Blackburn-born Ian McShane Stars in Latest John Wick Film: Ballerina
The highly anticipated film, Ballerina, has finally hit the cinemas, and Blackburn-born actor Ian McShane is back as Winston Scott, owner of the Continental Hotel and a close friend of John Wick. According to a report by Lancashire Telegraph, McShane’s character is set to play a significant role in the latest installment of the John Wick franchise.
In an interview with Lancashire Telegraph, McShane discussed the film’s plot, which follows Ana de Armas as a ballerina-turned-assassin trained by the same skilled group as Keanu Reeves’ Wick. The story is set between 2019’s Chapter 3 and 2023’s Chapter 4, and it explores the mysterious ballerina-assassin’s mission to avenge her father’s death.
McShane also praised his co-star, Ana de Armas, saying, "She’s great, Ana. I mean, it’s about time they had a woman in this franchise, anyway! But, I mean, it’s a logical thing, because you met this character in episode three as a kid, and this is really her backstory, part of it, before it jumps forward." As quoted in the Lancashire Telegraph article, McShane highlighted the significance of de Armas’ character, stating that it brings a new dynamic to the franchise.
The film also marks a bittersweet moment for McShane and fellow returning members of the franchise, as it has been released posthumously following the death of Lance Reddick, who played Continental concierge Charon. Lancashire Telegraph reported that Reddick’s death was due to coronary artery disease and atherosclerotic heart disease in 2023. McShane described Reddick as "a dear friend," adding that Ballerina is "a fitting tribute" to the actor.
In the Lancashire Telegraph article, McShane shared some insights into his character’s relationship with Charon, saying, "We invented our back stories together, of how (Charon and Winston) first got together, because they were very much a team in the movie. And they met, I think, back in the Seventies, when he was representing an African government, and I was MI6 out there, and then they kept their relationship going."
Ballerina is set to hit UK cinemas on Friday, June 6. Fans of the John Wick franchise can expect an action-packed film with a new storyline, while also paying tribute to the late Lance Reddick. According to Lancashire Telegraph, McShane’s character, Winston Scott, will play a significant role in the film, and fans are eagerly waiting to see how the story unfolds.
The John Wick franchise has gained a massive following worldwide, and with the addition of Ana de Armas as a ballerina-turned-assassin, the series is expected to reach new heights. As reported by Lancashire Telegraph, McShane’s return as Winston Scott is a significant aspect of the film, and fans are excited to see how his character will contribute to the storyline. With the release of Ballerina, fans can expect an exciting and action-packed film that explores new storylines while maintaining the essence of the John Wick franchise.
