Ballerina
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Interview: David Castañeda Talks ‘Ballerina,’ Doing His Own Stunts, and His Love for Action Movies
May 30, 2025Ben MK
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Best known for his starring role in The Umbrella Academy, David Castañeda is certainly no stranger to the action genre. Whether he's taking on supporting roles in films like Sicario: Day of the Soldado and The Tax Collector or playing a super-powered human weapon in Netflix's hit series, the 35-year-old actor has consistently been able to incorporate his lifelong love of action movies into his on-screen repertoire. It's a passion that has even led Castañeda to undergo rigorous martial arts training and to perform his own stunt work. And with Len Wiseman's highly anticipated John Wick spin-off, Ballerina, he's taking his fighting skills up a notch or two, playing Javier Macarro, the father of Ana de Armas' titular character, Eve — a man trying to protect his daughter from the vicious cycle of violence that has trapped him and his family. I caught up with David Castañeda to chat about Ballerina, his favorite action movie inspirations, and why moviegoers should be excited about this latest installment in the John Wick universe. The John Wick franchise is best known for its fast-paced action and jaw-dropping stunt work. And, of course, you're best known for playing Diego Hargreeves in The Umbrella Academy, whose powers would actually fit in quite nicely in the John Wick universe. Can you talk about what drew you to this film? Castañeda: I was a big fan of the John Wick films. I've been wanting to be a part of them. And having the chance to work with Len Wiseman and Chad Stalhelski and Ana de Armas, and obviously Keanu Reeves, I would have done a lot to get this role. But somehow — maybe [because of] the stuff I did on Umbrella and stuff like that — it was offered to me to play this role. And it was a dream, it was a dream come true to do that. 
Your character, Javier — and what happens to him — is basically what sets Ana de Armas' character, Eve, off on this quest for revenge in Ballerina. Can you tell me more about your role?Castañeda: Javier is [the] father of Eve, who is portrayed by Ana de Armas, who is trying to get his daughter outside of the cycle of becoming this sort of killing machine. And he is part of an alliance that sort of protects people. So, he's not really a killer, he's not an assassin. He's on the other side of things. But, that being said, he doesn't want his daughter to be a part of this world. And that jumpstarts him getting sought after by these people that want to take the daughter back. And through that we see Eve seek revenge throughout the whole movie. Javier really leaves an impression, thanks to the fight choreography involved in your scenes. Did you do any of the stunts yourself? And how did you prepare for this role, physically? Castañeda: They flew me out to Budapest, and I got to train with the stuntmen and stuntwomen for four weeks. And got to learn a lot of hand-on-hand combat, and also gun combat, to be able to go on set and be able to do my stunts, to be able to change choreography at a moment's notice, to be able to fit a certain camera angle, or fit a certain specific tight corner of the set. It was a great challenge to be able to use a lot of the skills I had learned throughout the years in martial arts, and also even in Umbrella, to then add this kinetic way of working that felt even more alive while we were on the set. Everything was moving at a fast pace. 
Were there any action movie inspirations that you drew from in playing Javier?Castañeda: Yeah, I mean I love Jackie Chan. I love Jet Li, I love Van Damme and these martial artists that I would see in the '90s. Even Steven Seagal. Like you would see them and you're just like, "Man..." I would always try to mimic them. And Bruce Lee. So, there's always something about me performing in physical or stunt work, that I always try to find little things that I loved as a child and implement it into these characters. Or even like Bruce Willis, when he looks super suave, like throwing grenades, and he's just kind of walking and he's not even paying attention to anybody. Those are little things that I really take into account. I love The Matrix. That's probably my top action movie. The Raid is amazing. Ong-Bak is another one that I love. Anything with Jackie, whether it's Rumble in the Bronx or Drunken Master. There's [a movie] called Nobody, which is amazing also. I mean, I can go on. I love action movies. The Die Hard movies — Len Wiseman did one of the Die Hard movies, one of the good ones too, that I really enjoyed. Of course, you share screen time with the one and only Gabriel Byrne. What was it like working with him? Castañeda: Oh, he was the sweetest. He was so good. I felt really protected by him, and he gave me the nicest complements while we were doing our scene. You know, to be seen by someone of that caliber or that pedigree of training and accolades was — I felt good going home. It was great. Was there a particular aspect of filming that was most memorable for you? Castañeda: I think the most memorable aspect was, after the few weeks of fighting and acting, getting to work with all these phenomenal artists and being exhausted by the end, for myself. And I can only imagine them, because they continued shooting. But exhausted, and sort of the element [that] I felt like I held my own around these people. I held my own. And, yeah, I remember that, and I'll hold that forever. 
Do you think we'll get to see Javier return in future installments of this series, perhaps in flashbacks?Castañeda: I don't know, and I can't speak on that, because they're so tight-lipped about where it's going. I mean, I think they might be doing a [John Wick] Five already. But if the call comes, I'll answer. Last but not least, do you have a message for all those John Wick fans who have been eagerly awaiting to see the franchise make its explosive return to the big screen? Castañeda: Oh man. I hope you have as much fun as I did making it. That's my biggest thing. |
Ballerina is in theaters June 6th.
