The Continental EPs Reveal Mind-Blowing Reason Why John Wick Spinoff Takes Fans on an Unforgettable Time-Leaping Journey

Summary

In order to enhance the visual appeal and align with the movie timeline, the producers of The Continental series recognized the challenge of setting it in the present day.

The original concept would have provided an opportunity to explore undiscovered areas and introduce fresh characters within the Continental universe, potentially establishing connections to previous movie events.

Centered around Winston Scott, the prequel adaptation of The Continental delves into his backstory and the path that led him to his role as the manager of the New York Continental. This version offers valuable insights into his character and sets the stage for his future journey.

The Continental executive producers, Erica Lee and Basil Iwanyk, discussed the series' initial plan to be set in the present day. However, they soon realized this concept was not viable. The John Wick movies have introduced various Continental Hotels worldwide, such as in New York, Osaka, Rome, Casablanca, and Osaka. The New York Continental Hotel, managed by Winston Scott, was first introduced in the original John Wick film. The upcoming prequel series explores Winston's origins and how he became the proprietor of the New York Continental Hotel in the 1970s.

During a recent press event attended by Screen Rant, Lee and Iwanyk disclosed an early premise of the series. Originally, they intended to set the show in the present day at a new Continental location. Although they had completed scripts for this idea, they eventually had to start over and develop the new concept for The Continental. Below are some quotes from Lee and Iwanyk regarding this change.

Erica Lee: The initial concept we brainstormed was set in the present day, featuring another continent and another city.

Basil Iwanyk: It progressed beyond just an idea. We dedicated years to developing scripts and hiring writers.

Erica Lee: And, in the end, it didn't gain traction because it was challenging to present it as both captivating and trendy within the given timeframe. Agree? If we proceeded with the show and the movies simultaneously, we would be limiting our options.

Basil Iwanyk: Moreover, we were lacking Keanu's involvement.

Erica Lee: It was an intriguing challenge - how could we make that even more captivating? So, we reached out to the local community and writers, announcing our quest for a fresh concept. The team presented an ingenious prequel idea that truly blew us away. This concept delves into a period of intense emotion and centers around the iconic Continental, a significant element of the series. In the movies, we only scratched the surface of its essence, but now we have the opportunity to dive deep into its world. Consequently, we can also explore the remarkable evolution of Winston, a character we have grown to adore in the movies, as he assumes the role of the beloved manager today.

What A Different Version Of The Continental Could Have Looked Like

While the original concept for The Continental may not have panned out, it had the potential to offer a captivating avenue for expanding the John Wick universe. Although John Wick has encountered a few of the luxurious hotels, there are numerous others that remain unseen on screen. If the creators had adhered to their initial vision, The Continental could have delved into this captivating aspect of the world by introducing fresh characters who delve deep into the inner workings of the hotel, especially in the aftermath of John Wick's impactful actions.

This presented an opportunity to incorporate characters from the movies or reference significant events. Conversely, it also served as an avenue to explore the Continental from a fresh perspective, such as through the eyes of another assassin or the hotel's employees. While this alternative would have undoubtedly piqued curiosity, the prequel iteration grants viewers a chance to delve further into the backstory of a beloved character, Winston Scott.

Winston has been a fixture in the John Wick franchise and the New York Continental since its inception. The prequel will delve deeper into Winston's origins and elucidate his journey to becoming the manager of the esteemed New York Continental. Winston rises to an influential position, earning the respect of the old-school assassins. However, he eventually finds himself at odds with the High Table too frequently. Through the lens of the Continental, the narrative hints at Winston's introduction to this clandestine world, offering glimpses of the man he will ultimately become and illustrating how his early experiences shape his future.