Ballerina, a Female-Led John Wick Spin-Off Movie, Gets Director Len Wiseman

This news is actually significant, as John Wick 4 was greenlit a week into John Wick 3's kick-ass time in cinemas. Shay Hatten, who wrote "John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum", also wrote the spec script that was acquired by Lionsgate in 2017 that was described as in the same vein of Luc Besson's "La Femme Nikita".

"Ballerina" follows a female assassin and will be developed as an extension to the John Wick universe. The various factions in NY and around the world all answer to the High Table, which metes out deadly punishment to anyone out of line.

So far there's no news on who might play this kick-ass young woman - Deadline notes that though the character did appear in Parabellum, nobody's been cast yet for the spin-off - or if Keanu Reeves will make a cameo, though given the huge popularity of the John Wick character, and Reeves' enthusiasm for the series, it seems a safe enough bet.

Now, with a massively successful third film under their belt and a fourth one on the way, it seems Hollywood is set on creating a cinematic universe for the John Wick franchise with the spin-off film Ballerina.

According to Deadline, the character herself appears in Parabellum, though its unknown which of the ballerinas seen performing or practicing in the movie is meant to be the star assassin in the spin-off.

The picture is produced by Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, with Keanu Reeves and Chad Stahelski also involved in producing roles.

Deadline broke the news earlier today that a spinoff movie of the popular action series - titled Ballerina - has been put on the fast track at Lionsgate.

Wiseman previously directed Underworld and its sequel Underworld: Evolution, Live Free or Die Hard and the Total Recall remake.

John Wick 4 is headed our way in 2021, but it looks like it won't be the only John Wick movie we'll have to look forward to.

As yet, there's no planned release date for Ballerina.