The Continental executive producer Basil Iwanyk recently opened up about the creative team's concerns the John Wick prequel's period setting might alienate the franchise's fanbase.
Iwanyk reflected on decision-making process that ultimately resulted in the Peacock streaming series being set in 1970s New York in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. "It's hard to look at: OK, why does a movie or franchise work?" he said. "There's a million different ways to look at it, and you just really don't know. Of course, there's research and bullshit, but it's something in your gut. This is a prequel in the '70s that doesn’t have [John Wick star] Keanu [Reeves] and John Wick in it. Will it work?"
"It was about the franchise and the health of the franchise and what attracts people to the franchise, as [much as] it was [about] telling a great story," Iwanyk added. "We're just kind of going and going and going and there isn't that much time for self-reflection of 'Why is this working?'… We're like, 'Let’s just go forward and do things that we think are cool, and hopefully people agree.' This show was the first time where we were going out of our comfort zone. And that was invigorating and exciting, but terrifying."
The Continental Director Shares Chad Stahelski's Advice
One thing the makers of The Continental had in their favor was the blessing of Chad Stahelski, the director of all four John Wick movies. Director Albert Hughes revealed that Stahelski (who is one of The Continental's executive producers) encouraged him to take the franchise in a different direction with the prequel series, rather than simply trying to recreate the films on the small screen. Hughes presumably took this advice on board, as he's previously warned fans that The Continental will feature shorter fight scenes than the John Wick movies.
Another key change Hughes made to the established John Wick formula was the inclusion of period-appropriate "needle drops" designed to reinforce The Continental's 1970s atmosphere. Hughes went on to say that the show's soundtrack is "not just score, it's music" and teased its eclectic mix of musical acts. Performers confirmed to have tracks featured in The Continental's initial three-episode run include Santana, ZZ Top, James Brown, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, and Donna Summer.
The Continental Season 1 premieres on Peacock on Sept. 22, 2023, and will consist of three 90-minute episodes. Hughes is credited as the director of Episodes 1 and 3, while The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power's Charlotte Brändström helmed Episode 2.
Source: THR