Knives OutandNo Time to Diestar Ana de Armas sees her stock continues to rise as reports suggest she is in talks to be the lead in aJohn Wickspinoff titledBallerina, a script born out of the ballet assassin concept introduced inJohn Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum.
Back in 2019, the third film in theJohn Wicksaga featured an intriguing character, played byNew York CityBallet soloist Unity Phelan, who was undergoing training to become an assassin, and it now looks like that idea will fully come to fruition. Although the project had been reportedly greenlit two years ago with Len Wiseman (Underworld) as director andParabellumwriter Shay Hatten, in de Armas Lionsgate seem to have found their killer ballet muse.
RELATED:John Wick Is The Modern Day Western Series Inspired By ‘The Man With No Name’ TrilogyAccording to Deadline, de Armas would play a young ballerina assassin who,much like John Wick, is out to get revenge against those who murdered her family.Ballerinawould bringJohn Wickproducers Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee on board, as well as franchise director Chad Stahelski. However, it’s a complete mystery whether Keanu Reeves' titular character could make some sort of cameo appearance. That said, the outlet reports there is a hope that Reeves and Anjelica Huston could make cameos.
The reported budget forBallerinawould be in the $50-80m region, putting it in line with the previous threeJohn Wickfilms to perhaps seeking that same profitability the franchise has netted so far. De Armas’ upcoming projects include an action movie,The Gray Man, as well as a Marylin Monroe biopic titledBlonde.But undoubtedly, her scintillating role inNo Time to Diemust have been what made her the preferred choice for the part.
Her Bond character Paloma, a CIA agent who meets up with 007 for a mission in Cuba, was seen by many as one of the biggest highlights of the film and also as further proof of how wellNo Time to Diemodernizes Bond girls. Ironically, de Armas has been said to be a late addition inNo Time to Die, coming in part due to Daniel Craig’s personal request after loving working with her inKnives Out, which may explain her somewhat limited screen time.
BesidesJohn Wick: Chapter 4coming on August 05, 2025, Derek Kolstad and Lionsgate continue to expand theJohn Wickuniverse by also having theprequel seriesThe Continentalas a next year project. IfBallerinagoes on to be as big asJohn Wick, then no one will even think of what a female James Bond would look like.
Ballerinais in development.
MORE:The Next Incarnation Of The Bond Franchise Should Take Inspiration From The Roger Moore Era
