<em>From the World of John Wick: Ballerina</em> diverges from the conventional film series approach by introducing a fresh assassin lead in Ana de Armas’ character, Eve. This narrative promises a unique storyline that explores themes of vengeance and personal growth, particularly as Eve sets out on a mission to avenge her father’s murder. Despite the John Wick franchise’s longstanding success over the past decade, Eve’s origin story offers a depth and background that Keanu Reeves’ iconic character never received, thanks to the anticipated release of Ballerina in 2025.

While John Wick and the accompanying films have been the primary focus of the franchise’s narrative, Ballerina faces the challenge of attracting dedicated fans of the Baba Yaga character by concentrating on a new and lesser-known protagonist. However, the casting of A-lister Ana de Armas has the potential to draw in audiences. The filmmakers appear to be aware of this challenge, as they have included John Wick in a cameo appearance alongside de Armas in the movie. This inclusion, coupled with Eve’s unique narrative, contributes to making Ballerina an intriguing addition to the expansive franchise.

Discover Eve Maccaro’s Transformative Journey to Becoming an Assassin in Ballerina

Experience Eve’s Origin Story That John Wick Never Received

While the John Wick series has predominantly revolved around intense action sequences featuring Wick, de Armas’ portrayal of Eve introduces a distinct narrative angle by showcasing her character’s training to become a skilled assassin. Although both characters share a thirst for vengeance, Eve’s journey is uniquely her own, offering audiences a fresh perspective that transcends merely being a female counterpart to Reeves’ character. The way Eve’s backstory intertwines with Wick’s makes Ballerina a significant and engaging chapter within the larger John Wick universe.

As the film’s director, Len Wiseman, articulates, Ballerina focuses on Eve’s journey of “becoming an assassin,” contrasting sharply with John Wick’s narrative arc, which centers on his struggle to escape the life of an assassin (as noted in an interview with Empire). De Armas elaborates further, stating that Eve’s youth and emotional intensity drive her approach to her mission, which influences her decisions and leads to mistakes. This dynamic places Eve in a different realm compared to Wick’s seasoned expertise.

The John Wick films have yet to delve deeply into what it was like for a young girl like Eve to grow up amidst the training and chaos of the High Table’s criminal underworld. While John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum provided some insight into the rigorous training that the Ruska Roma ballerinas undergo to become lethal assassins, Ballerina aims to highlight the challenges and adversities that Eve and her fellow trainees must overcome, thereby illuminating the dark and secretive society that Wick navigated for many years.

How Ballerina’s Origin Story Distinguishes It From Keanu Reeves’ John Wick Films

Ballerina Offers a Fresh Perspective That Sets It Apart from the John Wick Movies

The main John Wick films portray their protagonist as a notorious and exceptionally skilled assassin with extensive experience. In contrast, while Eve trains under the Ruska Roma, the same assassin tribe that nurtured Wick, she does not possess his level of combat proficiency, presenting her with greater challenges in her encounters. Eve’s fighting style is distinct, offering new avenues for storytelling and exhilarating fight sequences within the franchise.

Ballerina also illustrates how Eve was left orphaned following her father’s murder and subsequently taken under Winston’s care. Wick’s films never explored his childhood, choosing instead to focus on his experiences as a seasoned killer. The stark contrast in timelines—Eve’s pursuit of vengeance stemming from childhood—deepens her character and provides a narrative rich with emotional complexity, diverging significantly from Wick’s path.

The Exploration of John Wick’s Origin Story Remains Unlikely

Why It’s Best to Leave John Wick’s Origins Unexplored in Film

Although Reeves’ character met his demise at the conclusion of John Wick: Chapter 4, the franchise will continue to expand upon his character through the narrative of Ballerina, which is set between the third and fourth installments. Additionally, Wick is slated to appear in another prequel film focused on his “Impossible Task.” Completing this secret mission was a pivotal moment, allowing him to retire from the criminal world and marry his late wife, whose death occurred before the events of the first John Wick film.

While this prequel may touch on some aspects of Wick’s life prior to the original film, it is improbable that his comprehensive origin story as an assassin will be explored. The third and fourth John Wick films already provided ample context regarding his family and mentors within the criminal underworld as he evaded capture. This foundation offers viewers sufficient insight into Wick’s character before the initial film, making a prequel that delves deeper into these particulars appear somewhat unnecessary.

Moreover, given Wick’s fearsome reputation as the Baba Yaga, it seems prudent to avoid fully uncovering his origins in a prequel. A significant aspect of Wick’s terrifying persona is rooted in the mysteries surrounding his past, as the films intentionally leave certain elements shrouded in ambiguity. This uncertainty compels audiences to speculate about the heinous actions he may have committed to attain his feared status. Revealing too much about Wick’s origins could undermine the chilling yet captivating intrigue surrounding his character.

Ballerina’s Unique Approach to Assassin Origin Stories Refreshes the John Wick Franchise

The John Wick Formula Remains Fresh and Engaging

By introducing a completely new character with a distinctive origin story, Ballerina successfully differentiates itself and Eve from John Wick and the previous films. This fresh perspective contrasts with the potential focus on already established characters like Sofia (Halle Berry), Caine (Donnie Yen), or Akira (Rina Sawayama). By taking this alternative approach, the film leaves ample room for surprises, as nothing concrete about Eve’s character or background has been disclosed in earlier installments.

Since Ballerina centers on a female assassin, the film presents the John Wick universe from a fresh perspective, traditionally dominated by its male leads. Viewers have only glimpsed the lives of ballerinas like Eve in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, during Wick’s flight from the law. The franchise now has the opportunity to explore the darker aspects of the John Wick world through the lens of a character who actively engages in them.

Although it won’t mirror previous films in the series, From the World of John Wick: Ballerina validates its presence by taking a distinctive narrative approach. Through Eve’s journey, audiences will gain insights into the workings of the High Table as she undergoes training to become a proficient assassin. By steering clear of the traditional John Wick formula, Ana de Armas’ film presents a narrative that feels fresh and avoids the pitfalls of redundancy.

Source: Empire