Pulse-pounding action is the selling point for the John Wick movies, but that’s not the main thing that makes them so good. That distinction goes to the high-tech, deeply rooted mythological setting where assassins live lives of unfathomable luxury and respect. It’s a world the filmmakers behind the series would like to bring to TV.
According to Indiewire, before the second John Wick film was released, co-director Chad Stahelski and writer Derek Kolstad were working on a TV show for Lionsgate. Well, it seems that show has continued development and is currently titled The Continental, named after the series of hotels where assassins can go to restock and relax between killings. The show would follow other assassins all over the world who use the Continental’s services—and might even feature a Keanu Reeves cameo.
“They’ve got a really good structure,” Stahelski said. “It’s very tied to the film [in that] it’s about the Continentals all over the world, how certain people come into that world, and what happens in relation to those people, which is cool. I think the world is very vast, and everything I’ve heard from it is very positive.... It’s something that studio seems very, very intent on [making] and very, very behind.”
No timeline is reported for the show nor do we know who will be the main creatives involved. Stahelski said he’d like to participate as long as he can, and maybe even direct a few episodes. However, with most of his attention focused on the third film in the franchise, he doesn’t have a lot of time.
“I like telling stories from my one character’s perspective,” Stahelski said. “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.”
The John Wick movies are a lot of fun but they truly shine when you start thinking about the dense mythology: the rules, the people, the possibilities. I think a TV show based in this world would work very well, and people really wouldn’t even have to see the movies. The idea just works on its own. I hope it pans out.