The Continental director Charlotte Brandstrom: I’m a big fan of the John Wick movies; and to be a part of that franchise was a big honour – Exclusive | English Movie News
On the helm of certainly one of these thrilling episodes is director Charlotte Brändström, a seasoned filmmaker with a real ardour for the “John Wick” universe. In an unique interview with ETimes, the director with sequence like ‘The Lord Of The Rings: Rings of Energy‘ and ‘The Witcher’ to her credit score, takes us on a journey by ‘The Continental’, sharing her private insights into this action-packed world and the attract of bringing its prequel to life. Excerpts:
Director, allow us to start by telling us what it is like calling the pictures on this planet of mafias and assassins.
It’s totally, very thrilling as a result of I am a giant fan of these worlds. I discover it very thrilling to observe them. And as all the time, once you’re a director, you truly can direct stuff that you just would love to observe your self. And I am truly a giant, huge fan of the John Wick films and the scope and the cinematic and the fashion and the motion of it. So to have the ability to be part of that franchise not directly was a giant honour, truly.
John Wick has an enormous fan base and a cinematic universe, what do you assume clicked with these followers all over the world?
I feel it is the truth that it is cinematic, it has the scope, it has nice characters. I imply, clearly, Keanu Reeves, who wouldn’t click on with Keanu Reeves, proper? As a result of he is additionally weak, he is grounded, you consider in him, you consider in that character. So it is only a incredible franchise to be a part of. I feel from the very first John Wick film, it is about revenge and about these canines that get killed, you are form of rooting for him. And so they have been in a position to not solely do one thing very spectacular, very cinematic, however they’re additionally in a position to create characters that we truly root for and are desirous about.
I additionally assume what’s enjoyable in regards to the John Wick world and The Continental is that every one the feminine characters are all badass, robust ladies, and I like that.
What had been you most excited to discover in this origins story?
I feel it was what was the setting. After I heard of it for the primary time, and already being a giant fan of John Wick, the truth that it was set in New York within the 70s’ was unimaginable.
It is only a harmful aspect of New York, and clearly, the music helped rather a lot. It gave a particular fashion and look, which I believed was very thrilling.
Episode two is definitely the place this sequence will get its roots. What was it like being entrusted with the guts of this sequence?
That was an honour and it was very thrilling and I simply beloved it. I began off with Drew Bolton and I had an unimaginable group. I used to be additionally in a position to discuss rather a lot with the 2 showrunners. There was Greg Coolidge and Kirk Ward who had truly developed it for a few years. I really like directing actors and I really like character research, so it was loads of enjoyable to have the ability to have that in the course of this huge franchise.
Did you obtain any inputs from the John Wick makers or did you all have a free run with this restricted sequence?
Perhaps I did, however with out actually realising it. The primary enter was that I may ask inquiries to the 2 showrunners, Greg Coolidge and Kirk Ward. They had been very good, collaborative, enjoyable and really, excellent. I feel that the individual that got here from the John Wick world was Larnell Stovall, who’s the second unit director who directed loads of the motion.
The motion had a really particular fashion as a result of he additionally instructed the story typically with out phrases. He got here from the creators of John Wick. It was essential for them that he was a part of this sequence. In order that was very useful – when you must shoot quick. He was nice to have on set, very skilled and really ready. Additionally, he was stylising the motion rather a lot and even got here up with some enjoyable motion stuff that the writers rewrote the scenes afterwards to combine into the episodes.
You’ve got accomplished long-form content material and even fantasy style, and now this all-out motion. What do you like to direct?
I very very like change. Final yr I did an episode of Shogun, which is a historic Japanese challenge set within the sixteenth century. Then I did John Wick, after which I did a very enjoyable darkish comedy present referred to as The Guide for Amazon. Then I went into fantasy with Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Energy. It is a lot enjoyable to go from one factor to the opposite. I really like historic items, motion, edgy and darkish.
What I might like to direct right now can be a spy thriller, as a result of that will be one thing completely totally different or a political thriller.
Lastly, what are you able to inform us about this franchise probably transferring ahead?
I feel crucial factor sooner or later is to proceed that story. We’re fortunate as a result of this lets you develop the characters and get deeper into them. I feel crucial factor is to proceed creating an ensemble forged. I feel that is what’d be most vital for a sequence to final. We need to get unforgettable and distinctive character writing.
‘The Continental: From the World of John Wick,’ introduces a star-studded ensemble, together with the skills of Colin Woodell, Mel Gibson, Ayomide Adegun, Ben Robson, Hubert Level-Du Jour, Jessica Allain, Mishel Prada, Nhung Kate, and Peter Greene. The Prime Video present’s narrative is ingeniously portrayed by the eyes of a younger Winston Scott, who manages the enduring Continental Resort—a sanctuary for skilled assassins.
