New York: Ana de Armas is making headlines as she reunites with Keanu Reeves in the new action film Ballerina, releasing in theatres this Friday. The film marks a full-circle moment for the Cuban-born actress, who first starred opposite Reeves a decade ago.
In 2015, a young de Armas made her Hollywood debut in the erotic thriller Knock Knock. At the time, she had just moved to Los Angeles from Spain, barely spoke English, and learned her lines phonetically.
“It was tough. I felt miserable and very lonely,” she recalls. Determined to prove herself, she told sceptical producers, “I’ll see you in two months” instead of a year.
Since then, de Armas’ career has soared. From a standout role as a hologram in Blade Runner 2049 to stealing the show in Knives Out, charming audiences in No Time to Die, and earning an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in Blonde, she has become one of Hollywood’s most in-demand stars.
Now, a decade after her first scenes with Reeves, de Armas headlines Ballerina, an action-packed instalment in the John Wick universe.
The role cements her transformation into a formidable action star. “It’s a big moment in my career, and I know that. It makes me reflect on how far I’ve come since we met,” she says.
