Summary
Ballerinawas a lot of fun, embracing the actionJohn Wickfans have come to love, and the franchise looks set to continue with the Caine spinoff. However, despite the series' success, none of its proposed spinoffs include the one character from theJohn Wickuniverse audiences want to see in their own movie.
After only a few weeks in theaters,Ballerinahas already earned north of $91 million at the worldwide box office. Given that the spinoff’s budget was reportedly $90 million, and it still has several weeks before leaving cinemas, it is likely being eyed as a financial success. However,Ballerinastill features Keanu Reeves as John Wick in a reasonably sized role, which doesn’t allow the spinoff to stand on its own. As the universe grows,John Wickhas yet to announce a follow-up featuring the one character who could carry a movie franchise spinoff without Reeves.
Like any successful franchise, the studios backing them want to stretch it for every penny they can get out of it.John Wick: Chapter 4sought to bring the story to a reasonable end, allowing things to conclude with the character at peace. However, with the returns on the action series continuing to be impressive at the box office, there are even rumblings of afifth John Wick film, with the character being brought back to appease the almighty dollar.Even ifJohn Wick 5never materializes, the franchise is embracing the idea of spinoffs and prequels.
The Continentalwas the first prequel to the franchise. It was a three-episode miniseries that told the story of Winston’s rise to power at the New York Continental Hotel in the 1970s.Ballerinais the most recent spinoff. It takes place during the events of theJohn Wickfilms, followingnew character Eve Macarroas she seeks to avenge her father’s death at the hands of a deadly cult of assassins.
TheJohn Wickuniverse is also developing a spinoff centered on Donnie Yen’s Caine, who was first introduced inJohn Wick: Chapter 4. The international martial arts star is also said to be directing the movie, which could feature Akira, the daughter of the Continental Osaka Hotel manager whom Caine killed inChapter 4. While other plans have been rumored, no other spinoffs currently look to be in development despite fans of the franchise already knowing the perfect character to help carry things forward.
John Wick: Chapter 3Gave Audiences The Perfect Spinoff Character With Halle Berry’s Sofia
Sofia Al-Azwar is the manager of the Casablanca Continental Hotel, first introduced inJohn Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum.The character ispulled into John Wick’s storywhen he cashes in a marker she gave him years earlier, asking for her assistance in his quest to get to The High Table. Utilizing her skills in martial arts, which prove to be on par with Wick’s, Sofia also employs well-trained combat dogs, offering the third installment some of its best action moments when they are set loose on her enemies. Halle Berry brought Sofia to life, even showing off the training she endured with Keanu Reeves before filming.
After Sofia helped John, she retreated to her role at the Continental, never appearing inanotherJohn Wickuniverse project. While the franchise took time to focus on characters like Winston inThe Continental, as the character even has the same job, merely in another part of the world, Sofia has yet to be featured in her own story. Even withJohn Wick: Chapter 4being an epic, globe-trotting action film, Halle Berry’s star presence was not brought back for the sequel.
Halle Berry Has The Star Power To Carry Spinoff Films Without Keanu Reeves' John Wick
Ballerinacaptured the action ofJohn Wickbetter thanThe Continentalcould via a TV series. However,Ballerinaalso relied heavily on the fact that it featured Reeves returning to the role of John Wick.Ballerinafeatured Lance Reddick in one of his final roles, Anejlica Huston, and Ian McShane, returning to their franchise roles. While this helped tie it into theJohn Wickuniverse,Reeves' part is larger than it likely should have been, with the Ana de Armas-led spinoff almost utilizing it like a crutch despite the movie being capable of thriving without it.While the result was still good,Ballerinafelt it couldn’t survive if it didn’t feature Reeves as Wick.
Allrespect to de Armas and Ballerina, who is a fantastic actor, butHalle Berry carries the star power to continue her character in a standalone project without having Reeves to bolster views.Berry’s genuine star power could easily see a Sofia spinoff succeed, allowingJohn Wick: Chapter 4to remain the character’s end, with other stars carrying the franchise forward.
Sofia is also said to have a daughter, with some fans speculating that her child could be one of the Ruska Roma Ballerinas. If this were true, Berry’s Sofia could play into aBallerinasequel with a natural story element already in place. Franchise director Chad Stahelski also mentioned ideas involving Sofia and Shamier Anderson’s character, introduced inChapter 4, who showed a similar proficiency with dogs and weapons. WhileBallerinalooks to be doing fine at the box office, which may spur Donnie Yen’s Caine movie into production, theJohn Wickuniverse set up a fantastic character in Halle Berry’s Sofia, and she has yet to be given her proper due.
