The Continental director Albert Hughes recently shared the advice he received from Chad Stahelski on how to approach the John Wick prequel series.
Hughes, who helms The Continental's initial three-episode run along with Charlotte Brändström, revealed that Stahelski encouraged him to shake things up in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. "We did a Zoom and [Stahelski] was excited to talk and tell me [to] basically do what you need to do that inspires you," said. "I was happy he said it because I don't think I would ever want to go into any man or woman's sandbox and duplicate what they do." Stahelski serves as one of The Continental's executive producers and directed all four John Wick movies (co-directing the franchise's first installment with fellow Continental EP David Leitch).
Hughes apparently took Stahelski's advice to heart, as he's previously confirmed that The Continental is different from the John Wick franchise's big screen entries in several ways. This includes the Peacock streaming series' approach to fight scenes, which Hughes has said will be much shorter than the sustained brawls fans are used to. "I come from the school of loving Sergio Leone films where it is all about the tension and the build-up and a quick release of violence. I needed to have the happy medium," he elaborated.
The Continental Director Defends the Show's Action Scenes
Hughes attributes The Continental's relatively brief action sequences to more than just his preference for Leone's work, though. In a recent interview, the director argued that keeping the show's fisticuffs relatively brief would prevent audiences from experiencing "action fatigue." Hughes added that this resulted in "a constant creative ebb and flow" between him and The Continental's action director, Larnell Stovall, whom he described as predisposed to extended set pieces. "I would always see these stunt [visualizations] and go, 'Goddamn it Larnell!'" Hughes laughed. "It's a one-page scene and this scene's going on for six minutes that you're showing me!'"
While The Continental eschewing the protracted scuffles the John Wick franchise is famous for arguably represents a major creative risk, the creative team is nevertheless banking on fans embracing the series. Executive producers Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee are even talking up the possibility of The Continental Season 2, insisting "there's definitely more story to tell" after Season 1 wraps up.
The Continental Season 1 premieres on Peacock on Sept. 22, 2023, and will consist of three 90-minute episodes.
Source: THR