Len Wiseman Talks Crafting the World of Ballerina, a Gritty and Graceful Expansion of the John Wick Universe – Interview

Len Wiseman reflects on Ballerina, Lance Reddick, and joining the John Wick franchise.

Ballerina, the long-awaited female-led installment in the John Wick universe, is now in theaters and turning heads for its stylish action and emotional depth. Directed by Underworld and Live Free or Die Hard filmmaker Len Wiseman, the film takes place during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and follows Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas), a young assassin-in-training within the deadly Ruska Roma syndicate.

I spoke with Wiseman to discuss joining the Wick world, collaborating with Ana de Armas, and paying tribute to the late actor Lance Reddick.

Getting the Call and Embracing the World of Wick

When Wiseman was offered Ballerina, he was already a fan of the franchise. “I was definitely following this world closely before and loved the films,” he told me. “Tone is very important to me, and I think this series has a great tone—one that balances stylized action with emotional depth.”

Wiseman emphasized the appeal of the Wick universe’s choreography-driven action, layered storytelling, and world-building. After producer Basil Iwanyk called him, he jumped at the opportunity. “Just the initial idea had me hooked,” he said. “It’s the kind of action I really like—focused, creative, and gritty.”

Ana de Armas and Avoiding Assassin Tropes

Ana de Armas leads the film with what Wiseman describes as “beautiful pain” and undeniable strength. “She was amazing to work with. We clicked very early on about what the character should and shouldn’t be,” Wiseman said. “There are traps and tropes around female assassins, and we worked hard to avoid those.”

In shaping Eve, Wiseman leaned into survivalist themes and even had de Armas watch First Blood as homework. “This was my homage to Rambo,” he said. “It’s about a character who’s being hunted, not one attacking. She’s creating weapons on the go, fighting with grit more than gadgets.”

Revisiting Franchise Icons

Ballerina features returning faces including Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane, and the late Lance Reddick—pillars of the John Wick saga. “It was a blessing to have them on board,” said Wiseman. “It really connects the world and makes the film feel like a true part of the universe.”

He also reflected on working with Reddick, who filmed his scenes in just two days. “He had such class. The reason that character resonates with people is because so much of him is in that role,” Wiseman said. “And he was a massive nerd! We geeked out over movies and genre references like Maniac Cop. It was a short time, but unforgettable.”

Building a Noir World in the Snow

Though Ballerina fits seamlessly into the timeline of John Wick 3, Wiseman viewed it more as a “parallel film” than a spin-off. “It crosses with iconic moments from Chapter 3, so visually it had to align. But we got to create something new too,” he explained.

That new aesthetic included snowy, noir-tinged towns and expanded locations that still feel true to the Wick universe. “Lighting snow is tricky—it’s like one giant bounce card,” Wiseman joked. “But we embraced it and pushed the visual style with colors and shadows to maintain that gritty feel.”

A Fierce Standalone with Franchise Firepower

Ballerina isn’t just a tie-in—it’s a fierce and emotional standalone story led by a powerhouse performance from Ana de Armas and supported by a cast that includes Norman Reedus, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Catalina Sandino Moreno, and more.

With Len Wiseman at the helm, the film balances style and soul, continuing the franchise’s legacy while giving fans something fresh. “It’s about pain, purpose, and survival,” Wiseman concluded. “And Ana brought all of that—and more—to the screen.”

About the Film

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, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Norman Reedus, Ian McShane, and Keanu Reeves

Synopsis:

Taking place during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, Ballerina follows Eve Macarro, a fierce new assassin training under the Ruska Roma, as she carves her own path through grief, revenge, and survival.

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