In an early version of the action film Ballerina, Ana de Armas in Ballerina original ultra-violent script would have staged violence on a level surpassing anything seen in the John Wick franchise, with an astonishing body count. Before becoming part of the John Wick universe, the film’s first draft detailed a brutal mission of vengeance that would have left over 1,400 casualties, shocking even compared to previous films known for their graphic action and high-stakes drama.
An Early Script Promised Extreme Action
Known for its relentless action, the John Wick series has always been marked by dramatic shootouts and significant losses. However, the initial script for Ballerina, penned by Shay Hatten around the release of John Wick: Chapter 2, pushed the boundaries even further. Despite not being directly linked to the franchise at first, this script drew inspiration from Keanu Reeves’ movies and landed on the Black List of unproduced screenplays, a source of many successful films. Lionsgate discovered the script and recognized its potential, setting the stage for its eventual development.
According to drafts from 2017, Ana de Armas’ character—originally referred to as Rooney—was set to deliver a stunningly high body count during her quest for vengeance. One particularly intense sequence was set in a secluded retirement home, where as many as 200 elderly residents would be killed as part of the character’s campaign against a secretive cult of assassins in an isolated community. By the end of her destructive path, the script tallied 1,400 bodies, an amount that would have dwarfed any previous tally from action cinema.
‘Ballerina’ Transitions Into the John Wick Universe
Although Ballerina’s origins were separate from John Wick, once Lionsgate purchased the rights and brought Hatten onboard to contribute to two John Wick sequels, the project took on new shape. The following year, director Len Wiseman was hired to steer the script into a full-blown spinoff. Speaking on the Film Stories podcast, Wiseman described the creative evolution of the project and the distinct culture crafted within the story:
“I was working with Shay in 2018 and developing it into Ballerina,”
Wiseman said.
“And one of the things that I really connected to was the tribe that Shay had created, and there was an opportunity there to really expand on making that much more of a cult – different than other tribes that we’ve seen in John Wick… And I mean, as scripts do, they go through many iterations.”
—Len Wiseman, Director
The film‘s script underwent many changes during its journey from concept to screen. For a period, the infamous retirement home massacre remained in the script, with Wiseman noting its shocking effect and darkly entertaining nature:
“[It stayed] for a bit, because I thought it would just be really shocking. And how fun would that be? Yeah, it stayed in for [a while]. It never made it to prep. By the time we were in real prep, that [scene] was gone.”
—Len Wiseman, Director
Adjusting the Scale and Sensibility
Ultimately, the over-the-top mayhem of the original script was curtailed as the project readied itself for production. The scene featuring mass slaughter in the old people’s home was omitted before filming began. As the concepts matured, the death toll dropped to a figure more consistent with typical action narratives, aligning with the directors’ and studios’ perspectives on what would be plausible—even within the John Wick universe.
The thought of Ana de Armas’ character annihilating over 1,400 adversaries—including hundreds of unsuspecting senior citizens—might have drawn viewers far beyond standard disbelief. With even the most violent action films rarely approaching such numbers, prevailing opinion favored a restraint that maintained a sense of realism, however tenuous, in the world of professional assassins and shadowy societies.
Cast Members Lend Weight to the Story
Ana de Armas stars as the vengeful protagonist, while notable cast members like Anjelica Huston (The Director), Gabriel Byrne (The Chancellor), and Lance Reddick (Charon) help flesh out a world of ruthless order and lethal tradition. The character of Rooney, as portrayed by de Armas, was originally conceived as far more destructive, but creative changes recalibrated her story for the final film.
Impact of the Script’s Transformation
The shift from unrestrained ultraviolence to a measured approach signified an important reimagining of Ballerina’s place within its cinematic universe. The decision preserved plausibility and ensured audience immersion rather than stretching the limits of disbelief. With Lionsgate aligning Ballerina alongside major franchises and trusting talents like Shay Hatten and Len Wiseman, the film is set to expand the lore with new perspectives and intensified drama while resisting the temptation to shock for shock’s sake.
