The world of John Wick gets its much anticipated expansion this week with the premiere of The Continental on Peacock. The series is centered around the fascinating hotel and neutral ground for assassins, and takes places prior to the events of the films.
In advance of the highly anticipated series, Senior Writer Elijah Johnson had the opportunity to speak with Albert Hughes, who directed the first and third parts of the series and also serves as Executive Producer.
Hughes, who along with his brother Allen, directed films like Menace II Society, Dead Presidents and Book of Eli, shared that he strangely didn’t feel any pressure telling a story in the beloved John Wick universe. “I think I’m missing a chromosome because I just didn’t feel any pressure or any of that at the time, and I’m glad that I didn’t because I had the time of my life doing it,” Hughes said.
Hughes said that he had the creative freedom to put his own style on the series. He shared that he spoke with John Wick director Chad Stahelski, who shared his own inspirations for the films and encouraged Hughes to tap into his personal favorites. “The hard and fast rule is, don’t bore the audience,” Hughes said with a smile.
Watch our full conversation with Hughes below. The Continental: From the World of John Wick premieres September 22nd on Peacock.
Editor’s Note: This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist. To support the WGA and SAG-AFTRA, donate to the Entertainment Community Fund.
ABOUT THE CONTINENTAL: FROM THE WORLD OF JOHN WICK
The three-part event will explore the origin behind the iconic hotel-for-assassins centerpiece of the John Wick universe through the eyes and actions of a young Winston Scott, as he’s dragged into the Hell-scape of 1970’s New York City to face a past he thought he’d left behind. Winston charts a deadly course through the hotel’s mysterious underworld in a harrowing attempt to seize the hotel where he will eventually take his future throne.
Ron is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of POC Culture. He is a big believer in the power and impact of pop culture and the importance of representation in media.
