Expanding the Wickiverse: Where does Ballerina fit in the timeline?

The John Wick franchise keeps expanding. Ballerina is the latest installment and brings a new voice. Many fans are wondering where Ballerina sits within the John Wick timeline. The filmmakers and cast have stated that Ballerina is a spin-off, not a prequel. It occurs between John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4.

This is the time when John Wick is recuperating from his wounds and building up to his next battle against the High Table. The film's narrative tracks Eve Macarro, a ballerina-killer who avenges the killing of her family. The Ana de Armas-led film broadens the universe by concentrating on the Ruska Roma and their lethal customs, which were instrumental in John Wick's own backstory.

Regular characters from the franchise, such as Keanu Reeves as John Wick, take on second-string roles. Being situated between Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 in the timeline opens up ways for Ballerina to tell fresh tales without overlapping with the original narrative.

Ballerina in the timeline: Between Chapter 3 and Chapter 4

The movie takes place in the space between the third and fourth John Wick movies. Following the end of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, John Wick is injured and in hiding. He is recovering and scheming for his next acts against the High Table. This is space for new storylines to be created without disrupting the central story.

As told by Keanu Reeves, the Ruska Roma assassin's journey takes place between these two films, thus being an immediate connection between the two films. The fifth entry in the franchise also introduces Eve Macarro, who is trained by the same Director who trained John Wick as a young man.

This connection to the main franchise is supported by the reappeared cast members, including Winston Scott, Charon, and The Director. By putting Ballerina into this timeframe, the directors can look at the larger world of assassins and the Ruska Roma without breaking continuity from the rest of the series.

New eyes: Eve Macarro and the Ruska Roma

The latest addition to the Wickiverse takes attention away from John Wick and gives it to Eve Macarro, a new player with her own agenda. Eve is a ballerina-assassin trained by the Ruska Roma, the same family that raised John Wick. The movie delves into her search for revenge following the death of her family.

This is a story that provides an alternative perspective on the world of assassins. Traditions and training practices within the Ruska Roma form the core of the story, providing fans with a better insight into the organization that molded John and Eve.

It also explores the traditions, rituals, and tattoos of the Ruska Roma, developing lore introduced in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum. Through the lens of Eve, the standalone film gives a background on the creation and training of assassins, presenting a new spin on old ideas.

References to the main series and future significance

The latest chapter is strongly integrated with the main John Wick series. Some of the main players come back, such as John Wick himself, Winston Scott, Charon, and The Director. They are present to make the new saga feel like an organic part of the Wickiverse. The movie delves into the repercussions of John Wick's actions in Chapter 3, specifically what happens to The Director for assisting him.

This is tense and adds to the depth of the movie. Ballerina also touches on John Wick's back story, as audiences get a glimpse of the ballet academy and training in a fresh light. Although John Wick is not the protagonist, his presence is felt throughout the film.

The placement of the spin-off in the timeline allows for bringing in new characters and narratives without forcing the existing setup.

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The John Wick spin-off is set to release on June 6, 2025.

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