When fans think of the sleek, brutal, and stylish world of John Wick, one name instantly comes to mind: Keanu Reeves, the legendary “Baba Yaga.” But in the upcoming spin-off Ballerina, the spotlight shifts to a new face: Ana de Armas.

In a recent late-night interview, the Cuban star opened up about the grueling training, the countless fight sequences, and the surreal experience of going head-to-head with Keanu Reeves himself.

Ice Cream as Survival Fuel

Ana began with a funny confession: even though she had to endure months of punishing training, she couldn’t resist sneaking in her guilty pleasure — Ben & Jerry’s Tonight Dough ice cream.

“You shouldn’t ask me this when I’m promoting an action movie,” Ana laughed. “But yes, on my most painful nights, I had to. It just made me happy.”

Brutal Training: “Halfway Through, They Told Me There’s Still Half to Go”

To embody the assassin Eve in Ballerina, Ana trained for months, learning hand-to-hand combat, weapons, and fight choreography. But the toughest part came when the stunt team revealed the truth:

“Three, four months in, they told us, ‘We’re only halfway done.’ The rest we’d have to learn on set while filming. There was just so much fighting, I honestly lost count.”

Facing Keanu Reeves: From Nerves to Pure Excitement

One of the movie’s most anticipated moments is Ana’s face-off against Keanu Reeves. For her, it was both intimidating and thrilling:

“Oh my gosh, I was just so happy to reunite with Keanu after 10 years. We first met filming Knock Knock, and he had just wrapped the first John Wick. I still remember him standing up in a restaurant and showing us fight moves like a little kid. And now, here I am actually fighting him on screen.”

What struck her most was Keanu’s generosity on set:

“This is his happy place — he loves rehearsing, martial arts, all of it. But he’s never imposing. If he sees you need time, he steps back. Then when you’re ready, he just says, ‘I’m coming for you.’ And when he says that… you know the real fight is about to start.”

From “John Wick Wants Out” to “Ballerina Wants In”

According to Ana, Ballerina is set between John Wick 3 and John Wick 4, but what makes it stand out is the fresh perspective:

“If John Wick is all about someone trying to escape the underworld, Eve is about someone desperate to enter it. That contrast is what makes the story so compelling. Beyond the action, there’s so much emotion and heart.”

The “Lead Role” Her Family Still Forgets

When asked if her family was excited about her finally being the true lead, Ana laughed:

“They are excited, but it’s always, ‘Yeah, but Keanu’s in it.’ I’m like, ‘Hello? I’m the lead here!’”

Expanding the John Wick Universe

Ballerina is more than just a spin-off — it’s a bold expansion of the John Wick universe. With Ana de Armas stepping into the spotlight, alongside familiar faces like Keanu Reeves, the film promises both explosive action and deeper emotional storytelling.

Fans will get the signature gun-fu battles they love, but also a more personal and vulnerable perspective.