Was there ever the concept of lesser-than-usual violence in the John Wick universe?  That question will be answered in The Continental, a Peacock original set in 1970s New York City. The three-part prequel investigates the origins of its namesake, a hotel for assassins that functioned as the franchise’s core hub. This period of The Continental appears to be more exciting and deadly than the one we’ve come to know.

Keanu Reeves

The two most prominent residents of The Continental in the flicks are Ian McShane‘s Winston and the late Lance Reddick‘s Charon; now, Peacock has published first-look photographs of the younger versions of those two hoteliers, played by Colin Woodell and Ayomide Adegun, respectively.

Read more: John Wick Prequel Series ‘The Continental’ Set to Break Records on Peacock After Starz Turned it Down

The Man(ager), the myth, the legend.

The Continental: From the World of John Wick is a three-part prequel that uncovers the origins of the hotel-for-assassins made famous in the violent and brutally excellent film trilogy.

Ian McShane in John Wick 4

Previously released teasers place the series in 1970s New York City, which is in the middle of a crisis due to a sanitation strike and the existence of organized crime. During this period, not only assassins but also mafia members are frequent visitors to the hotel, following the same norms of using gold coins and only doing “business” until their victim leaves the hotel grounds or becomes excommunicado. Winston will take over the hotel with the help of Charon and a few other aides while dealing with a ghost from his past. According to the premise, young Winston Scott is pulled into the grim ganglands of the city only to come face to face with a history he believed to have left behind. Winston finds his way through the uncharted territory in the hotel’s underworldly network in an attempt to obtain the hotel, which turns out to be the foundation for the future kingpin.

Lance Reddick and Keanu Reeves in John Wick

The following is an excerpt from the show’s producer, Basil Iwanyk:

“The four Wick films take place over a three-month span. John is either chasing, or being chased. There has been no time to take a breath, to allow the audience to dig deeper into the world and its denizens. In our show, The Continental, we finally have space to explore these characters, how they became who they are, and how The Continental became the epicenter of this world.”

“Combine that with introducing new characters that are as compelling as any in the John Wick universe. Action that’s crazy cool and inventive. Easter eggs that will excite the hardcore Wick fans. And what I love the most: a vision of ’70s New York that embodies the 𝓈ℯ𝓍iness, edginess, and visceral style that the franchise is known for. This show will look/sound/smell cooler than any show out there.”

The only question, is if Keanu Reeves‘ absence will affect the show. Guess we’ll find out.

Ian McShane

Read more: Keanu Reeves Got Emotional After Realising He Would Have to Retire From John Wick Franchise: “You could feel yourself getting choked up”

The star-studded cast

The three-part vent will be directed by Albert Hughes (The Book of Eli), and newcomer Ayomide Adegun will play Charon, a role formerly played by the late Lance Reddick in the John Wick franchise. Mishel Prada (KD), Ben Robson (Frankie), Hubert Point-Du Jour (Miles), Nhung Kate (Yen), Jessica Allain (Lou), Jeremy Bobb (Mayhew), Peter Greene (Uncle Charlie), and Mel Gibson as Cormac complete out the cast.

Mel Gibson

Hughes also acts as an executive producer alongside Greg Coolidge, Kirk Ward, and Shawn Simmons, who also authored and produced the prequel, while the much anticipated forthcoming spin-off Ballerina, featuring Ana de Armas as a female assassin, looks to the future.

Or, at the very least, a future for the franchise.

Read more: “It’s not a black and white issue”: Mel Gibson Will Get Kicked Out From Keanu Reeves’ $1Billion ‘John Wick’ Franchise? ‘The Continental’ Producer Breaks Silence

Source: Collider