At the recent Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia, actress Ana de Armas graced the stage and shared insights into her foray into action films. She candidly admitted that her journey in the genre was not premeditated; rather, it was a serendipitous discovery. "I never envisioned myself as an athlete or envisioned myself in action movies," she shared with the audience during an In Conversation session. "It began with No Time to Die, progressed through The Gray Man and Ghosted, and Ballerina was a whole new level—challenging, demanding, and exhilarating. I truly loved expanding that universe."
While delving into action roles, de Armas was faced with the intense physical demands of her characters, pushing her to develop skills she never thought she would need. "The training was relentless," she recounted. "It lasted for months before shooting and continued during filming. There's no time for rehearsal, so you're constantly learning and adapting on the fly. It was exhausting—but I loved it. I learned so much."
The actress also spoke of her bond with Keanu Reeves, recalling her first encounter with him on the set of Eli Roth's Knock Knock when she "barely" spoke English. She revealed that Reeves was always "kind and generous" towards her, and reuniting with him on the set of Ballerina felt like a "full circle" moment for her.
De Armas's words painted a vivid picture of her journey from the unforeseen path into action films to the intense training and unexpected friendships that shaped her career. Her enthusiasm for the genre and the challenges it presented was palpable, making her story a compelling one for both fans and fellow actors alike.
