The enduring legacy of Baba Yaga is reignited as a fresh Continental resident graces the screens with the action-packed film Ballerina. Starring Ana De Armas, who previously showcased her remarkable action skills in No Time to Die, this film serves as a robust addition to the John Wick universe. Our Editor-in-Chief Chris Bumbray thoroughly enjoyed the film, stating in his review, “Ballerina is among the most gratifying franchise spin-offs in recent times. In an age dominated by intellectual property, every studio is eager to exploit the potential for sequels and spin-offs linked to their major franchises. Lionsgate has an extensive lineup planned around the John Wick series. However, what distinguishes Ballerina is its unique narrative, which feels less like a mere derivative of the franchise.”

Although Ballerina isn’t a traditional Keanu Reeves film, his prominent role in the marketing strategy aims to attract fans eager for more of the Wick action that they have come to love. The promotional materials even highlight the film with the full title, “From the World of John Wick: Ballerina.” The question remains: will this marketing strategy succeed? According to Deadline, early estimates for Thursday preview box office totals hover between $3.5 million and $4 million, inclusive of special fan screenings held on Wednesday night at 7 pm. Furthermore, the early Thursday showings commenced at 6 pm, indicating a strong interest from audiences.

Lionsgate has faced challenges with recent releases, including films like Borderlands, The Crow, Killer’s Game, and Megalopolis, each of which performed poorly at the box office. However, when it comes to franchises, the John Wick series has proven to be a lucrative venture for the studio, with John Wick: Chapter 4 successfully crossing the billion-dollar mark. In light of the delays and reshoots that have plagued Ballerina, expectations are set for the film to achieve approximately $30 million over the weekend. Its main competitor will be the ongoing success of the Disney live-action Lilo & Stitch remake, which has shown strong performance.

Ballerina is receiving a positive reaction from audiences and critics alike, as evidenced by its impressive aggregate score of 72% on Rotten Tomatoes, marking it as a certified fresh title. The audience rating has soared to an impressive 93%. In discussions about the future of the franchise, director Chad Stahelski was recently queried on the likelihood of a John Wick 5. The mastermind behind the franchise responded, “The studio is very eager to make it happen at some point. They’ve been fantastic and encouraged us to really explore ideas, and we have some compelling concepts we’re excited to pursue.”