Norman Reedus and director Len Wiseman opened up about their experiences working on
“From the World of John Wick: Ballerina,”
addressing the much-discussed rumors of reshoots and providing insights into their creative process. This new action film featuring Eve Macarro—a ballerina-assassin—continues the saga set between
“John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum”
and “Chapter 4,” expanding on the compelling narrative that has gripped audiences in theaters worldwide.
Examining the Plot and Setting of Ballerina
The film’s storyline takes place after the events of
“John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum”
and before those of “Chapter 4.” In this interim, the character Eve Macarro, who is both a skilled ballerina and assassin, immerses herself in the traditions of the Ruska Roma to seek vengeance for her father‘s death. As explained in the official synopsis,
“Taking place between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4, Eve Macarro, a ballerina-assassin, begins to train in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma and sets out to exact revenge for her father’s death,”
—from the movie synopsis. The film is scheduled to premiere in theaters on June 6, 2025, promising audiences a fresh addition to the John Wick universe while maintaining its dark, energetic tone.
Collaboration and Creative Chemistry on Set
Norman Reedus, known for his work on “The Walking Dead,” discussed his ongoing collaboration with Len Wiseman, calling back to an earlier reunion from their days on “Hawaii Five-O.” Reedus emphasized Wiseman’s ability to make the set a welcoming and inspiring place, noting how the director’s creative ideas and leadership stood out.
“Wow. I’ve worked with him before,”
said Reedus, reflecting on their history. He further described Wiseman as someone who is easygoing and adept at fostering creativity on set. Reedus also praised Wiseman’s approach to pre-development, sharing admiration for the director’s imaginative preparations for each project.
Wiseman detailed his innovative workflow, which involves building miniature models and creating small-scale action sequences before full-scale production.
“I call it mini-vis. We have pre-vis, we have fight vis, and I’ve created this. I used to do miniatures before I was doing props. So instead of doing storyboards, I do, I build these miniature action figures, shoot it, send to Norman for a good laugh,”
Wiseman explained. These playful but detailed miniature productions impressed everyone involved, including Reedus, who called them “crazy” and “so good.”
Reflecting on Previous Work and Signature Directorial Approach
Jonathan Sim, during the interview, complimented Wiseman’s earlier films, particularly “Live Free or Die Hard” starring Bruce Willis as John McClane. Wiseman shared how deeply personal the project was, recalling how his passion for action films led him to direct the fourth installment in the iconic franchise. Wiseman stated that his childhood admiration for “Die Hard” helped shape his approach—making movies as a fan first, before stepping into the role of director. Bruce Willis was amused to learn Wiseman had recreated the film in his backyard as a teenager.
“You did a Die Hard movie in your backyard, and now you’re directing a real one. You’re like, this is for real for you.”
—Bruce Willis, Actor. Wiseman explained that this lifelong excitement kept him motivated to focus on what he would want to see as an audience member, rather than dwelling on the pressure of working within established franchises such as the John Wick series.
Addressing the Ballerina Reshoot Rumors
The conversation turned to the persistent rumors of reshoots for Ballerina, allegedly directed by Chad Stahelski, who has worked extensively on the John Wick franchise. Both Wiseman and Reedus took the opportunity to clarify the situation. Wiseman explained that after completing the initial cut, the studio was highly impressed by the results. Some scenes initially removed due to time and budget restrictions were given the green light for additional filming when the studio wanted to bring back key elements Wiseman had been enthusiastic about.
“How about we go and shoot those scenes that I know you were passionate about that you really love that we had to take out?”
—Studio executives, as described by Wiseman. He clarified that the process was not so much reshoots as it was expanded shooting, allowing for a more complete vision. Chad Stahelski remained involved throughout, particularly during a period when Wiseman faced a health setback that required hospitalization. During Wiseman’s absence, Stahelski assisted with second-unit direction until Wiseman returned to full health.
Overcoming Challenges and Looking Forward
Wiseman candidly discussed the challenges he faced during production, including his personal health issues and how the collaborative environment helped ensure continuity. He described how longstanding relationships among the creative team, including Chad Stahelski’s participation, made a significant difference, especially during unexpected production breaks. The strong, communicative dynamic between director and crew supported the film’s consistent vision, reinforcing confidence in its direction and outcome.
Expectations for the John Wick Universe and Ballerina’s Release
As the release date for Ballerina approaches, interest continues to build around this installment in the John Wick universe. The commitment of key talents like Norman Reedus, Len Wiseman, and Chad Stahelski assures fans and newcomers alike that the film will embody the signature energy and style of the franchise while introducing new characters and motivations. Ballerina promises to expand the established mythology, focusing on Eve Macarro’s journey and her pursuit of justice, and audiences look forward to seeing how these themes unfold on the big screen when the movie debuts on June 6, 2025.
