[GUEST ACCESS MODE: Data is scrambled or limited to provide examples. Make requests using your API key to unlock full data. Check https://lunarcrush.ai/auth for authentication information.]  CineSummary [@cinesummary](/creator/twitter/cinesummary) on x XX followers Created: 2025-07-26 15:00:28 UTC Chad Stahelski Initially Opposed Keanu Reeves’ Cameo in Ballerina, But Wanted to Give It a “Fighting Chance” John Wick director Chad Stahelski has revealed he was initially against including Keanu Reeves in the spin-off film Ballerina, but ultimately supported the move to help the project succeed. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Stahelski explained that Reeves' cameo wasn’t part of the original script. However, following the major success of John Wick: Chapter 4, which grossed $XXX million globally, he understood the commercial reasoning behind adding the franchise’s central figure to the new film. “That wasn’t in the original script,” Stahelski said. “To be honest, I was kind of against it. But I do see the benefit... We wanted to help out [director Len Wiseman]. He couldn’t go back to the model of the first John Wick and do a little $XX million indie thing and try to build it up. In order to stay in the same game, you’ve got to give him a fighting chance.” Ballerina, starring Ana de Armas, opened to $XX million globally — a number considered underwhelming for a John Wick spin-off. Despite Reeves’ appearance and the studio marketing the film as “From the World of John Wick,” it failed to draw in the same audience numbers as the mainline series. Looking ahead, Stahelski confirmed future spin-offs are still in development but cautioned that Reeves will not appear in all of them. One example is Caine, the upcoming Donnie Yen-led project. “The Donny Yen spinoff doesn’t have the John Wick character,” Stahelski said. “It’s an ode to kung fu movies… If John Wick X was about Charles Bronson and Lee Marvin, this is about Chow Yun-fat, John Woo, and Wong Kar-wai.” IGN gave Ballerina an 8/10, calling it “a story and character that stand on their own” with “fight choreography every bit as creative (and fun) as anything else the series has given us.”  XX engagements  **Related Topics** [the project](/topic/the-project) [help the](/topic/help-the) [keanu reeves](/topic/keanu-reeves) [chad](/topic/chad) [Post Link](https://x.com/cinesummary/status/1949122655254184304)
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CineSummary @cinesummary on x XX followers
Created: 2025-07-26 15:00:28 UTC
Chad Stahelski Initially Opposed Keanu Reeves’ Cameo in Ballerina, But Wanted to Give It a “Fighting Chance”
John Wick director Chad Stahelski has revealed he was initially against including Keanu Reeves in the spin-off film Ballerina, but ultimately supported the move to help the project succeed.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Stahelski explained that Reeves' cameo wasn’t part of the original script. However, following the major success of John Wick: Chapter 4, which grossed $XXX million globally, he understood the commercial reasoning behind adding the franchise’s central figure to the new film.
“That wasn’t in the original script,” Stahelski said. “To be honest, I was kind of against it. But I do see the benefit... We wanted to help out [director Len Wiseman]. He couldn’t go back to the model of the first John Wick and do a little $XX million indie thing and try to build it up. In order to stay in the same game, you’ve got to give him a fighting chance.”
Ballerina, starring Ana de Armas, opened to $XX million globally — a number considered underwhelming for a John Wick spin-off. Despite Reeves’ appearance and the studio marketing the film as “From the World of John Wick,” it failed to draw in the same audience numbers as the mainline series.
Looking ahead, Stahelski confirmed future spin-offs are still in development but cautioned that Reeves will not appear in all of them. One example is Caine, the upcoming Donnie Yen-led project.
“The Donny Yen spinoff doesn’t have the John Wick character,” Stahelski said. “It’s an ode to kung fu movies… If John Wick X was about Charles Bronson and Lee Marvin, this is about Chow Yun-fat, John Woo, and Wong Kar-wai.”
IGN gave Ballerina an 8/10, calling it “a story and character that stand on their own” with “fight choreography every bit as creative (and fun) as anything else the series has given us.”
XX engagements
Related Topics the project help the keanu reeves chad