We live in an era of branded blockbuster filmmaking, however, franchises blooming from original ideas are rare, and it’s not a big surprise that Lionsgate wants to milk “John Wick” for what it’s worth. Thankfully, the quality has remained consistent across two films, and we’re optimistic the last entry in the trilogy will maintain that high bar. But the studio has bigger plans beyond the feature films, with a TV series in development. However, the “John Wick” TV show won’t actually be about John Wick.
“I think [Keanu Reeves] would make an appearance. I think that’s part of his thing, [But the series] isn’t centered around John Wick,” director Chad Stahelski revealed to Indiewire.
The decision might seem strange, but it’s actually kind of inspired. The concept of the show, which will be titled “The Continental,” is to explore the whole universe of the assassin world we’ve seen in slowly expanded in the films. And making the setting those special service hotels is a pretty cool way to do that.
“I like telling stories from my one character’s perspective,” Stahelski explained. “Once you put that aside with the TV show, [you can] expand to all the different characters and follow them throughout their journey. You can be with the consigliere, concierge, the sommelier — you can be with all these different characters and walk through the world in different aspects; ones that I’m a little limited [from exploring] by staying with my lead guy.”
There’s no word yet on when either “John Wick 3” or “The Continental” is coming, but it sounds like everyone is trying to get it right.
