Ana de Armas may look like a seasoned action hero in Ballerina, but even she has her limits. The highly anticipated spinoff of the John Wick franchise puts the Cuban actress front and center as Eve Macarro, a ballerina-turned-assassin who navigates a treacherous underworld. Armed with pistols, knives, and even a flamethrower, de Armas delivers a physically demanding performance that has audiences buzzing. Yet behind the slick choreography and fiery explosions, one particular scene proved so emotionally overwhelming that de Armas broke down and walked away from the set.
During a recent press day for Ballerina, de Armas recalled the moment she first used a flamethrower on a stuntperson. The actress admitted she initially declined practice with the weapon, believing she could learn on the fly. However, the stunt crew insisted she needed to get comfortable with the intimidating piece of equipment. What followed was an intense, unforgettable experience that left her in tears.
The Flamethrower Scene That Shook Ana de Armas
Director Len Wiseman, who helmed Ballerina, previously shared his perspective on the scene. In an interview earlier this year, Wiseman described how de Armas cried when she first set a stunt performer on fire. “It was a very real moment,” Wiseman explained. “She’s not someone who takes the danger lightly. When she pulled that trigger and saw the flames engulf a real person, even with all the safety precautions, it hit her hard.”
De Armas’s own recollection adds a deeply personal layer to the story. Speaking at the film’s New York press day, she said, “I thought, ‘I’ll just learn it on set.’ But they told me, ‘No, you need to practice with this.’ And they were right. The first time I actually did it, I just started crying. It was too much. I walked away.”
The actress’s vulnerability in that moment stands in stark contrast to the fierce character she portrays on screen. Eve Macarro is a trained killer who dispatches enemies with brutal efficiency, but de Armas’s reaction reveals the human cost of performing such visceral stunts.
From Bond Girl to Action Star
De Armas’s journey to becoming an action lead has been anything but overnight. She first turned heads with a breakout performance in Blade Runner 2049 as Joi, a digital companion whose emotional depth earned critical acclaim. She then stole scenes in Knives Out as a kind-hearted nurse caught in a web of mystery, and showcased her physicality in No Time to Die as Paloma, a CIA agent who holds her own alongside Daniel Craig’s James Bond.
But Ballerina marks her first true action lead, requiring months of rigorous training in martial arts, weapons handling, and stunt choreography. The film, set within the gritty world of John Wick, demanded a level of commitment that went beyond typical Hollywood preparation. De Armas underwent intensive fight training, learning everything from close-quarters combat to precision shooting. She also had to master the film’s signature flamethrower sequences, a unique challenge that pushed her both physically and emotionally.
The Reality of Working with Real Fire
Flamethrowers are among the most dangerous props in filmmaking. While modern effects use a combination of propane and compressed air to create controlled bursts of flame, the risk is inherently high. Stunt performers wear specially designed fire-resistant suits and gel coatings to protect their skin, but the heat and danger are undeniable.
The stunt crew’s insistence that de Armas practice with the flamethrower was rooted in safety. Operating such a device requires understanding its mechanics, controlling the flow of fuel, and maintaining a safe distance from the subject. For de Armas, seeing a real person engulfed in flames—even under controlled conditions—triggered a visceral response she hadn’t anticipated.
“You have this idea in your head that it’s going to be a cool movie moment,” she explained. “But when you’re standing there and you see the fire hit someone, your brain just short-circuits. You forget it’s a movie for a second. It feels real. It feels dangerous. And you cry.”
The emotional release didn’t last long. De Armas composed herself and returned to the set, determined to finish the scene. She drew strength from the stunt performers, who reassured her that they were safe and that her initial reaction was a sign of empathy, not weakness.
A Performance Forged in Fire
That raw emotion ultimately enhanced her performance. In the finished film, Eve Macarro’s flamethrower rampage is both spectacular and terrifying, a testament to de Armas’s ability to channel her real-life intensity into the character. The scene, which had been meticulously storyboarded and rehearsed, becomes a turning point in the movie as Eve unleashes her fury on a wave of enemies.
Wiseman praised de Armas for her willingness to confront her fears. “Ana is incredibly dedicated,” he said. “She could have insisted on using a double or CGI, but she wanted to do it herself. That authenticity comes through on screen. You can see the determination in her eyes—and also the fear.”
For de Armas, the experience left a lasting impression. “It’s something that will stay with me in my brain forever,” she admitted. “Not just the image of the flames, but the feeling of that moment. It taught me that I can push beyond what I think I’m capable of, even when my body and mind are screaming at me to stop.”
The Legacy of the John Wick Franchise
Ballerina is part of a sprawling universe that began with the original John Wick in 2014. The franchise, known for its balletic gunplay and intricate world-building, has become a cultural phenomenon, spawning sequels, a prequel series, and now a spinoff starring de Armas. The film is set between John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4, filling in gaps in the timeline while introducing new characters and locations.
The movie also features the return of fan-favorite characters, including Winston Scott and Charon, while expanding the lore of the High Table and the assasain guilds. For de Armas, stepping into this universe was both an honor and a challenge. “I’m a huge fan of the John Wick movies,” she said. “The fight scenes are like music. I knew I had to live up to that standard.”
Her training regimen was grueling, often lasting six days a week for several months. She worked with stunt coordinator and fight choreographers to develop a movement style that blended classical ballet with brutal hand-to-hand combat. The result is a character who moves with grace but hits with devastating power, a reflection of her ballerina training.
Beyond the Action
Despite the adrenaline-fueled violence, Ballerina also explores themes of grief, revenge, and resilience. Eve Macarro is driven by the murder of her family, and her quest for vengeance takes her through a dark underworld where trust is scarce. De Armas brings a quiet intensity to the role, balancing moments of vulnerable reflection with explosive action.
The film’s supporting cast, including Keanu Reeves in a cameo appearance, adds depth to the narrative. Reeves’s John Wick serves as a mentor figure to Eve, offering guidance in her fight against the High Table. Their scenes together are charged with mutual respect, a passing of the torch to a new generation of assassins.
De Armas’s tears on the flamethrower set are a reminder that even the toughest action heroes are human. The moment encapsulated the emotional and physical toll of making a movie like Ballerina, where every stunt carries real weight. Her decision to walk away, then return, demonstrates a resilience that resonates with audiences. It’s a story of overcoming fear and embracing vulnerability, both on and off screen.
As Ballerina continues its theatrical run, de Armas’s portrayal of Eve Macarro is already being hailed as a standout. The flamethrower scene, in particular, has become a talking point for fans, who admire her commitment to authenticity. “I wanted to be perfect,” she said. “But I learned that perfection isn’t about never being afraid. It’s about being terrified and doing it anyway.”
That sentiment encapsulates her journey from a nervous actress facing a flamethrower to a confident action star who can stare down fire—and keep going.
Source: MSN News