John Wick: The Continental will take fans on a journey through the origins of the John Wick franchise.
Executive producer Basil Iwanyk, who was involved in every John Wick film, reflected on bringing The Continental to life. In an interview with Den of Geeks, Iwanyk said, “It’s really surreal because this was a bit like the accidental franchise. We created this universe, and a lot of our audience wants to know more about this world and not just about John, and so it felt like The Continental and Ballerina were the next steps in this evolution.”
Premiering as a trilogy of movie-length episodes, the TV mini-series dives into the mysterious world of The Continental, a New York safe haven for assassins. With impressive action sequences and a diverse, female-led cast, the show aims to expand the mythology of the John Wick universe. The Continental marks a significant expansion of the John Wick universe, allowing fans to immerse themselves in the history and evolution of this captivating world.
The Continental Was a Challenging Pursuit
Director Albert Hughes understands the pressure of living up to the franchise’s standards, he said, “This kind of thing has been done; whether it’s Jon Favreau with Star Wars or Noah Hawley with Fargo, but not in the same way because John Wick is unique.” He acknowledged the challenge of creating a prequel that stands out amidst a wave of similar projects.
Diversity and female empowerment take center stage in The Continental, with strong female assassins stealing the spotlight. Iwanyk emphasizes the conscious decision to have an inclusive cast. He proclaimed, “We want to make this as varied of a cast as we possibly can, and I think it’s something that, across all the movies and the TV shows, we’re really, really proud of.”
“Dominican Republic, Puerto Rican, African American, and a Vietnamese woman. And I go, ‘Wow, I didn’t realize that.’ I did realize the women were kicking asses,” Director Hughes shared how his daughter’s observation of the diverse female cast resonated with him. Hughes teased a climactic finale spanning 57 minutes with nonstop action sequences, staying true to the franchise’s reputation for thrilling action.
As the series approaches its premiere, fans can expect the exploration of Winston Scott and Charon’s earlier lives. Colin Woodell and Ayomide Adegun, portrayed by Mel Gibson take on the roles of these iconic characters, portrayed by Ian McShane and the late Lance Reddick in the films.
John Wick: The Continental will premiere in September 2023 on Peacock in the USA and on Prime Video in the UK.
Source: Den of Geeks