Stahelski Opposed Keanu Reeves' Ballerina Cameo at First

John Wick Director Chad Stahelski Shares Initial Reservations About Keanu Reeves' Ballerina Cameo

Chad Stahelski, director of the John Wick franchise, recently disclosed his initial reluctance regarding Keanu Reeves' appearance in the spin-off film Ballerina. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Stahelski explained that Reeves' cameo wasn't part of the original script but ultimately recognized its importance in boosting the film's commercial prospects.

The John Wick series stands out in Hollywood for its exceptional box office growth trajectory, culminating in John Wick: Chapter 4's staggering $440 million global haul. With this success in mind, Stahelski understood why Reeves' appearance became crucial for Ana de Armas-led Ballerina, helping position it competitively among its predecessors.

A Reluctant Cameo Decision

"That wasn't in the original script," Stahelski admitted. "Initially, I strongly opposed including John Wick in this story. However, we ultimately wanted to support director Len Wiseman." He elaborated on the financial realities facing new entries in the franchise: "After John Wick 4's massive success, we couldn't realistically return to the modest $18 million indie approach of the first film."

The director acknowledged pragmatic studio considerations: "To maintain comparable expectations, we needed to give Ballerina every possible advantage. From Lionsgate's perspective, featuring Wick—even briefly—within Ballerina's carefully placed timeline offered the clearest continuity bridge."

Mixed Box Office Reception

The strategy didn't translate into expected results, with Ballerina debuting to a modest $51 million global opening—below studio projections. Despite the explicit "From the World of John Wick" tagline prominently displayed in marketing materials, audience enthusiasm appeared tempered.

The Future of John Wick Spin-offs

While additional spin-offs remain in development, Stahelski confirmed Reeves won't appear indiscriminately across all projects. Regarding the upcoming Donny Yen-led Caine film, he clarified: "This spinoff won't feature Wick's character. It's designed as an homage to classic kung fu cinema—think Chow Yun-fat and John Woo influences—existing confidently within its own martial arts subgenre."

Critical Reception

IGN praised Ballerina with an 8/10 score, noting: "Despite a measured start, Ana de Armas' spin-off earns its place in the Wick universe with inventive fight choreography matching the series' standard while establishing compelling standalone characters."

View 11 Images

Ranking the John Wick Franchise

As audiences continue engaging with the expanding Wick universe, discussions persist about franchise rankings—though Stahelski emphasizes each project ultimately must "earn its place" rather than relying on formulaic connections.