It Wasn’t The Same

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Chad Stahelski, one of the creators of John Wick, recently opened up about the series and expressed that he doesn’t view “The Continental: From the World of John Wick” as a continuation of the same storyline. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Stahelski revealed that he, along with several other creative minds such as Keanu Reeves, were not involved in its production. He felt this was because they were unjustly considered replaceable. Now, Stahelski holds “franchise oversight” for all things related to John Wick and believes that the combined elements of the series surpass their individual values. Although the future of the franchise is uncertain, it’s clear that they will avoid repeating the mistakes made in “The Continental.

In simpler terms, Stahelski stated that Keanu and himself weren’t exactly ignored, but their input wasn’t significantly considered during the streaming series. The studio attempted to persuade him they were competent, believing they possessed a secret recipe for success. They assumed that using anamorphic lenses, setting up a quirky hotel, adding unusual dialogue, and integrating crime drama would be enough to make it work.

Stanikowski provided some insights on what he believed was lacking in The Continental – Keanu Reeves’ unique acting, Basil Iwank’s instinctive production skills, and his own rich background in martial arts choreography. Yet, he acknowledged that from an external perspective, it wouldn’t be unfair for others to assume they could manage without him. “If you observed our method,” he stated, “you’d likely respond, ‘Are you telling me this multi-billion dollar franchise operates like this?’

In the 1970s, the story unfolds in “The Continental,” which serves as a prequel to all John Wick films. This hotel is where assassins, including John Wick, can find refuge and re-stock their weapons before resuming their dangerous activities. The series follows the transformation of Winston Scott (played by Colin Woodell) into the hotel’s manager. The creators of this show are Greg Coolidge, Kirk Ward, and Shawn Simmons. It made its debut on Peacock in 2023 and received a mix of positive and negative feedback from both fans and critics. Unfortunately, no official numbers were released regarding viewership, and there has been little discussion about extending the narrative further.

Currently, the John Wick series has several projects underway. The film “Ballerina” is currently showing in cinemas, while the documentary titled “Wick is Pain” was recently made available for digital rental or purchase on PVOD platforms. Keanu Reeves and the team are planning an animated prequel featuring Wick, as well as a spinoff focusing on Donnie Yen‘s character, the assassin Caine. Additionally, Stahelski continues to work on potential plans for “John Wick: Chapter 5”, although he mentioned that the storyline is still being developed at this time.

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2025-06-06 01:10