John Wick: Chapter 4 is in German cinemas, the next trip to the Wick universe is already being prepared. The first trailer for The Continental, the series that tells the prequel to the successful film franchise, was released today.
Check out the first trailer for The Continental here:
The Continental – Teaser 1 (English) HD
The Continental tells the backstory of John Wick with popular characters from the series
The official plot description of the series is as follows:
Told from the hotel manager’s perspective, a young Winston Scott (Colin Woodell) is dragged through 1975 New York City to confront a past he thought he had left behind. In an attempt to take control of the iconic hotelwhich serves as a meeting place for the planet’s most dangerous criminals, Winston sets a deadly trail through New York’s mysterious underworld.
Unlike the John Wick films, the series will also take on real historical events. Among them is the rise of the Italo-American mafia in various industries, which peaked in the 1970s.
Winston from the John Wick movies is the main character this time
To the Cast of The Continental also features Mel Gibson, Deadwood and Sons of Anarchy star Ray McKinnon, and Jessica Allain from the latest Texas Chainsaw Massacre film, alongside Colin Woodell in the role played by Ian McShane in the films. Ayomide Adegun will play the young Charon, who was portrayed in the films by late actor Lance Reddick.
What is the Continental?
In case you’re not adept at Wick mythology, here’s how to explain the hotel: imagine a Best Western or Ibis hotel, but only for organized crime figures. The Continental is a globally active, from the high table independent hotel chain whose branches serve as neutral ground for the criminals. In the four films we’ve seen Continentals in Rome, Osaka, Casablanca and of course New York.
Strict rules prevail in the hotels: business is forbidden on their premises and this means in particular the carrying out of contract killings. That’s why the Continental also serves as a shelter, which can be bought with a drink at the bar or by reserving a room. Payment is made with the gold coins that serve as the currency of the underworld in the John Wick films.
When is The Continental coming and where can you stream the series then?
The Continental is being produced as a miniseries for the American streaming service Peacock. It consists of three episodes. The first and third episodes are directed by Albert Hughes, who co-directed the Johnny Depp film From Hell and Denzel Washington’s end-time adventure Book of Eli with his brother Allen. The second episode is directed by Charlotte Brändström, who most recently directed The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
The Continental is scheduled for release later this year. In Germany, the series will then run on Amazonas reported by the industry website Deadline.
The cinema offshoot Ballerina with Ana de Armas will follow next year. We’re still waiting for an official announcement from John Wick: Chapter 5. However, director Chad Stahelski has been open to continuing his collaboration with Keanu Reeves.