Lionsgate’s highly anticipated “John Wick” spinoff, “Ballerina,” featuring Ana de Armas, has seen its release date shifted to 2025. In a strategic move, the studio has rearranged its calendar, positioning Rupert Sanders’ remake of “The Crow” to fill the vacancy, now set for a June 7, 2024 release. “Ballerina” will then make its debut on June 6, 2025.
Insiders at the studio reveal that Chad Stahelski, the creative force behind the “John Wick” franchise alongside Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee at Thunder Road, is collaborating closely with “Ballerina” director Len Wiseman to enhance the film with additional action sequences. Given the readiness of “The Crow,” Lionsgate has opted to prioritize its release, buoyed by robust advance tracking figures, allowing “Ballerina” more time for meticulous preparation.
“Ballerina” delves into the narrative of a proficient assassin trained in the rich traditions of the Ruska Roma. Alongside de Armas, the star-studded cast includes Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Catalina Sandino Moreno, and Norman Reedus, with Ian McShane and Keanu Reeves. The script, penned by Shay Hatten, draws inspiration from characters conceived by Derek Kolstad, with production overseen by Iwanyk, Lee, and Stahelski.
In parallel, Lionsgate’s rendition of “The Crow” will feature Bill Skarsgård, centering on the iconic graphic novel by James O’Barr. The story revolves around soulmates Eric Draven (Skarsgård) and Shelly Webster (FKA twigs), who fall victim to a brutal murder prompted by Webster’s haunting past. Empowered with the opportunity to save his beloved at the expense of his own life, Draven embarks on a relentless quest for vengeance against their assailants, navigating the realms of the living and the dead to rectify the injustice.
Joining Skarsgård in “The Crow” are Danny Huston, Laura Birn, Sami Bouajila, and Jordan Bolger. Directed by Sanders, the screenplay is crafted by Zach Baylin and Will Schneider, with Victor Hadida, Molly Hassell, John Jencks, Samuel Hadida, and Edward R. Pressman at the helm of production.
Additionally, Lionsgate has unveiled plans for an untitled Guy Ritchie project slated for January 17, 2025, reuniting the director with stars Henry Cavill and Eiza González following their collaboration on the upcoming Lionsgate film “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,” scheduled for release on April 19, 2024.
Ritchie’s forthcoming endeavor features Cavill and Jake Gyllenhaal as extraction specialists tasked with securing an escape route for a senior negotiator portrayed by González. The film, written and directed by Ritchie, sees the director joining forces with producers Ivan Atkinson and John Friedberg.
