For Ana de Armas, Keanu Reeves’ co-star 10 years ago and once again, ‘Ballerina’ is a pirouette
- NewsBlend360
- Jun 5
- 5 min read
By NEWS BLEND 360
Updated 3:55 PM EDT, June 5, 2025
NEW YORK (NB360) — Years before Ana de Armas wielded an ice skate to cut a throat in “From the World of John Wick: Ballerina,” she appeared alongside Keanu Reeves in a very different movie.
The 2015 erotic thriller “Knock Knock” marked de Armas’ debut in Hollywood. Born and raised in Cuba, de Armas had recently moved to Los Angeles after working in Spain. With English being unfamiliar to her, she learned her lines phonetically.
“It was challenging and I often felt miserable and lonely,” she shares in an interview. “But I wanted to prove myself. I recall being in meetings with producers who would say, ‘OK, I’ll see you in a year when you learn English.’ Before leaving the office, I’d reply, ‘I’ll see you in two months.’”
Since “Knock Knock,” her ascent to stardom has been one of the most rapid in the last decade. She shone even as a hologram in “Blade Runner 2049.” She captivated audiences in Rian Johnson’s ensemble cast film “Knives Out.” She seamlessly fit into the Bond film “No Time to Die.” She received an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in “Blonde.”
Now, a decade after those scenes with Reeves, de Armas is leading a major summer action film for the first time. In “Ballerina,” hitting theaters Friday, de Armas’ evolution into an unexpected action star reaches its peak, taking on a prominent role in one of the most respected, high-body-count franchises.
“It’s a significant moment in my career, and I’m aware of that. I can see it,” she says. “It prompts me to reflect in many ways, especially being with Keanu in another film at such a different stage in my career. It certainly offers me perspective on the journey and everything since we first met. Much has changed since then.”
Taking on the pressure of ‘John Wick’
Though de Armas, 37, is well-acquainted with movie fame and the tabloid buzz it generates, many of her significant roles have been in streaming releases. “The Gray Man” and “Blonde” were on Netflix, while “Ghosted” was on Apple TV+. However, “Ballerina” will rely on de Armas (and the dedicated “John Wick” fanbase) to attract audiences to theaters.
Analysts predicted an opening weekend of around $35-40 million, which would be impressive for a spinoff that underwent extensive reshoots. Reviews, particularly regarding de Armas as a ballerina-assassin, have been favorable.
“There’s a lot of pressure,” says director Len Wiseman. “It’s a heavy responsibility for her. But she’ll be the first to say: ‘Bring it on. I’m ready to handle it. I’m all in.’”
De Armas, known for her ability to remain engaging and approachable even during the busiest red carpets, has traveled widely to promote “Ballerina”: attending CinemaCon, eagerly eating hot wings, and deftly avoiding questions about her upcoming film, “Deeper,” with Tom Cruise.
Despite being comfortable in the spotlight, an interesting fact about de Armas is that she spends part of her time in Vermont, a retreat for young A-list celebrities.
“Yes, it surprised many people,” she says, laughing. “As soon as I visited, I knew it would be a place that would bring me happiness, sanity, and peace. But I understand that for a Cuban who doesn’t like the cold much, it’s quite unusual.”
‘This has been a surprise’
Finding herself in northern New England was as unexpected as landing a role in an action movie like “Ballerina.” From the age of 12, she was set on becoming an actor, even though she studied theater.
“I never pictured myself doing action,” de Armas explains. “What truly resonated with me was watching Cuban actors on TV and in films. That was my reality. That’s all I knew, so they were the actors I looked up to.”
De Armas also dealt with severe asthma, making her achievements in “Ballerina” — like a flamethrower duel — even more remarkable to her.
“I couldn’t do anything,” she recalls. “I couldn’t run. Sometimes I couldn’t play with my friends. I had to stay home and remain still to avoid an asthma attack. So I never saw myself as athletic or capable of running even a block. This has been a surprise.”
At 14, she auditioned and was accepted into Havana’s National Theatre of Cuba. Four years later, with Spanish citizenship from her grandparents, she moved to Madrid to pursue acting. When she arrived in LA in 2014, she had to start from scratch.
Now, as one of Hollywood’s leading Latina stars, she has seen how immigrant journeys like hers have become increasingly difficult, if not impossible. The day after her interview with The Associated Press, the Trump administration announced a travel ban on 12 countries and imposed strict restrictions on citizens from other countries, including Cuba.
“I arrived at a time when things were definitely easier in that regard,” says de Armas, who announced her upcoming U.S. citizenship while hosting “Saturday Night Live” in 2023. “I feel very fortunate for that. But it’s challenging. Everything happening is very difficult, sad, and really challenging for many people. I truly wish things were different.”
‘She doesn’t just enjoy the view’
Chad Stahelski, who directed the four “John Wick” movies and produced “Ballerina,” was about to begin filming “John Wick: Chapter 4” when producer Basil Iwanyk and Lionsgate president Nathan Kahane reached out to schedule a Zoom meeting to discuss casting de Armas. He quickly reviewed all her scenes.
“How many people could have portrayed the Bond girl in such an unconventional way?” he comments. “I know I can train people to be tough and turn them into assassins, but bringing out charm, love, and humor is more difficult. Yet she possessed those traits.”
In “Knives Out,” Stahelski observed someone who could shift from being scared and uncertain to displaying determination, as if saying, “I’m going to stab you in the eye.”
“I value that in my action heroes,” he says. “I don’t want to see the stoic, superhero attitude where everything’s going to be fine.”
However, it wasn’t just her acting or charisma that persuaded Stahelski. It was her life journey.
“‘John Wick’ is all about hard work — and not just in training. You have to love it and put yourself out there,” Stahelski explains. “When you hear her story about starting at age 12, getting into acting, what she sacrificed, what she accomplished, that’s what caught my attention. ‘Oh, she’s a perseverer. She doesn’t just enjoy the view; she enjoys the climb.’”
When that quote is read back to her, de Armas laughs and agrees.
“Being Cuban, with my upbringing, my family, and everything I’ve done, I never had a plan B,” she says. “I never had the option of, ‘Well, if it doesn’t work, my family can help,’ or, ‘I can pursue another career.’ This was it. And I also knew, besides being what I loved most, this was my survival. This is how I live. This is how I support myself and my family. So it’s also a sense of responsibility.”
This makes her think back to when she was just trying to make it in Hollywood, sounding out words, trying not to let down directors whose instructions she could barely understand, trying not to be intimidated by the action star across from her who had just completed filming the first “John Wick.”
“I was so committed to doing it,” she says. “I was so invested in trying, just giving it a shot. When I give something a shot, I try my best, whatever that is. Then I can truly say: I gave it a shot.”
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