John Wick Star Trashes The Continental Series

The show hit a low note with critics who rightfully felt that it was an unnecessary and needless chapter in the Keanu Reeves-led franchise. Now, one of the biggest stars of the films is making his opinion known. If anyone could weigh in on The Continental, it’s Ian McShane.

After all, the series centered on a younger version of his character, Winston Scott. And it’s safe to say that the film star was less-than-pleased with the production. 

Not only did the John Wick star reveal that he hasn’t watched The Continental, but he added that he has “no intentions” of doing so.

Plus, he intimated that other folks close to the film series including Keanu Reeves and director Chad Stahelski were on board with his sentiments.

Ian McShane added that the plot of the limited series “had nothing to do with our movies.”

But he believed he had a solid reason why the network funded it in the first place. Spoiler alert, McShane thinks that it all came down to a profitable cash grab.

Calling what Peacock did “cashing in on the series,” Ian McShane slammed the streaming platform for giving the films a short-form spin-off for their bank statement alone.

He also noted that the folks at the head of the project never reached out to those closest to the story of John Wick for any sort of advice or help with planning.

Somewhat gloating in the show’s not-so-welcomed response, McShane said that The Continental had “come and gone,” referencing that it didn’t leave the mark on the franchise’s name that it was expecting.

Still, McShane said, “I wish them well,” putting it all in the past.

The Continental’s failure to launch sets an important foreshadowing for what’s to come from the world of John Wick, marking what doesn’t work with audiences.

The series, which starred Colin Woodell as the young Winston Scott, told the origin story of the titular hotel for assassins. One of its biggest problems, at least from the powerful perspective of hindsight, is that it didn’t involve any of the faces now so synonymous with the movies.

It is, however, worth noting that contrary to what Ian McShane said about the series not leaning on the knowledge of those close to the world of John Wick, might not be accurate. Not only did Chad Stahelski serve as an executive producer, but so did Basil Iwanyk and David Leitch – both of whom have worked on the John Wick movies of yesteryear.

With so many beloved characters stemming from the original hub, perhaps these producers would be interested in doing more shows in the future, just with a better handle on the overarching plots and characters.

One example of how this idea of leaning into the already-established characters and plots of John Wick will likely work for the team is in Len Wiseman’s upcoming spin-off feature, Ballerina.

The movie, which hits cinemas on June 7, has already established its intriguing leading character in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, meaning that she has a foothold.

The title will also incorporate stars such as Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane, and the late Lance Reddick, all while tapping the ever-popular Ana de Armas as the titular dancer by day and assassin by night.