Inside “Ballerina”: Norman Reedus and Len Wiseman Discuss Directing, Action, and the Truth Behind Reshoots
As anticipation builds for From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, director Len Wiseman and actor Norman Reedus recently sat down with ComingSoon.net to shed light on their creative process, Wiseman’s distinctive visual style, and to address rumors about reshoots involving Chad Stahelski.
Set between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4, Ballerina follows Eve Macarro, a ballerina-turned-assassin, as she trains under the Ruska Roma and seeks revenge for her father’s death. The film is scheduled to hit theaters on June 6, 2025.
Norman Reedus on Working with Len Wiseman
Norman Reedus, best known for his role in The Walking Dead, praised Wiseman’s collaborative approach and creativity, recalling their past work together on Hawaii Five-O. According to Reedus, Wiseman makes sets comfortable and brings strong, visionary ideas to every project.
Wiseman explained his hands-on method for pre-production, involving the use of miniatures and custom-built action figures—what he calls “mini-vis”—as a way to visualize scenes before filming. This creative technique replaces traditional storyboarding and helps communicate action sequences in a tangible way.
Revisiting “Live Free or Die Hard” and Working in Big Franchises
Wiseman also discussed his experience directing Live Free or Die Hard, a film he describes as a labor of love. A lifelong fan of the franchise, he revealed that he made a Die Hard fan-film in his backyard at the age of 14. That childhood enthusiasm carried into his professional career, impressing Bruce Willis and helping Wiseman find his directorial voice within a long-standing franchise.
According to Wiseman, working within established cinematic universes such as Die Hard and John Wick requires deep personal investment and a fan-first perspective. He emphasized the importance of asking, “If I were watching this as a fan, what would I want to see?”
Addressing the Ballerina Reshoots Rumors
One of the interview’s key takeaways was Wiseman’s response to the widespread rumors of Ballerina undergoing reshoots. Contrary to speculation, he clarified that the additional filming was not the result of creative overhaul, but rather an opportunity to shoot scenes that were initially omitted due to budget and scheduling limitations.
Wiseman explained that after viewing the initial cut, the studio encouraged him to revisit those omitted scenes because of their strong response to the footage. While Chad Stahelski, director of the John Wick franchise, was involved in the second leg of filming, Wiseman confirmed that Stahelski’s contributions were planned and collaborative. Due to a temporary health issue, Wiseman stepped away briefly, during which Stahelski stepped in to direct select scenes—under Wiseman’s guidance and vision.
Final Thoughts
Ballerina promises to expand the John Wick universe with a story that bridges two key chapters and introduces a compelling new protagonist. Through the combined creative forces of Len Wiseman and Norman Reedus, along with guidance from franchise veterans like Chad Stahelski, the film is shaping up to be a high-octane, emotionally resonant action thriller.
Audiences can look forward to a visually rich and narratively consistent entry in the John Wick saga when Ballerina premieres on June 6, 2025.
