Directors of John Wick TV spin-offs defend controversial Mel Gibson casting: ‘He was the best man for the job’
The Continental: from the world of John Wick‘Mel Gibson’s directors have attempted to justify the controversial casting of Mel Gibson in the spin-off show.
Speaking exclusively to TechRadar, Albert Hughes and Charlotte Brändström defended the actor’s casting in the prequel series, which was heavily criticized when his involvement was announced in October 2021.
Gibson has been embroiled in multiple controversies over the years, with the actor-director accused of making anti-Semitic, racist, misogynistic and homophobic comments at various points in his career.
These problematic episodes, and the fierce reaction they provoked, resulted in Shane Black – who directed Gibson in the critically acclaimed action film Lethal weapon – saying in 2016 that Gibson was “blacklisted in the industry” because “people don’t want to work with him” (according to Business insider).
Despite Black’s claim, Gibson has continued to find work in the entertainment industry. The 67-year-old has appeared in films, among other things The Expendables 3 And Father Stuand also directed Oscar-nominated films such as 2016 Hacksaw Ridge. In the meantime, The Continental – the first spin-off set in Lionsgate’s beloved John Wick universe – marks his first foray into TV since 2004/05 Complete savages.
However, Gibson is still seen by many as a divisive figure, and his upcoming appearance in the Prime Video and Peacock miniseries has ruffled feathers and left a cloud over the production. However, Hughes and Brändström have defended Gibson’s involvement The Continental‘s brutal and menacing hotel manager Cormac. Indeed, the pair say Gibson was hired for his acting skills, adding that they hoped fans would give him the benefit of the doubt when the historical action-drama show is released.
“We hired him because we thought he was the best person for the job,” says Hughes, who was also an executive producer The Continental. “This show is bigger than any one character or actor. I can’t talk about its personal stuff, but I hope audiences give it a chance. We have an amazing, multicultural ensemble cast. We have seven to ten powerful female characters from different nationalities. Many of them are new to this game, so it was a fantastic opportunity for them. But they have also worked very hard to make this what it is.”
“We wanted someone who could approach Cormac as a very serious and powerful individual,” Brändström added. “Mel is a great actor and director so he has a lot of experience and I think that’s why he was chosen. All I can say is he was very generous and helpful to work with. Sometimes you’re shooting with actors and they disappear into the filming, so you have to look for them when it’s their turn to film scenes. But Mel was very professional. He knows the job, he knows how to direct, so he knows what is expected of him.”
The Continental: from the world of John Wick is the first of two confirmed spin-off projects set to release in June 2024. The second, called a spin-off film Ballerinastarring Ana de Armas, and set between John Wick Chapter 3 – Parabellum And John Wick Chapter 4. A fifth film in the mainline film series is also believed to be in the early stages, although it’s unclear whether Keanu Reeves will return as the titular assassin.
The Continental: from the world of John Wick‘s first episode launches on Friday, September 22 on Peacock in the US and Prime Video internationally. Episodes 2 and 3 will follow on September 29 and October 6.