UPDATE: 2025-06-02 14:03 EST BY GRAEME GUTTMANN
New Report Debunks Ballerina Reshoot Rumors
Screen Rant has learned that initial reports surroundingBallerina’s reshoots are inaccurate. Inside sources have now confirmed key details about theJohn Wickspinoff’s reshoots overseen by director Len Wiseman and producer Chad Stahelski. The original article based on the initial report remains below, but you may get all the new informationhereor at the link below.
How The John Wick Spinoff Got Back On Track: The Real Story Behind Ballerina’s Reshoots
EXCLUSIVE: From the World of John Wick: Ballerina’s additional photography explained, from the length of reshoots, to all-new action sequences.
A new report sheds light onBallerina’s early cut, which apparently led to substantial reshoots fromJohn Wickdirector Chad Stahelski. The upcoming spinoff film from director Len Wiseman stars Ana de Armas as Eve, a female assassin who seeks revenge against those who killed her family.Ballerinawas initially slated to releasein summer 2024, but was pushed back to June 2025, with Lionsgate explaining at the time that the movie was to allow for the filming of additional action sequences to satisfy audiences' high expectations. Stahelski was said to be overseeing these reshoots.
A report fromThe Wrapnow sheds more light onBallerina’s reshoots situation, with insiders claiming that Stahelski was more involved than previously believed. According to the publication’s sources, the first cut of the film was deemed not strong enough. The report claims thatStahelski then reshot a “significant” portion of the film in Prague, with Wiseman not even present on the set.
One of the insiders cited in the report claims that, in total, the reshoots took two to three months to complete overseas, with Stahelski’s work on the project delaying hisHighlanderreboot starring Henry Cavill, which remains in the script stage. As for why Stahelski himself took over, one ofTheWrap’s insiders explains that it’s all about protecting the franchise from releasing a lackluster installment:
“Of course Chad had to clean up someone else’s mess. Remember, this film is basically ‘John Wick 3.5. This story happens before ‘John Wick 4’ and after that film, they can’t have a failure in anything ‘Wick’ related. Chad is going to do ‘Highlander,’ but cleaning up ‘Ballerina’ pushed him by five months for sure.”
What Ballerina’s Reshoots Mean For The Movie
Is The John Wick Spinoff In Trouble?
Two to three months of reshoots is a substantial amount of filmingfor a project that had already been completed. For reference, the entirety of filming onJohn Wick: Chapter 4reportedly took place in 2021 from June to October. Reshoots of this caliber can sometimes spell trouble for a film. Recently, for example, Eli Roth’sBorderlandsmovie underwent significant reshoots under director Tim Miller, and that film was a critical and commercial bomb.
When Ballerina Takes Place In The John Wick Timeline
Ana de Armas' spinoff movie Ballerina expands the John Wick universe, and when it takes place in the franchise timeline is officially confirmed.
The situation withBallerinais different, however, andthere’s reason to believe theJohn Wickspinoff won’t sufferBorderlands' same fate. Stahelski, after all, co-directed the firstJohn Wickmovie and solo-directed all of its sequels, all of which have been critically acclaimed. The franchise has been praised for its unique approach to action, and Stahelski is evidently a major part of this. The fact that he reshot such a large portion ofBallerinacould mean that this new footage is on par with the action featured in theJohn Wickmovies.
In addition to De Armas, theBallerinacast features returningJohn Wickcastmembers like Ian McShane, Anjelica Huston, and the late Lance Reddick. Keanu Reeves also returns as Wick for a cameo.
Our Take On Ballerina’s Reshoots Situation
Stahelski Is Integral To The John Wick Franchise’s Success
The fact that Stahelski himself directedBallerina’s new footage is what prevents this latest report from being a complete red flag. It’s certainly not a good sign that such extensive reshoots were needed in the first place, butStahelski has proven himself a singular talent when it comes to directing action, and having his voice now present in theJohn Wickspinoff could help the movie meet audience expectations.
Ballerina’s reshoots speak to a larger problem that the franchise will face moving forward, however.Reviews forThe Continental, the previousJohn Wickspinoff, were somewhat mixed, in particular due to the action, and Stahelski was more hands-off on that project (though he is credited as an executive producer). The fact that Wiseman’s first cut ofBallerinaalso reportedly failed to deliver satisfying action suggests that future installments could struggle if Stahelski doesn’t direct them, which isn’t a great sign for the franchise’s longevity.
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina
Cast
Ballerina follows Eve Macarro during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, as she undergoes rigorous training in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma. The film expands on the John Wick universe, charting Eve’s initiation into the clandestine world of professional assassins.
