Prior to 2023, the John Wick franchise expanded beyond its core film series through various media, including video games and a tie-in comic book series from Dynamite Entertainment. However, last year marked its debut in television with the three-episode limited series, The Continental, available to Peacock subscribers. This series delved into the origins of Winston Scott during the 1970s, with Colin Woodell portraying the younger Winston. Despite his role as the older Winston in the John Wick movies, Ian McShane expressed no interest in watching The Continental, dismissing it as a mere “cash grab” during an interview with MovieWeb while promoting his new movie American Star.
McShane, a pivotal figure in the John Wick film series as the owner of the New York branch of The Continental hotel until John Wick: Chapter 4, criticized the tie-in project for its lack of consultation with the original cast and crew. He revealed that neither he, Keanu Reeves, nor director Chad Stahelski had seen The Continental. Unlike the main John Wick saga, which received critical acclaim, The Continental received mixed reviews, with a 63% Tomatometer on Rotten Tomatoes and a 78% Audience Score. It was well understood that he had no interest in watching it, given McShane’s reservations about the production and the absence of plans for a second season.
While The Continental may have concluded, and the future of John Wick: Chapter 5 uncertain, the franchise continues to explore new avenues, including the upcoming release of Ballerina in July 2024. McShane is involved in Ballerina alongside Keanu Reeves and the late Lance Reddick. Additionally, there are discussions about further projects for the franchise, such as another live-action TV show and an anime-style series. As fans await updates on these developments, they can explore the 2024 TV schedule to discover new and returning shows for the year.