Critics Puzzled by ‘Ballerina’ Embargo — Only “Enthusiastic” Reactions Allowed

Lionsgate isn’t even pretending anymore—they’re making it clear that only good vibes are welcome when it comes to early talk around the upcoming John Wick spinoff “Ballerina.”

This morning, a peculiar email was sent out to press with embargo information concerning “Ballerina.” Highly unusual wording was used, and it’s quite honestly the first time I’ve seen such an embargo description.

The message reads, that “spoiler-free enthusiasm” on social media is allowed starting on May 22 and that “critical social sentiment & formal reviews are embargoed until” June 4.

In other words, pump the brakes on honesty—unless it’s glowing. Anything resembling a real opinion will have to wait, but vague praise? Fire away. Lionsgate wants the buzz without the baggage.

Last year, a report from The Wrap had Chad Stahelski replacing original director Len Wiseman and reshooting most of “Ballerina.”

The “Ballerina” reshoots took two to three months, which might have been close to an entire movie’s worth of scenes, and according to the trade’s insider, it further delayed development on Stahelski’s “Highlander” reboot which led to Henry Cavill signing up for the lead role in “Voltron.”

Ian McShane, who stars in “Ballerina,” had basically confirmed the reshoots with Stahelski. The veteran actor implied that “Ballerina” was “just not good enough” and that they had to shoot entirely new sequences with another director (Stahelski). According to McShane, the cast didn’t see them as reshoots, but rather “newshoots.”