Why John Wick: Ballerina Might Fail Despite Ana De Armas’ Star Power

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Summary

  • Len Wiseman directed Ballerina, the next John Wick film, with a checkered track record in filmmaking.
  • Initial reshoots were reportedly necessary, with Stahelski stepping in to help save the project.
  • Stahelski’s involvement in the film will likely determine its success. Lionsgate must learn about consequences.

In a thrilling turn of events, Lionsgate unveiled the trailer for the upcoming installment in the John Wick saga, leaving viewers eager with Keanu Reeves reprising his role as the iconic assassin and the return of the dearly missed actor Lance Reddick. The action in From the World of John Wick: Ballerina looks to be just as intense and skillfully orchestrated as before, leading one to assume it will be another strong addition to the series. However, let’s not jump to conclusions too quickly.

The significant achievement of the “John Wick” series can be attributed, in large part, to its original director, Chad Stahelski, an ex-stuntman who has established his filmmaking career in the action genre by focusing on gritty, realistic fight scenes rather than rapid cuts and excessive CGI. This style is what makes the “John Wick” films’ action sequences so impactful, akin to the precision of a ballet. However, it might seem puzzling why Lionsgate opted for a new director for the initial spin-off of the “John Wick” franchise, given that they also selected one with a history of more failures than successes. Does this mean the future of “John Wick” is no longer in reliable hands? The answer to that question is somewhat intricate.

Who Is Directing Ballerina?

Len Wiseman takes charge of the movie titled “From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, ” and his path to directing this film has been as complex and intricate as its name suggests. Initially, it was surprising for Wiseman to be assigned to helm a movie in the highly esteemed John Wick series, given his relatively low profile in the filmmaking world. However, it’s important to note that Chad Stahelski didn’t have any directorial experience prior to getting the first John Wick project, but he had already built a strong reputation as an influential figure in the industry. In fact, Stahelski even stood in for Keanu Reeves during stunts in The Matrix.

Previously, I’ve followed director Wiseman on four films, one of which was the critically acclaimed “Live Free or Die Hard” in 2007 starring Bruce Willis. While his extensive background is undoubtedly valuable, delving into his body of work raises some concerns about the potential success of his upcoming film. To be honest, three out of his four previous directorial endeavors, such as the 2012 “Total Recall” remake that stumbled with critics on Rotten Tomatoes, haven’t fared well. Even his writing and production credits barely crack the 30% mark on the rating aggregation site.

In a more accessible phrasing: The films produced by Wiseman within the “Underworld” franchise were popular among fans, despite receiving unfavorable reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, audiences rated these movies significantly higher, with scores reaching up to 79% for his debut “Underworld” film (2003), which only managed a 31% rating from professional critics. This suggests that Wiseman has the talent to create action films that appeal to the masses. So, it’s puzzling as to why he faced issues with the selection process for “Ballerina”.

Ballerina’s Director May Not Be The Wisest Choice

In the previous year, TopMob published an article about rumored reshoots for the film “Ballerina”. Initially, the piece speculated that the movie needed to be reworked at Stahelski’s demand, following the poor performance of Wiseman’s initial screenings. It mentioned a significant re-editing by the original director of the series, said to have taken around two to three months, after the film’s first version was apparently poorly received by Lionsgate.

Following the initial reports, Lionsgate later clarified that it wasn’t Stahlenski who took over the reshoots, but instead Wiseman was in charge of the shoots. According to Lionsgate, Stahlenski played a more advisory role during these shoots, focusing on designing larger-scale set pieces to add depth and weight to the film. This arrangement means that Wiseman retains his directorial credit while Stahlenski lends his expertise. For viewers, this news is a mix of joy and disappointment as they eagerly await the release of the film.

It’s exciting to learn that Stahelski had some role in directing, but it raises a question as to why his input was required initially. To many fans, it has always been evident that Stahelski is crucial to this series, and perhaps his participation should have been ensured right from the beginning.

An Unfortunate Silver Lining

Unfortunately, Lionsgate stated that director David Leitch faced a severe health complication and was temporarily admitted to the hospital while working on the project. Fortunately, Leitch is now well and has resumed directing on set with producer Chad Stahelski, Thunder Road, and the entire filmmaking crew.

As I eagerly awaited Wiseman’s return, it was reassuring to learn that Stahelski would be stepping into the role of cinematographer for the upcoming film, “Ballerina”. This knowledge instills confidence in me as a dedicated cinema enthusiast, knowing that the visual style synonymous with John Wick will continue to grace our screens.

Rules And Consequences

The trailer for John Wick: Ballerina has boosted its prospects for a successful release, compared to last year when rumors about reshoots due to studio disapproval were circulating. Interestingly, it was confirmed that director Chad Stahelski did contribute to the film’s production, which eased fans’ concerns even though his exact role remains somewhat unspecified.

If the movie turns out to be a hit, given the additional filming following Wiseman’s initial edit, it’s clear that Chad Stahelski played a crucial role in its success. This should be a strong indication to Lionsgate and Stahelski himself, that for John Wick to continue thriving, they must ensure Stahelski is not isolated again. If Ballerina fails, we’ll know who to hold accountable, but at least we can appreciate that the man seems to be recovering well now.

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2025-03-21 23:54