Ana de Armas stunned audiences and crew alike as she took on one of the most demanding stunts of her career, operating a live flamethrower in a pivotal action sequence for the upcoming film “Ballerina.” The sequence, which was both physically and emotionally charged, took place during the filming of the John Wick universe spin-off directed by Len Wiseman. The movie centers on De Armas’s character, Eve Macarro, a highly skilled assassin seeking vengeance for the destruction of her family.
In preparation for her first leading role in the gritty John Wick franchise, Ana de Armas knew she would face rigorous fight choreography and weapons training. Yet nothing fully prepared her for the reality of wielding a flamethrower on set. According to director Len Wiseman, about “90 percent” of the movie’s stunts were performed practically, with Ana de Armas executing most of them herself. The challenge escalated when De Armas was asked to set a stunt performer—safely protected—on fire as part of the sequence. During an initial rehearsal, the emotional toll became immediately clear.
De Armas recounted her reaction when it came time to test the stunt before filming.
She acknowledged the importance of the stunt team’s insistence on practice, saying,
Both Ana de Armas and Len Wiseman described the moment as overwhelming and deeply intense, with De Armas admitting,
The experience was so affecting that she could not hold back tears during rehearsal, but that first emotional encounter allowed her to film the actual scene later on with professional composure. “Then I was fine,” she explained.
Director Wiseman was also surprised by the power and impact of the flamethrower, admitting the stunt was unlike anything he had worked with before.
Wiseman reflected, highlighting the raw intensity and realism that practical stunts bring to “Ballerina.”
Although Ana de Armas had already undergone comprehensive weapons training for her role, she found that working with fire presented a different kind of challenge. The unpredictable movement of the flames and the inherent risks involved added extra layers of difficulty, demanding not just technical skill but emotional resilience as well. Despite her initial shock and emotional reaction, Ana de Armas successfully mastered the stunt, contributing to the film’s reputation for innovative, practical action scenes.
Set between the events of
and “John Wick: Chapter 4,” “Ballerina” promises to deliver the franchise’s trademark blend of adrenaline-charged action, immersive world-building, and visually stunning stunts. The film is expected to push the boundaries of what audiences have come to expect from the John Wick universe, with Ana de Armas leading a project that combines raw emotion and intense physicality.
The significance of Ana de Armas’s flamethrower stunt in “Ballerina” extends beyond just technical spectacle. Her ability to overcome her emotional response and deliver a powerful performance adds authenticity to both her character and the film’s most critical scenes. As the movie approaches its international release on June 6, 2025, anticipation continues to build, with fans and critics alike eager to witness Ana de Armas’s remarkable commitment to her role and to experience the next thrilling chapter in the ever-expanding John Wick saga.
