Ana de Armas fighting Keanu Reeves in Ballerina was 'intense', actress says, "He’s the one that you look up to"

Set between John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4, the film blends the franchise’s trademark high-octane action, intricate lore, and breathtaking stunts with a fresh perspective.

In the enigmatic world of John Wick, a new force emerges from the shadows — Eve Macarro, portrayed by Ana de Armas. Ballerina, directed by Len Wiseman, follows Eve, a fiercely trained assassin fueled by vengeance, as she hunts down those responsible for destroying her family.

Set between John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4, the film blends the franchise’s trademark high-octane action, intricate lore, and breathtaking stunts with a fresh perspective.

But this isn’t just another spin-off. Ballerina forges a new narrative path, with Eve stepping out of John Wick’s shadow to write her own legacy. A highlight of the film is a gripping encounter with Wick himself, a tense face-off that underscores the depth of their world. As Ana de Armas puts it, “He’s the one you look up to — especially if you’re from the Ruska Roma. He’s the goal, the legend.”

The tension-filled face-off between Eve Macarro and John Wick in Ballerina wasn’t just a dramatic on-screen climax — it marked one of the very first action sequences filmed for the movie. Cara Marie Chooljian, Ana de Armas’s primary fight double and trainer, recalled the pressure of the moment: “It was kind of intense because that was the first real fight that we did. It’s a huge moment in the film, and we told Ana, ‘We’re going to throw you into the water. Go ahead, fight Keanu Reeves, fight John Wick.’”

Despite the daunting task, de Armas delivered. Thanks to her quick grasp of choreography and Reeves’ extensive experience with action, the team captured a powerful moment early in the shoot. Chooljian noted that while both actors have different working styles, their shared drive for perfection made the scene exceptional. “If what they did isn’t perfect, they want to do it again,” she said — a philosophy that echoes the precision and persistence that defines the John Wick franchise.

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Bringing this bold new chapter to audiences across India, PVRINOX Pictures is set to release Ballerina in an expansive theatrical rollout on June 13th. The film will be available in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, further cementing the franchise’s reach among Indian viewers. With the massive popularity of the John Wick series in India, Ballerina is already shaping up to be the next must-watch action phenomenon.