It seems rather fitting to see Ana de Armas taking the lead in a story within John Wick’s universe. After all, she’s has a knack for action with films like No Time to Die and Ghosted, and she’s worked with Keanu Reeves in both Knock Knock and Exposed. The real question with Ballerina is whether audiences will want to see a John Wick-like film with a female lead. I can already imagine the incel crowd chirping about how John Wick is now tainted with the touch of – (Ick!! Dare I say it….) – Women. That same crowd may also have forgotten about Adrianne Palicki’s assassin in the first film, and Halle Berry’s character with her dogs in the third. Female Assassins are as old at the Kunoichi. Perhaps even far older than that. There are so many tales to be told, especially in this universe.

I’m excited to see how this turns out. With a look that mirrors Le Femme Nikita and Point of No Return, de Armas’ Eve looks to be just as dangerous as her predecessor, possibly as one of the Ballerina assassins referenced in John Wick 3. The trailer has the feel of the other movies, but we’ll have to wait and find out when it releases. Len Wiseman has the directing duties on this one. It’s been a while since he made a movie, but I did enjoy the style of 2012’s Total Recall. Hopefully, he’ll do good here.

The only thing that I find odd is the name – audiences all know it has to do with John Wick. Does it have to have that whole “From the World of John Wick” in the title? I’m pretty sure your average movie viewer will put things together once they see the Continental, Winston (Ian McShane) or Charon (Lance Reddick, in one of his final roles). Also on hand are Norman Reedus (The Bikeriders) and of course, Keanu Reeves, which could just be a cameo.

From the World of John Wick: Ballerina will be in cinemas in 2025.