The Continental Series Will Be Prequel to John Wick Films

Fans have been anxiously waiting for details on Starz’s highly-anticipated John Wick spin-off series The Continental centering on the hotel used by all varieties of underground syndicates in the film world and they’re going to have be patient a little longer. COO Jeffrey Hirsch did reveal a few new updates to The Wrap at the Television Critics Association.

One such detail is that the series will be set “way earlier” in the history of the film series, with a fresh look being given to the hotel and showing how it would eventually come to be in the John Wick films, while also stating that given Chapter 4‘s release is slated for a 2021 release, the spin-off would most likely not premiere until after said release. Despite early teasings at star Keanu Reeves making at the minimum a cameo appearance in the series, Hirsch is now staying quiet on the subject and holding his cards close to his chest.

Acclaimed writer/producer Chris Collins (Sons of Anarchy, The Wire, and The Man in the High Castle) will write the series and serve as showrunner. The show will be executive produced by a world-class creative team led by Thunder Road Pictures’ Basil Iwanyk (the John Wick film franchise, The Town, Sicario), Chad Stahelski (John Wick co-director and John Wick: Chapter 2 director), John Wick franchise screenwriter Derek Kolstad, along with Collins, David Leitch (John Wick co-director, Deadpool 2) and Keanu Reeves. Stahelski will direct the premiere episode.

Collins expands the universe in the series by focusing on the Continental Hotel and those who find refuge under its roof. Set in a hyper-real version of Los Angeles, the series maintains the urgency of the action along with the dry humor from the John Wick movies. Drawing upon the collaborative efforts of Lionsgate’s film, television and Starz platforms, The Continental continues the growth of a franchise that has already generated three hit films that have grossed over $575 million at the worldwide box office and a successful virtual reality mobile game.

“This series is truly unlike anything else on TV,” Albrecht previously said. “’The Continental’ promises to include the thunderous fight sequences and intensely staged shootouts between professional assassins and their targets that fans have come to expect in the John Wick movie franchise as well as introducing some new, darkly compelling characters who inhabit this underground world.”

Senior Vice President of Original Programming Karen Bailey is the Starz executive in charge of The Continental.

Starz retains all domestic multiplatform pay TV and SVOD rights to the series. Lionsgate retains all international and domestic distribution and home entertainment rights.