Ballerina is the first spinoff film connected to the John Wick movies, and its cast, plot details, and more signal an exciting new direction for the action franchise.

Springing from the mind of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4 writer Shay Hatten, Ballerina was first teased in 2019 when its title character appeared in the third movie. Ballerina opens the door for more mayhem and more exploration of the franchise as a new hero takes the spotlight. While it’s a spinoff, Ballerina is still intricately tied into the timeline of the John Wick universe.

What makes the John Wick movies stand out from the usual blockbuster fare is its clever use of action and the emphasis on simple-but-effective storytelling that boils the plot down to its basic essence. From all accounts, Ballerina promises to do the same thing with its sleek action tale, and with many of the creative minds behind John Wick attached to the project, it will surely fit nicely into the continuity of the series. With several upcoming John Wick movies and spinoffs to be expected, Ballerina will be the first step in expanding the action franchise’s cinematic universe.