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Ana de Armas learns to ‘fight like a girl' in John Wick spin-off
Ana de Armas learns to ‘fight like a girl' in John Wick spin-off

Sydney Morning Herald

time07-06-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Sydney Morning Herald

Ana de Armas learns to ‘fight like a girl' in John Wick spin-off

FROM THE WORLD OF JOHN WICK: BALLERINA ★★ (MA) 125 minutes Rumours of a fifth John Wick film, with Keanu Reeves returning as the world's favourite globetrotting, puppy-loving assassin, remain just rumours for the moment. Meanwhile, Ballerina is being marketed as 'from the world of John Wick' meaning that the heroine Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas) is a graduate of the Ruska Roma assassin academy for young ladies, which was first seen in John Wick Chapter 3: Parabellum decorously presenting itself to the world as a ballet school. Anjelica Huston returns as the school's stern, largely deskbound director, and Reeves has what amounts to an extended cameo as Wick, who eventually becomes Eve's reluctant mentor (if you're keeping track, the action takes place in between the third and fourth Wick films). This has its risks. If you want to watch a James Bond movie, it doesn't mean you want to watch a movie about some other charmingly lethal spy you've never heard of, while Bond stops by for 10 minutes or so to offer advice and support from a distance (nothing like this has ever happened in the past, at least not on the big screen – but we can't rule it out since Amazon now owns the rights to Bond). Not only does this risk diluting your original brand, but it also gives the impression that you don't believe your new story and character can stand on their own two feet. In the case of Ballerina, there's some reason for this anxiety. The Wick connection aside, what we're dealing with is a very standard revenge yarn, following Eve after graduation as she heads for Europe to seek out the sinister clan that killed her father (David Castaneda). Good action films have been based on slimmer premises, but none of it winds up being very satisfying, although there's no single reason why. The script is rather disjointed, failing to do much with either the ballerina premise or the backstory involving Eve's dad. The director Len Wiseman isn't incompetent, but makes no attempt to match the dazzling stunt work of the Wick films at their best. Nor is De Armas the equal of Reeves as an action star (a motif introduced early on involves Eve learning to 'fight like a girl,' but this, too, is exploited less interestingly than might be hoped). Despite all the impalings and bullets to the head, there is in the end a fatal softness to the whole enterprise: De Armas as Eve is too little the relentless force of nature, too much the worried ingenue, fronting up for her early missions with the look of a would-be entrepreneur applying for her first job at a publishing company.

Ana de Armas learns to ‘fight like a girl' in John Wick spin-off
Ana de Armas learns to ‘fight like a girl' in John Wick spin-off

The Age

time07-06-2025

  • Entertainment
  • The Age

Ana de Armas learns to ‘fight like a girl' in John Wick spin-off

FROM THE WORLD OF JOHN WICK: BALLERINA ★★ (MA) 125 minutes Rumours of a fifth John Wick film, with Keanu Reeves returning as the world's favourite globetrotting, puppy-loving assassin, remain just rumours for the moment. Meanwhile, Ballerina is being marketed as 'from the world of John Wick' meaning that the heroine Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas) is a graduate of the Ruska Roma assassin academy for young ladies, which was first seen in John Wick Chapter 3: Parabellum decorously presenting itself to the world as a ballet school. Anjelica Huston returns as the school's stern, largely deskbound director, and Reeves has what amounts to an extended cameo as Wick, who eventually becomes Eve's reluctant mentor (if you're keeping track, the action takes place in between the third and fourth Wick films). This has its risks. If you want to watch a James Bond movie, it doesn't mean you want to watch a movie about some other charmingly lethal spy you've never heard of, while Bond stops by for 10 minutes or so to offer advice and support from a distance (nothing like this has ever happened in the past, at least not on the big screen – but we can't rule it out since Amazon now owns the rights to Bond). Not only does this risk diluting your original brand, but it also gives the impression that you don't believe your new story and character can stand on their own two feet. In the case of Ballerina, there's some reason for this anxiety. The Wick connection aside, what we're dealing with is a very standard revenge yarn, following Eve after graduation as she heads for Europe to seek out the sinister clan that killed her father (David Castaneda). Good action films have been based on slimmer premises, but none of it winds up being very satisfying, although there's no single reason why. The script is rather disjointed, failing to do much with either the ballerina premise or the backstory involving Eve's dad. The director Len Wiseman isn't incompetent, but makes no attempt to match the dazzling stunt work of the Wick films at their best. Nor is De Armas the equal of Reeves as an action star (a motif introduced early on involves Eve learning to 'fight like a girl,' but this, too, is exploited less interestingly than might be hoped). Despite all the impalings and bullets to the head, there is in the end a fatal softness to the whole enterprise: De Armas as Eve is too little the relentless force of nature, too much the worried ingenue, fronting up for her early missions with the look of a would-be entrepreneur applying for her first job at a publishing company.

'John Wick' Director Gives Update on Fifth Film
'John Wick' Director Gives Update on Fifth Film

Newsweek

time06-06-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Newsweek

'John Wick' Director Gives Update on Fifth Film

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors The "John Wick" series is easily one of the most popular and critically acclaimed action franchises in the history of film. More Entertainment: Ryan Coogler Confirms Denzel Washington Has a Part in 'Black Panther 3' This is largely because of incredible action sequences, fascinating world-building, and a great performance by action legend Keanu Reeves. With the spin-off film "From the World of John Wick: Ballerina" now in theaters and another film based on the fan-favorite character Caine in the works, fans are now wondering if Reeves will make his return as the Baba Yaga. According to series director Chris Stahelski, "John Wick 5" is in the works, but whether it will make it to the big screen is another story. Keanu Reeves as 'John Wick' in JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 Keanu Reeves as 'John Wick' in JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 Murray Close for Lionsgate In an interview with James Hibberd of The Hollywood Reporter, Stahelski gave an update on when he believes fans can expect "John Wick: Chapter 5." "I'm not going to lie to you, it's a bit of a conundrum," Stahelski said. "Me and Mike Finch — the writer on 4 who's also writing 5 — we've got a pretty good story that I think is cool. Once we have a 50-page book, and if we're feeling it, we'll sit with Keanu and shape this thing. "Look, everybody seems to want it. It's a matter of whether we crack it. We're actively working on it. It's just ... is it going to be satisfying?" More Entertainment: Star Wars Icon Says He's Done With The Franchise Stahelski went on to reveal that he and Finch would stop working on the film if it doesn't feel right after the perfect ending of "John Wick: Chapter 4." "I hate happy endings," Stahelski said. "Over a long enough timeline, everything's a f****** tragedy. If you kill 86 people, you don't get away. So when we got to 4, we wanted to have something that had a lot of fate and consequence. "The ending was going to be a cliffhanger. Then we were sitting in Japan [during the filming of 4] going, 'We didn't stick the landing.' [Our original ending] kind of sucked. 'F***, we got to finish this, right?' "So I was really happy with the way 4 ended. It was Keanu and I saying, 'Thank you, it's been awesome, but it is time to go.' I didn't want to overstay our welcome." More Entertainment: 'Predator: Killer of Killers' Is Now Available to Watch - Here's How to Stream That being said, "John Wick 5" not working out doesn't mean that developing the script was a bad thing for the creative team. "If we go down the road of 'John Wick 5' and build this story and decide this isn't right, there are probably going to be 10 other things we'll discover that we'll use for other things," Stahelski said. "It's a great creative exercise. It's being in the room riffing with people we love. That's nothing but wins." More Entertainment: John Wick Boss Slams Spin-Off Series Over Ignored Feedback 'Wicked: For Good' is Coming in November: Watch the Official Trailer For more movie and entertainment news, head on over to Newsweek Entertainment.

Everything We Know About CAINE, the JOHN WICK Spinoff Sequel
Everything We Know About CAINE, the JOHN WICK Spinoff Sequel

Yahoo

time05-05-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Yahoo

Everything We Know About CAINE, the JOHN WICK Spinoff Sequel

The John Wick universe is one that's very ripe for spinoff exploration. And that's exactly what we are getting with the spinoff prequel film Ballerina as well as a sequel film about Caine. It's pretty easy to see why Caine is getting his own film. We met this blind High Table assassin in John Wick 4 who takes on his former friend to keep his daughter safe. At the end of the film, Caine and his daughter are free from the High Table, however, a post-credits scene shows Akira coming for him. RELATED ARTICLE Donnie Yen Will Star in JOHN WICK Caine Spinoff Movie What will go down in Caine's John Wick spinoff? Here's everything we know about the film so far. Right now, the film is using the working title Caine. That could change as it gets closer to completion and release. We know that Caine will have to face Akira, the daughter of Koji whom Caine killed during a major fight at the Osaka Continental. He did spare Akira's life but she's hellbent on revenge and could possibly try to harm his daughter. We may also discover more about his life while moving his story forward. Variety reports that the Caine spinoff film will be a 'Hong Kong-style action thriller.' Donnie Yen will both star in, executive produce, and direct the John Wick spinoff Caine film. It will be produced by Basil Iwanyk, Chad Stahelski, and Erica Lee, all of whom worked on the franchise's previous installments. The writer is The Batman – Part II's Mattson Tomlin. The film is set to start production soon, perhaps over the summer of 2025. Of course, Donnie Yen will portray Caine. We can assume that Aimée Kwan will also return as Caine's daughter Mia. Rina Sawayama will reprise her role as the sword-wielding Akira as an antagonist. 'John Wick: Chapter 4 introduced us to so many compelling, original characters, including Akira. We're beyond thrilled to have Rina coming back to the franchise—Caine and Akira have unfinished business, and this next chapter in their stories will be explosive,' said Adam Fogelson, chair of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. We will have to see what new characters we meet and if any others from the franchise will return. There is currently no release date for Caine.

Wick Is Pain – Where To Watch New John Wick Documentary
Wick Is Pain – Where To Watch New John Wick Documentary

Newsweek

time05-05-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Newsweek

Wick Is Pain – Where To Watch New John Wick Documentary

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors A brand new documentary detailing the shocking rise of Keanu Reeves' John Wick series was announced last week, and the great news is that you won't have to wait that long to see it. Wick is Pain is heading for Video on Demand platforms like Fandango at Home and Prime Video from May 9, 2025, following a special screening at BeyondFest on May 8. Featuring testimonies from Chad Stahelski, Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, Jackson Spidell, Jason Constantine, David Leitch, and Keanu Reeves, Wick is Pain details the trials and tribulations of bringing John Wick to the big screen. The two-and-a-half-minute trailer shows us what we can expect from Wick is Pain, including never-before-seen footage, complications in production, and personal hardships as the team takes the indie film that almost never was and turns it into a billion-dollar franchise. Keanu Reeves as 'John Wick' in JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 Keanu Reeves as 'John Wick' in JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 Murray Close for Lionsgate Wick is Pain is the directorial debut of Jeffrey Doe, whose previous work as an editor has earned him a Primetime Emmy nomination. If you want to know how to watch Wick is Pain, read on below. We have information on where to watch Wick is Pain, as well as the Wick is Pain release date, and Wick is Pain streaming information. Wick Is Pain – How to Watch Wick is Pain releases on Video on Demand platforms on May 9, 2025. The film is already available for pre-order on places like Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, and YouTube for $9.99. Where Can I Watch Wick Is Pain? The new documentary about John Wick, Wick is Pain, will first screen at BeyondFest on May 8, ahead of its digital release on May 9, 2025. Wick Is Pain Release Date Wick is Pain releases on digital on May 9, 2025. Is Wick Is Pain Available to Stream in the US? Wick is Pain is currently only available exclusively on video-on-demand platforms. What Is Wick Is Pain About? The full synopsis for Wick is Pain, as per Lionsgate, reads:

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