John Wick “spin-off” Ballerina set to open up expanded cinematic universe

It seems nothing in the film world is outside of the realms of the latest fad – the cinematic expanded universe. And it seems we may have our newest inclusion into the ranks with the news that John Wick could be about to expand substantially.

The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Lionsgate has acquired the rights to a new spec script called Ballerina, a female-centered action film that the studio hopes to add to the John Wick series. Written by newcomer Shay Hatten, who currently works for Team Downey (Robert Downey Jnr’s production company) as a writer’s assistant, the script reportedly in the vein of Luc Besson’s La Femme Nikita with a “hyper-stylized bent a la Quentin Tarantino or Matthew Vaughn.”

Early details from the site suggest the story follows a “young woman raised as an assassin who must hunt down the other assassins that murdered her family.” John Wick producer Basil Iwanyk will produce the film.

John Wick has been a huge success since its inception: the first film, released in 2014, grossed $88million from its small $20million budget. And earlier this year, the sequel made almost $170million across the globe with a $92million domestic gross.

A third film is in the writing stages right now with director Chad Stahelski set to return if schedules work out, as well as star Keanu Reeves.