Summary

Collider’s Meredith Loftus talks with From the World of John Wick: Ballerina’s director Len Wiseman.

Wiseman discusses fleshing out the Ruska Roma world.

The director also talks about having no hesitations stepping into the John Wick universe as the director and what fans can expect to see as far as action sequences.

Yeah, I’m thinking we’re back! Fans of the John Wick franchise are gearing up for the first spin-off movie, From the World of John Wick: Ballerina. Set during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, Ana de Armas stars as Eve Macarro, a new member of the world of John Wick through the tutelage of the Director (Anjelica Huston) and the Ruska Roma. The spin-off also stars Norman Reedus, Ian McShane, the late Lance Reddick, and Mr. Wick himself, Keanu Reeves.
Ahead of the movie’s release, Collider was invited to enter Eve’s world by training with the stunt team at 87Eleven. While there, Collider was able to speak with Ballerina director Len Wiseman. He shared why the Ruska Roma sector of the John Wick world fascinates him, as well as why he wasn’t hesitant to step into the established world created by Chad Stahelski. Plus, he revealed what he’s excited for fans of the franchise to see and why Eve isn’t just “female John Wick.”
You can watch the full interview in the video above, or you can read the transcript below.
Len Wiseman Thinks the Ruska Roma Is a Fun World to Flesh Out

COLLIDER: The Ruska Roma was introduced in John Wick 3. What is it about this sector of the John Wick world that fascinates you the most in exploring this in Ballerina?
LEN WISEMAN: Well, we didn’t get to see much of how the training evolved within the Ruska Roma, and we get a sense of it. So it was always interesting to me about how those two connect. The study of ballet and the discipline of ballet and how that, you know, The Director, Anjelica Huston’s character, would have the students train in ballet to prep them while they’re going through fight training. It’s an interesting, different idea, and it was one that felt just new and kind of weird in a good way. And so, that was a fun world to flesh out more.
Yeah, and with a title like Ballerina and being introduced to this side of Ruska Roma, there is dance involved. How can you tease dance being incorporated into some of the fight choreography we’re going to see?
WISEMAN: There was a lot of talk about, you know, because when you think of ballet, how would that be incorporated into the fights? It’s more again, it goes back to at least with me about the discipline of it than necessarily the, you know, the Pirouette that ends in a kick, you know. Not really necessarily that kind of thing going on. So, it’s really the training of what mentally that person has to go through.
Len Wiseman Had No Hesitations About Stepping Into the ‘John Wick’ World

“I want to make sure that people knew this was not trying to do a female John Wick.”

Speaking of mentally what someone has to go through, what was it like for you to step into this established world of John Wick? Did you have any type of hesitations when signing on as director?
WISEMAN: I didn’t have any hesitations. It was a pretty quick yes for me. It’s the kind of action that I really love. Between Chad [Stahelski] and Keanu [Reeves] and what’s been created, there’s a real love and respect and a reverence for developing the action, which excites me. That becoming a focus is the best thing for me to be involved in, where everybody is on board, knows this action has to be really mapped out, really taken care of. It is something I just enjoy doing. So there wasn’t much hesitation other than just the John Wick of it all. Like, you know, I want to make sure that people knew this was not trying to do a female John Wick. It was her own character, and John Wick is the legend that he is. That would be the only thing, but most of it is just excitement about going into it.
My last question for you. What are you excited for John Wick fans to see in Ballerina?
WISEMAN: I’m excited for fans to get a glimpse into the training it takes for a character to become an assassin in the world of John Wick. While we know a lot about the layers of that universe, we haven’t yet experienced what it’s like for somebody to come into it new and begin their journey in the world that John Wick operates in. So there’s that side of the story, and also just really fun, clever action sequences that I’m sure fans—especially those who love action like I do—are going to enjoy. And, we’ll see how honor plays a significant role in shaping this character’s path.
Well, I can’t wait to see it. Honestly. So thank you so much.
Tickets for From the World of John Wick: Ballerina are now on sale.

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