The Continental: The Continental is a global network of hotels that acts as a neutral territory for individuals involved in criminal activities as John Wick. The hotel staff at the Continental are responsible for managing and accommodating the needs of assassins and other dangerous individuals who choose to stay there.
First episode date: September 22, 2023 (USA)
Based on: John Wick; by Derek Kolstad
Composer: Raffertie
Directed by: Albert Hughes; Charlotte Brändström
Executive producers: Greg Coolidge; Kirk Ward; Basil Iwanyk; Albert Hughes; Derek Kolstad; Chad Stahelski; David Leitch
Original network: Peacock
For More: All Upcoming Movies Of 2023
The Continental Trailer
The Continental: Most Recent John Wick Prequel News
The latest update on The Continental’s John Wick prequel spinoff reveals its participation in San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC). Lionsgate has chosen The Continental to be the main attraction of their panels during the event, allowing fans of John Wick to attend the show’s panel on Friday, July 21. This decision highlights the significance of The Continental for Lionsgate, especially since several of their movies, including the John Wick spinoff Ballerina, will not be present at SDCC this year.
This strategic move offers several advantages, considering that The Continental will enjoy a more prominent presence at this year’s event. With many studios, such as Marvel, Sony, and Universal, opting out of SDCC 2023 due to the ongoing 2023 Writers Guild of America strike, there will be a limited number of casts, panels, and new footage showcased. Consequently, the reduced competition increases the interest in offerings like The Continental, which is likely to present exclusive footage for the convention attendees.
The Continental Story & John Wick Connections
While many aspects of The Continental’s story and the plot of the John Wick prequel show remain mysterious, director Albert Hughes has shared some details. He confirmed that The Continental will still showcase the intense action synonymous with John Wick, with various characters exhibiting different fighting styles. Hughes mentioned an opening sequence that pays homage to the fans and seamlessly incorporates these action elements throughout the series.
In keeping with the John Wick style, The Continental will also venture beyond the borders of the United States. While New York City holds significant importance in the DNA of the series, portions of The Continental will be set in England.
Set in the 1970s, the John Wick spinoff follows Winston’s journey as he becomes the manager of the New York Continental. A unique aspect of The Continental is its incorporation of real-life events, such as the rise of the Mafia’s economic power in late 1970s New York and the Winter of Discontent in England, characterized by numerous trade union strikes.
Despite the historical context, The Continental will still revolve around the John Wick franchise’s lore, placing emphasis on Winston as the main character. It is likely that the series will address the mystery surrounding Winston’s relationship to John, potentially revealing if he is indeed John’s father, as hinted in John Wick: Chapter 4.
Director Albert Hughes expressed the challenge of creating The Continental, as the John Wick series was not initially conceived as a franchise with spinoffs and a shared universe. The goal was to avoid diminishing the core franchise while expanding into television. The careful world-building approach taken by the John Wick films will be continued in The Continental, ensuring that the series adds new and exciting elements without oversaturating the IP.
Inspired by the film aesthetic of New York in the 1970s, Albert Hughes cites renowned director Sidney Lumet as a major influence, aiming to maintain the cinematic flourishes that have defined the franchise’s visual style.
Overall, The Continental appears poised to delve into the past, providing fans with intriguing revelations about the John Wick world, while maintaining the meticulous world-building that has made the franchise successful.
Episodes Count Of The Continental
The Continental John Wick spin-off will unfold its narrative across three episodes, and although this may seem relatively short, each episode will have a duration of 90 minutes. Taking inspiration from the approach used in BBC’s Sherlock, this format allows ample time for each episode to delve into a mystery without feeling rushed. By adopting this structure, The Continental aims to provide a cinematic experience akin to a trilogy of movies rather than a traditional TV series. Director Albert Hughes helmed the first and third episodes, while Charlotte Brändström, known for her work on The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, directed the second episode. The combination of extended episodes and talented directors suggests that The Continental will deliver high-quality cinematography and storytelling, matching the standards set by the John Wick films.
