IGN has dropped a brand new image offering fans a glimpse into the highly-anticipated Peacock series The Continental: From the World of John Wick. The sneak peek showcases none other than the legendary actor Mel Gibson in his role as Cormac, the formidable and unyielding proprietor of the iconic Continental Hotel.
During a recent conversation IGN, The Continental executive producer Basil Iwanyk and director Albert Hughes directly confronted the controversy surrounding the casting of Mel Gibson in the upcoming John Wick spin-off series. The producers addressed the concerns and defended their decision to bring Gibson on board, emphasizing the unique qualities he brings to Cormac.
“I have my own personal beliefs in life and whatnot about everything, but I’m here to entertain,” Hughes told the site. “And earlier in my career, I wasn’t so careful. But there’s a weight that he brought, the stuff that he brought from his past roles and what he has done that we needed for this role. And I don’t think anybody could have fit better, let’s put it that way, just with his chops and his experience.”
The Continental: From the World of John Wick takes viewers on a thrilling journey into the past as it explores the origins of one of the franchise’s most beloved characters. The series follows a young Winston, played by Colin Woodell, best known for his role as Rick Betancourt in the USA Network series The Purge.
In addition to Colin Woodell, The Continental also boasts a star-studded cast including Mel Gibson, Hubert Point-Du, Jessica Allain, Mishel Prada, Nhung Kate, Ben Robson, Peter Greene, Ayomide Adegun, Jeremy Bobb, Katie McGrath, Ray McKinnon, Adam Shapiro, Mark Musashi, and Marina Mazepa.
The people behind the John Wick prequel series
The Continental was written by a team of writers consisting of Greg Coolidge, Kirk Ward, Shawn Simmons and Ken Kristensen, with Albert Hughes and Charlotte Brändström directing the three episodes.. The series is produced by Coolidge, Ward, Basil Iwanyk, Albert Hughes, Derek Kolstad, Chad Stahelski, and David Leitch.
The synopsis reads as follows: “The three-part event series will explore the origin behind the iconic hotel-for-assassins centerpiece of the John Wick universe through the eyes and actions of a young Winston Scott, as he’s dragged into the Hell-scape of 1970’s New York City to face a past he thought he’d left behind. Winston charts a deadly course through the hotel’s mysterious underworld in a harrowing attempt to seize the hotel where he will eventually take his future throne.”
The Continental is expected to hit Peacock in September 2023. Stay tuned for the latest news regarding the John Wick series and make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more content!
