Underworld director Len Wiseman to helm female-centric John Wick spinoff

Ballerina, a movie set in the John Wick world and focusing on a “young female assassin,” is on the fast track at Lionsgate, according to Deadline. Underworld creator Len Wiseman is set to direct the movie, with a script from Shay Hatten, who penned the third John Wick movie. Ballerina was first announced in 2017.

The heroine of Ballerina will be motivated to seek revenge for the deaths of her family. A character referred to in the credits of John Wick 3: Parabellum as Ballerina was played by real-life ballerina Unity Phelan. When Wick seeks refuge with Anjelica Huston’s The Director, a ballerina dances in the background. What seems like an odd aesthetic choice makes more sense when we see that she shares the same style of tattoos that Wick does, and learn that her dance all is where the assassin was once trained.

It is unclear if this specific ballerina played by Phelan will actually be the lead in the upcoming movie; after all, there were multiple ballerinas at the school. Keanu Reeves is not confirmed to appear, but a cameo is reportedly a possibility.

In addition to Ballerina, the John Wick universe continues to expand with the upcoming John Wick 4, with a set 2021 release date, and prequel television series focusing on The Continental hotel.