Ballerina’s Ian McShane Reveals What Delayed the John Wick Spinoff

The release of Ballerina, the eagerly awaited John Wick spinoff, has been postponed by nearly a year, now set for the summer of 2025, in a surprising twist.

Fans of the thrilling franchise were looking forward to the premiere of this new installment, featuring Ana de Armas in the role of Rooney, the ballerina-assassin. Ian McShane, reprising his role as Winston, clarified that the postponement is due to the incorporation of new action scenes to meet the John Wick saga’s intense standards. McShane clarified:

”
It’s not reshoots, it’s new shoots. They’re shooting for Ballerina, which is the spinoff with Ana de Armas of the John Wick franchise.
You know, it’s like they’ve got to protect the franchise. And obviously I did it, when was it? We did it about a year ago, we did the movie Ballerina and they’ve looked at it, and Chad’s [Stahelski] come in, the guy who directed all the John Wick movies, and they want to make it better. Because they have to protect it.”

McShane’s clarification on The One Show reveals that the production team is not merely reshooting scenes but adding entirely new ones. The involvement of Chad Stahelski, the director behind the John Wick films, signals a commitment to maintaining the franchise’s reputation for thrilling action sequences.

The narrative of Ballerina is set between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4, following Rooney as she seeks vengeance for the murder of her family. The film’s cast also includes notable names such as Gabriel Byrne, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Norman Reedus, and the late Lance Reddick, adding depth to the ensemble.

Keanu Reeves Will Return as John Wick in the Ballerina

The screenplay, crafted by Shay Hatten, promises a fresh perspective on the action genre, with director Len Wiseman bringing a unique approach to the film’s set pieces and character involvement. Stahelski’s role as a producer and creative advisor ensures that Ballerina will not only offer a distinct take on action sequences but also remain true to the stylistic elements that have defined the John Wick series.

The film’s storyline gains an added dimension of intrigue with the confirmation that Keanu Reeves will once again portray John Wick in Ballerina. The revelation has piqued the interest of fans, especially considering the unresolved fate of the character in John Wick: Chapter 4. Stahelski’s comments on the duality of John Wick’s character suggest that the spinoff may explore new dimensions of his persona.

The decision to delay the release of Ballerina underscores the filmmakers’ dedication to delivering a product that meets the high expectations of the franchise’s fanbase. The Ballerina team’s commitment to improving the film’s action sequences through extra time and resources guarantees its place as a valuable addition to the John Wick universe.