The “John Wick” sequels have delved further and further into the intriguing sense of world-building first established in the 2014 original, introducing a consortium of bizarre characters with even more fascinating backstories. Although the films have remained staunchly focused on Wick himself and his few remaining allies, the franchise has always seemed to lend itself to even more sequels, prequels, and spin-offs that could pick up the torch and tell new stories set in different places — or time periods — in the world of “John Wick.” We’re finally seeing the first attempt at that with “The Continental,” which is set in the 1970s and follows a much younger Winston as he contends with enemies spread out across the Manhattan assassin underworld.
“The Continental” was created and written by Greg Coolidge, Kirk Ward, and Shawn Simmons, with Coolidge and Ward credited as showrunners on the prequel show. Touted as a “three-part special event based on the blockbuster action franchise,” the three total episodes will be directed by Albert Hughes and Charlotte Brändström and are rumored to boast runtimes of roughly 90 minutes each. The original creative team from the movies — Chad Stahelski, Derek Kolstad, and David Leitch — remain on board as executive producers on the series, along with “Deadpool” writers Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese. The rest of the cast includes Peter Greene, Ben Robson, Hubert Point-Du Jour, Jessica Allain, Mishel Prada, Nhung Kate, and, unfortunately, Mel Gibson.
Fans can watch “The Continental” when it debuts on Peacock on September 22, 2023.
