The upcoming prequel series “The Continental: From the World of John Wick” is coming this fall. The announcement was made during Peacock’s panel at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC).
“The Continental” will serve as an origin story for the iconic hotel-for-assassins within the “John Wick” universe. The story is being told through the eyes of a young Winston Scott (Colin Woodell), who is dragged into the dark underbelly of 1970s New York City. Where he is forced to face a past he thought he was able to put behind him.
Winston eventually becomes the current manager of The Continental in the “John Wick” films (where the character is played by Ian McShane). This series cast also includes Mel Gibson, Michel Prada, Ben Robson, and Jessica Allain.
This three-part series will be executive produced by Albert Hughes (“Alpha”), who is also directing the first and third installments. He attended the SDCC panel with fellow executive producer Marshall Persinger, action director Larnell Stovall, production designer Drew Boughton, and editor Ron Rosen.
“Fun and escapism, not being too heavy, that’s the thing I learned,” Hughes said about being thrust into the established universe. He also pointed out since the story is set in 1970s New York, he toyed with stories centering around a mayoral race, a sanitation strike, and even the infamous Summer of Sam. “John Wick kicks all that out,” Hughes exclaimed.
During the panel, they also aired four clips from “The Continental” that aren’t available to the public just yet. One showed Scott’s brother Frankie (Robson) battling his way up a stairwell. Complete with head-shots, close-quarter hand-to-hand combat, blood spurts, and of course bodies dropping everywhere. According to Hughes and Stovall, the scene was shot in one day with Robson training for three weeks to prepare.
“I have been blessed to work on a lot of films, big-budget to independents, arthouse and franchises, and I have to say that Albert Hughes is the first director that as a filmmaker entrusts his stunt team and second unit to be a visual extension of his creativity,” Stovall said. “That’s something we don’t get. These stunt people and those who design these sequences deserve their work to be seen and not be chopped up.”
Given the current climate of performers and writers fighting for their work to be valued. That says a lot about the director’s dedication to making sure everyone is represented.
“The Continental” will premiere September 22nd, only on Peacock. The next two episodes will be released on September 29th and October 6th, respectively. If the SDCC footage gets released, we’ll share it. You can check out the original teaser below.
