Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Continental!
Summary
Fans of "The Continental" prequel series were left intrigued by the mysteries surrounding Winston's past and the rich world-building within the John Wick Universe. A potential season 2 holds promise for finally unraveling these unanswered questions, as there remains a multitude of untapped storytelling possibilities within this expansive universe.
The coin press, the Bowery King's takeover, the High Table's response to Winston's killing of the Adjudicator, and Winston's Ruska Roma tattoo have become pivotal plot points that fans are eagerly seeking additional details on.
Fans who were hoping for a deeper understanding of the John Wick Universe may find themselves disappointed with the amount of unresolved questions surrounding the world-building in The Continental: From the World of John Wick. This prequel series focused on a young Winston Scott's battle against the notorious kingpin Cormac (played by Mel Gibson) for control of the New York Continental Hotel. Despite emerging victorious, Winston's journey was only just beginning, leaving fans yearning for more insight into the intricate world that has captivated audiences in the John Wick films. While it was entertaining to witness his initial encounters with Charon and uncover the significance behind his ascot, fans were left craving a more comprehensive exploration of his origin story.
If The Continental season 2 materializes, many of these lingering questions may find resolution. With decades ahead in Winston's leadership as The Manager of the most dominant assassin hotels, he is only scratching the surface of comprehending the intricacies of the High Table and the group of assassins under his command. The John Wick Universe provides countless possibilities for further narratives beyond the conclusion of The Continental, ensuring that elements such as the rise of Laurence Fishburne's Bowery King and the implications of possessing the coin press could still be addressed.
10 When Does The Bowery King Take Over From Mazie (& Why?)
In The Continental events, Mazie takes on the role of the Bowery Queen, altering the background of the Bowery King, portrayed by Laurence Fishburne, in the John Wick movies where he is seen alongside Ian McShane's character, Winston. Despite being 20 years younger than McShane, Fishburne's character appears older in the films to establish a sense of contemporaneity. Similarly, McShane is two decades senior to Lance Reddick, who portrays an adult Charon. Consequently, if Fishburne's Bowery King is active during The Continental, he may be a teenager or possibly Mazie's son, diligently trained to serve as her second-in-command. This would position him to inherit the Soup Kitchen and its extensive network of spies in the event of Mazie's elimination as ordered by the High Table.
Your browser does not support the video tag.
9 How Does The High Table React To Winston Killing The Adjudicator?
The Adjudicator's involvement in Frankie's theft of the coin press suggests ambiguous intentions, either driven by her own mysterious motives or as a means to eliminate Cormac's control. As an Adjudicator, her role entails evaluating adherence to the rules set by the High Table and intervening to determine appropriate punishment if necessary. Winston's act of defying the organization, which he has only recently begun to comprehend as an outsider, becomes more impactful with the possession of the coin and the potential to exploit both Cormac's demise and the actions of a rogue Adjudicator. Consequently, he may escape the anticipated repercussions.
8 Does The Bowery Still Have The Coin Press In John Wick?
At the end of The Continental, it is evident that the coin press concealed within the Scott family car was transferred to the bank Winston acquired for the Bowery. If the Bowery managed to retain possession of it for the following four decades, they would have the capability to manipulate the circulation of trade — specifically, social connections — within the criminal underworld. Although it is apparent that Fishburne's Bowery King can function independently of the High Table, it remains uncertain how he achieves this. However, it is possible that he holds the power to inundate the market with gold coins, thereby rendering the High Table's control ineffective.
7 How Does The Coin Press Relate To Berrada's Mint In John Wick 3?
In John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum, John Wick embarks on a journey to Morroco to explore one of the High Table's mints, where the iconic gold coins are manufactured and safeguarded before being distributed among his fellow assassins. It is probable that Cormac's significant influence within the New York Continental, through his coin pressing operation, ultimately necessitated the establishment of such a infrastructure. However, considering the ancient origins of this organization, which predates even the Roman Empire, one would assume that it had already been in place. Clearly, the High Table had to implement precautions to thwart anyone who dared to replicate Cormac's scheme.
6 Why Does Winston Have A Ruska Roma Tattoo In John Wick?
5 What Happened To The Continental's Characters Missing From John Wick's Movies?
Similar to John Wick, Winston also carries the distinctive symbol of the Ruska Roma in John Wick: Chapter 4. This assassin clan took in a young John Wick after the unfortunate demise of his parents. The Continental, which solely narrated the beginnings of John Wick and his association with the High Table and the realm of assassins, did not depict Winston with this mark. After gaining expertise in his craft, it is plausible that Winston encountered The Director (Anjelica Huston) and subsequently decided to align himself with the Ruska Roma, potentially facilitating John's inclusion into the clan. It is logical to assume that Winston would have pledged his loyalty to this group in order to access their valuable resources.
The Continental features a range of unique characters that are not present in the John Wick movies. KD, Lou, Yen, and several other core members are noticeably absent. It is speculated that certain individuals, like the skilled marksman Jenkins, may have already passed away during John Wick's quest for revenge. However, there is a curious absence of the rest of the cast, who would have been around Winston's age. It is possible that they were killed, crossed paths with the powerful High Table, or, if fortunate, managed to leave the lifestyle behind and avoid becoming entangled in its political web.
4 Why Don't The Assassins Look Like Supervillains In John Wick?
The assassins in The Continental possess a distinctive appearance and demeanor, reminiscent of supervillains. Unlike the sleek, suit-clad assassins featured in the John Wick films, these individuals, such as The Twins and the machete-wielding assassin with a skeleton face mask and wrist cuffs, exude an aura that aligns more with comic book villains. There is a particular scene where Winston provides the Bowery suits to enable the operatives to infiltrate the hotel; however, they still stand out from the rest, resembling characters from a graphic novel as they frantically maneuver through the corridors. It is conceivable that a more cohesive aesthetic was eventually established over time, possibly thanks to Winston's influence on shaping the ideology of "the suit maketh the man."
3 When Was The Rule "No Violence On Continental Grounds" Established?
Violence is a constant occurrence within the grounds of Continental in the John Wick prequel. The only indicator of a problem is a red light and a voice announcing, "Incident on Continental Grounds." Despite Winston stepping off the stoop to legally confront The Adjudicator, it holds little significance in light of the chaos that unfolded inside. The John Wick films have established the Continental chain as a secure sanctuary, to the extent that John's violation of its rules sparks an international incident. However, the rules in The Continental show are ambiguously defined.
2 What Happened To Nihilus?
1 What Happened To The Other Operators In The John Wick Movies?
Frankie informed Winston of his role as the perpetrator behind the theft of the coin press, acting on behalf of Nihilus/The Nile. However, no further mentions or elaborations are made about this enigmatic organization. It is plausible that this clandestine group bears resemblance to the Ruska Roma or shares some form of connection, although these possibilities are left unexplored. The John Wick films introduce various assassin clans, some boasting intriguing names, while others amalgamate ethnic factions. Alternatively, it is conceivable that Frankie fabricated his account, although such a revelation could potentially gain significance in The Continental 2.
While Lemmy encounters only one operator at The Continental, the John Wick films depict numerous operators handling assassination contracts. This highlights the significant growth in the field of assassinations over the years, leading to an extensive recruitment drive. However, the series fails to showcase the scale and international recognition of the High Table, which makes The Continental: From the World of John Wick appear comparatively smaller and self-contained in relation to the John Wick films.