Where the Wickiverse goes next
STRAP ON YOUR BULLETPROOF VEST — JOHN WICK SPIN-OFF THE CONTINENTAL IS COMING IN HOT
THE JOHN WICK extended universe is upon us. The Continental, a three-episode series named after the criminal hotel in the hyper-violent Keanu Reeves-fronted films, transports the franchise back to 1970s New York. Among the characters caught in its web is Winston (Colin Woodell, playing a young version of the character made famous by Ian Mcshane), whose family ties send him on a gun-toting mission of justice that is the first step towards him running the hotel. Expect mayhem, exquisite suits, and the following...
A NEW TIME PERIOD
The show is largely set in the 1970s, and follows Winston’s quest to find his estranged brother, Frankie (Ben Robson). “It was such a unique time, especially in New York City history,” Woodell tells Empire. The actor says that the show’s time-rewind was a big factor in helping it stand apart from the John Wick films, from its period interiors to its ample ’70s needle-drops. Yet some timeless elements from the series make an appearance, such as Winston’s signature neckwear. “There was an ongoing debate as to whether it was a cravat or an ascot, and then it became a bit that’s in all three episodes,” says Woodell, who was given one of the cravats (or is it an ascot?) as a wrap gift.
NEW THREATS
Although The Continental is set to be tonally different from the Wick movies, it promises to deliver on what fans expect — so get ready for a whole lot of ultra-deadly criminals. “When you surround [John] with these vibrant, bizarre, obscure characters, it all works,” says Woodell. “We wanted to honour that, but also make our own thing.” This violent new ensemble includes assassin twins named Hansel and Gretel (Mark Musashi and Marina Mazepa), a mysterious masked woman (Katie Mcgrath) complete with a torture-loving henchman, plus Cormac (Mel Gibson), the vicious head of the Continental.
A NEW WINSTON
“He’s the one who sits in the vault sipping whiskey while everyone’s shooting each other,” says Woodell of his character. Yet in The Continental, Winston’s motivations, which eventually lead him to running the hotel, are laid bare. And they’re not so different from Wick’s. “It’s a story of revenge and making amends for what I think is taken from [my character], and that’s my love and my family,” the actor explains. There’s still over 30 years until we meet Mcshane’s iteration of Winston, and Woodell is keen to continue his journey. “I love Ian’s embellishment [of the character], and how delicious everything is,” he says. “To some degree we begin to get there at the end [of The Continental] and you understand what motivates him, but I didn’t get to really participate in that deliciousness.” At least if he gets the call, he’s got the neck attire ready.
THE CONTINENTAL: FROM THE WORLD OF JOHN WICK IS ON PRIME VIDEO FROM SEPTEMBER