has already signaled intentions for a sequel, and with producer Erica Lee confirming development in early talks, it’s increasingly clear that Ana de Armas’s Eve Macarro is not a one-time heroine. She is the future of the franchise, not by mimicking John Wick, but by dancing her own deadly dance—one fueled not by a vendetta for a pet, but by the raw, unrelenting ache of familial betrayal. With its theatrical debut set for June 6 in the United States, Ballerina arrives not as a mere companion piece but as a vital, standalone pillar of a growing mythology—one that moves with the grace of a pirouette and strikes with the force of a bullet.

Discover the official red carpet interviews videos :

Itw Chad Stahelski

Itw Ana de Armas

Itw Len Wiseman

Itw Keanu Reeves

Itw Derek Kolstad

Itw Ian McShane

Itw Norman Reedus

Itw Gabriel Byrne

Itw Catalina Sandino Moreno

Itw Anjelica Huston

Itw Daniel Bernhardt

Itw Amy Lee and kflay

Itw David Castaneda

Itw Victoria Comte

You can discover the official photos in our Flickr page for a limited period

Synopsis
Set during John Wick: Parabellum, Ballerina follows the relentless revenge of Eve Macarro, the new assassin of the Ruska Roma organization.

Ballerina
Directed by Len Wiseman
Written by Shay Hatten
Based on Characters by Derek Kolstad
Produced by Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, Chad Stahelski
Starring Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Norman Reedus, Ian McShane, Keanu Reeves
Cinematography : Romain Lacourbas
Edited by Jason Ballantine
Music by Tyler Bates, Joel J. Richard
Production companies : Summit Entertainment, Thunder Road Films, 87North Productions
Distributed by Lionsgate
Release date : June 4, 2025 (France), June 6, 2025 (United States)
Running time : 125 minutes