Generally, when movie franchises are trying to establish a new chapter or promote a spinoff, older characters are often phased out. This is typically achieved by casting all new faces to feature in the storyline. Universal Pictures applied said method to their Jurassic Park franchise when developing Jurassic World, which could've benefited from a cameo or two in the long run. The same goes for Birds of Prey. The DC Comics spinoff, starring Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, probably would've fared better at the box office had a megastar like Ben Affleck or Henry Cavill made an appearance as their superhero counterparts. While there are reasons for their absences, the point remains valid.
Lionsgate Cinema, however, is steering clear of such pitfalls with its new feature film, From The World of John Wick: Ballerina. The studio doesn't try to conceal the Baba Yaga's role in it and instead places John Wick (Keanu Reeves) back in the spotlight as he provides Eve (Ana de Armas) with guidance. He's not the central figure, evidenced by the fuel-filled montage of Eve kicking butt, although John is there for a few scenes.
In the trailer, another shot shows Eve looking on as the legendary assassin is escorted somewhere. The scene presumably takes place at the Ruska Roma since Katia (Natalia Tena) also drops by. What's unclear is how involved Wick becomes in the plot. Of course, Eve's need to stand on her own means he'll take a backseat for the most part. That said, Eve probably won't receive much assistance from John Wick.
On the other hand, a team-up in the movie's final act would be par for the course. In nearly every outing, a rogue mercenary converts from an assassin-for-hire into another one of John Wick's allies, ultimately helping him take down whichever corrupt individual has infiltrated the High Table.
Ideally, Ballerina will showcase Eve as she veers down a similar path, forming alliances and making enemies along the way. John Wick appears to be a friendly face, and we can safely assume he'll lend a helping hand if the odds become stacked against Eve. Our guess is Baba Yaga joins the action when Eve nearly gets overwhelmed. It's kind of John Wick's thing to make last-minute saves.
Plus, Lionsgate can't miss out on an opportunity for Reeves to cameo in another movie. Although this is Ana de Armas' solo project, it can certainly serve as a platform for franchise cameos. The return of both Lance Reddick and Ian McShane supports this notion. Bear in mind that Reddick's role is a posthumous one, as the actor sadly passed away in 2023 due to heart disease.
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina opens in theaters on June 6, 2025.