Maddie Ziegler’s new action film ‘Pretty Lethal’ features a new blend of dance and combat fighting: ‘Ballet-Fu’

When actress Maddie Ziegler first read the script for the film Pretty Lethal, which premiered at SXSW over the weekend, she was immediately drawn to it because of its authenticity—even if, sure, the ballerinas are also seen scrappily fighting like a bunch of feral cats. 

“There’s been so many dance films that have not accurately depicted what it’s like to be a real-life ballerina,” Ziegler said during a panel discussion at the Fast Company Grill at SXSW.

After first gaining fame as a young dancer on the reality show...