Everyone loves a ruthless TV villain. From Cersei Lannister to J.R. Ewing to Mr. Burns, great villains come in all kinds of ways on our television schedule. They may be cold and calculating, or they may be impulsive and crazy, but a great villain always makes for a much better show. This is a list of just a few of my favorite and most ruthless villains in TV history. Enjoy! If you don't, they may come for you.

J.R. Ewing (Dallas)

J.R. Ewing (Larry Hagman) was a villain who was so cunning and so ruthless that when he was shot on the Season 3 finale of Dallas, literally all of America waited months to find out who shot him. It wasn't just one of the best cliffhangers ever; it was a cultural moment that I don't think will ever be matched.

Livia Soprano (The Sopranos)

When you're a mob boss and your worst enemy is your mother, you know you're in a bad spot. Livia Soprano, Tony's domineering and, frankly, nasty, mother, played by the late Nancy Marchand, was a brilliant antagonist for the powerful boss of the family. She was so underhanded and so unhinged at times, you never knew just what she was capable of or if there was any good in her at all. It would have been amazing to see where her character went, had we not tragically lost Marchand during the show's run.

Kilgrave (Jessica Jones)

Kilgrave, played by David Tennant in Jessica Jones, just might be my favorite comic book villain in the modern era. The fact that his ability to change the reality you understand in your own head is diabolical and terrifying. Tennant's performance is flat-out amazing.

Gus Fring (Breaking Bad)

Giancarlo Esposito's performance as Gus Fring, the mortal enemy of Walter White (Bryan Cranston) in Breaking Bad, is simply terrifying. He's calm and cold while exacting terrible violence. He's ruthless in his pursuit to control the game, and he's completely without remorse. It's the perfect combination to make an amazing villain.

Nina Myers (24)

There is nothing more ruthless than turning on your co-worker and country, like Nina Myers (Sarah Clarke) did in Season 1 of 24. It was a moment that completely blew viewers' minds, who never could have predicted that Jack Bauer's right-hand woman would end up the villain.

Negan (The Walking Dead)

I'll make a confession here: Negan (Jefferey Dean Morgan) was too much for me. I started to tune out of The Walking Dead right about the time he entered. He was just too violent and too mean for me to keep going. The Walking Dead had a number of great villains, but for me, he's the king of the worst.

The Trinity Killer (Dexter)

The only person to actually match wits with Dexter on the show of the same name was, of course, Arthur Mitchell, aka The Trinity Killer, played by the brilliant John Lithgow. He was an unbelievable foe for everyone's favorite anti-hero/serial killer and a big reason the show was as successful as it was over the years.

Aunt Lydia (The Handmaid's Tale)

The Handmaid's Tale is one of the hardest shows to watch, ever. There is just so much evil throughout virtually every moment of the show. That evil is personified by Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd), the "aunt" who is "caring" for June Osborne/Offred and her fellow handmaids. It's impossible to sum up just how evil she is.

Moriarty (Sherlock)

One of the greatest villains in Western literature is Moriarty from the Sherlock Holmes books. On the show Sherlock, Moriarty is portrayed perfectly in a modernized way by Andrew Scott. He is a master criminal, sure, but really, he just wants to torment our hero, Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch)

Mr. Burns (The Simpsons)

Any villain who once tried to block out the sun to drive up profits for his company belongs on this list. Mr. Burns' attempt to shroud Springfield in darkness on The Simpsons led to dozens of suspects after he was shot. Of course, it was actually CM Burms' attempt to steal candy from a baby that actually got him shot. It's a toss-up as to which is worse.

Homelander (The Boys)

One of the most disturbing villains you can watch with a Prime subscription has to be Homelander from The Boys. He finally answers the question: "What if Superman were evil?" Luckily, he's as funny as he is scary, which makes him as watchable as any other baddie on this list.

Cersei Lannister (Game Of Thrones)

One show that gave us all multiple villains that could be on this is Game of Thrones. Perhaps the most coniving, most ruthless, and most disturbing of them all was Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey). She made it (almost) to the bitter end of the show after setting herself up as the villain very early on. She wasn't alone, but she was the most dangerous in the game.

Vern Schillinger (Oz)

Vern Schillinger (J.K. Simmons) is the personification of evil on Oz. The racist prisoner was ruthless, but he was also weak in a lot of ways, making him even more dangerous.

Al Swearengen (Deadwood)

There are no villains on this list with the verbal panache of Al Swearengen on Deadwood. Ian McShane's performance, delivering those amazing lines like only he could, made Swearengen a fan favorite, despite just how awful he could be. Just hope he doesn't turn that silver tongue on you, or you might get fed to the pigs next.

Ben Linus (Lost)

This first season on Lost saw the castaways mostly fighting among themselves. There was no real "villain" until the 14th episode of the show's second season. That is when Henry Gale is captured by Rousseau. Soon, we would all learn his real name, Ben Linus, and his real motive, and they weren't benevolent. Actor Michael Emerson played the role perfectly.

Wilson Fisk (Daredevil)

Matching his brains with tremendous brawn, Kingpin (Vincent D'Onofrio) has everything he needs to be one of the most powerful baddies on this list. In both the original Daredevil, which streamed on Netflix before moving to Disney+, and Daredevil: Reborn, Kingpin is as formidable as any villain ever. It doesn't hurt to have the talented D'Onofrio playing the supervillain, one of Marvel's best.

Alexis Carrington (Dynasty)

What J.R. Ewing did for Dallas, Alexis Carrington (Joan Collins) did for Dynasty. The show was a direct response to Dallas, and it had the same vibe, and Alexis was just as conniving and ruthless as J.R.

Skeletor (He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe)

This one is personal. When I was a kid, I was actually a little scared of Skeletor in the original He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe cartoon. He's been the central villain throughout all of the various versions of the franchise. He was thwarted most of the time, but he never stopped coming at He-Man and his cohorts.

Hannibal Lecter (Hannibal)

One of the most ruthless and terrifying villains on TV and on the silver screen has to be Hannibal Lecter. The cannibal psychiatrist was played by Mads Mikkelsen on the show Hannibal, after Sir Anthony Hopkins won an Oscar playing the role in The Silence Of The Lambs. Whomever plays him, he's pure evil.

Marlo Stanfield (The Wire)

One of the things that makes The Wire such an amazing show, one of the best shows ever in the peak era of television, was that there were very few pure villains. Every character, cop or criminal, was presented in shades of gray. Some good, some bad. One character that was pretty much all bad, however, was Marlo Stanfield (Jamie Hector). His takeover of the drug trade in Baltimore was as ruthless a takeover as you could imagine. He was cold and calculating, but he wasn't afraid to be as violent as he could.

Sue Sylvester (Glee)

Sue Sylvester might not be the most violent or the most criminal villain on this list, but that doesn't mean that she is any less ruthless in the pursuit of her goals than anyone else on this list. The great Jane Lynch was born to play the role, too. She was not only ruthless, she was hilarious. The perfect example of a character we all love to hate, and that's a complete compliment to the great Ms. Lynch.

Damon Pope (Sons Of Anarchy)

It wasn't often that SAMCRO ran up against a foe that they couldn't take out pretty easily in Sons of Anarchy. Damon Pope, played by Harold Perrineau, was one exception to that rule. Pope was the main antagonist in Season 5 of the show, and he was responsible for one of the most brutal deaths in SOA history when he arranged Opie's death in front of his brothers. I still get sick to my stomach just thinking about it.

Joffery Baratheon (Game Of Thrones)

In a show full of villains, Joffrey Baratheon was the most unpredictable and the most ruthlessly violent. He was a terrible sadist, as shown over and over, and he had absolutely no morals. He is among the most hated TV villains of all time.

Thomas Barrow (Downton Abbey)

Downton Abbey isn't a show that jumps out as having any ruthless villains, but Thomas Barrow (Rob James-Collier) definitely fits the bill here. He's conniving, sniveling, and awful. Sometimes his motives don't even seem reasonable, but that doesn't stop him from trying to undermine his perceived enemies.

Ralph Cifaretto (The Sopranos)

The Sopranos never really found a villain quite as evil as Livia Soprano, but when Ralph Cifaretto (Joe Pantoliano) returns from Miami in Season 3, we did get a formidable foe to Tony. He was rash and violent, but he also always found a way to justify his questionable decisions, even when they went against Tony's orders.

Amanda Woodward (Melrose Place)

As a spinoff of Beverly Hills, 90210, Melrose Place was decidedly more "adult," not just in the age of the characters, but in the way those characters acted and were treated. 90210 didn't really have villains, but Melrose had Amanda Woodward, played by the wonderful Heather Locklear. While she did garner some sympathy as the seasons rolled on, in the beginning, she was 100% villain.

Newman (Seinfeld)

There aren't a whole lot of villains in sitcoms, at least, not any as devious as Jerry's neighbor Newman (Wayne Knight). He was buddies with Kramer, but a sworn enemy of Jerry's, and it made every single interaction between the two characters hilarious. The disdain they had for each other was palpable every time they met. Newman and Jerry got along.

Sideshow Bob (The Simpsons)

While Mr. Burns is a villain to everyone in Springfield (even Smithers most of the time), Sideshow Bob (voiced by Kelsey Grammer) is a villain to just one poor kid in town, Bart Simpson. Over the years, the Bond Villain-like Bob has come up with all kinds of schemes to take out who he thinks is his nemesis, but he is thwarted each time. It's made for some of the best episodes of The Simpsons.

Sylar (Heroes)

Sylar (Zachary Quinto) was not only ruthless on Heroes, but he was insanely powerful, and that made him one of the scariest villains on this whole list. Zachary Quinto played the role masterfully,

The Governor (The Walking Dead)

Of all the villains in The Walking Dead, The Governor, played by David Morrissey in Seasons 3 and 4, is one of the most menacing. Maybe it's the eye patch, but there was always something very unsettling about him, even when he wasn't being totally awful (which was rare). The villains got more violent as the show went on, but they didn't get any scarier than The Governor.

Villanelle (Killing Eve)

Villanelle's cat-and-mouse game with Eve (Sandra Oh) is what makes the show so great. Jodie Comer, who plays Villanelle, and Sandra Oh have great on-screen chemistry, which is often underrated when it comes to great villains on TV. Sometimes, the back-and-forth is what makes the adversaries great.

Rowan Pope (Scandal)

It's always bad when your most ruthless enemy is part of your family. For Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington), her father, Rowan Pope (Joe Morton), was the one enemy who knew how to really twist the knife in the normally unflappable Olivia.

There's an unwritten rule in movies that no character is dead until you full-on see a corpse... and that makes readings of John Wick: Chapter 4's ending complicated. The film's conclusion sees Keanu Reeves' titular protagonist seated and slumping while riddled with bullets and his friends visiting a gravestone with his name, but we never actually see the Baba Yaga's lifeless body. Fans have had debates on the subject, with complexity added by Lionsgate's announcement earlier this year of three new franchise films – but if you ask Ian McShane a.k.a. Winston Scott, John is definitely alive, and there are breadcrumbs leading to questions we should all be asking.

CinemaBlend's Hannah Saulic sat down with the John Wick franchise actor during the recent press day for the new spinoff Ballerina, and one of the questions she asked concerned Winston's relationship with John after Chapter 4. If it turns out the famed assassin is alive, will the legendary manager of The Continental be upset that his friend faked his death? Per McShane, the answer is no, and he explained why:

Although audiences have spent four movies witnessing the complicated relationship between John Wick and Winston Scott (including the latter shooting the former off of a roof in Chapter 3), it is worth noting that we don't really know anything about their shared origin. They obviously run in the same circles and have known each other professionally for years, but what is it that first brought them together and made them close? Ian McShane suggests that Winston's use of Russian at John Wick's grave and the tattoo on his hand is meant to be indicative of a bigger story.

Ian McShane continued saying that the open-ended aspects of the John Wick franchise is part of why he appreciates everything that has been built from the world (with the exception of the streaming series The Continental, which he refuses to watch due to creative differences). He added,

Along with an animated prequel and a spinoff centered on Donnie Yen's Caine from John Wick: Chapter 4, a John Wick: Chapter 5 was announced by Lionsgate at CinemaCon 2025 – though director Chad Stahelski recently splashed some cold water on the idea that it was a done deal. The most important ingredient is creative interest and investment from both Stahelski and Keanu Reeves, and Ian McShane puts it in the hands of Reeves to keep the core series going.

But even if John Wick: Chapter 5 specifically doesn't become a thing, there will still be in-canon adventures like Ballerina, which stars Ana de Armas in the lead as new protagonist Eve Macarro but also features Ian McShane, Keanu Reeves, Anjelica Huston and the late great Lance Reddick. Said McShane,

No other John Wick features presently have release dates, but we'll keep you updated here on CinemaBlend about big news and developments. For now, you can check out Ballerina in theaters now – the film having done battle with the box office powerhouse that is Lilo & Stitch in its debut weekend.

There is an expansive future being planned for the John Wick franchise, with three new features set within the canon announced to be in development earlier this year, but it's sad to know that one special aspect of the movies is being left in the past: the relationship between The Continental manager Winston Scott and the hotel's concierge, Charon. Ian McShane and Lance Reddick make a terrific double act in the four John Wick films, and it's sad that we won't get to see the performers back on screen again following Reddick's passing in early 2023.

The late actor died shortly after completing the press tour for the global release of John Wick: Chapter 4, and Ian McShane – who was paired with him for many interviews – has been reflecting on their last time together during the ramp up to the arrival of Ballerina. During the 2025 movie's New York press day, CinemaBlend's Hannah Saulic asked McShane about their time together making the Ana de Armas-led film, and he recalled his last time seeing his co-star:

Ian McShane and Lance Reddick shot their scenes for Ballerina in late 2022, with the action in the film taking place between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 and John Wick: Chapter 4. It will be the last time that audiences get to see Winston Scott and Charon on screen together – the characters assisting Ana de Armas' Eve Macarro in similar fashion to how they helped Keanu Reeves titular protagonist in the John Wick films.

Since Lance Reddick's passing, audiences have been lucky enough to continue seeing him in a number of new projects – both live-action and voice over. Ballerina is arriving following the releases of the White Men Can't Jump remake, The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (director William Friedkin's final film), and the biopic Shirley. He voices Thordak in episodes of the Prime Video series The Legend of Vox Machina and is Lex Luthor in HBO Max's animated DC show Kite Man: Hell Yeah!

Featuring John Wick veterans Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane, Lance Reddick and Anjelica Huston in addition to franchise newcomers including Gabriel Byrne, Norman Reedus, David Castañeda, and Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Ballerina arrives in theaters this Friday, June 6.

Franchise building is tricky business, and the only issue isn't maintaining continuity across sequels, spinoffs, and more. A lot of different creative voices get involved, and that can mean conflict developing as the vision of one person doesn't properly line up with the vision of another. Case in point: Ian McShane has not yet watched the John Wick prequel series The Continental because he doesn't approve of how the writers approached the backstory of his character Winston Scott.

McShane explained as much during an interview with CinemaBlend's Hannah Saulic during the recent press day for the new not-a-sequel-not-a-spinoff Ballerina. The actor spoke about his collaboration with the late Lance Reddick, who delivers his final performance as Charon in the Ana de Armas-led movie, and he explained that the two of them had their own backstory in mind that explained how their characters first met and became friends. Said McShane,

I'm assuming that neither Winston Scott nor Charon lived lives as saints as young adults, but in the minds of Ian McShane and Lance Reddick, they were men who both served their country, and when their services were no longer required, they found a different way to utilize their special skill sets: they became invested in the world of professional assassins and took up positions of prominence and power at the Continental Hotel in New York.

However, this is not the story that is presented in The Continental, the prequel series that became available for Peacock subscribers in late 2023. The show suggests that Winston Scott's background is as a criminal, and that's not a take that Ian McShane agrees with. He disagrees with it so much, in fact, that he has completely dismissed it and seemingly has no plans to watch. He continued,

Seeing Winston and Charon with backgrounds in spy craft was apparently something that Ian McShane and Lance Reddick saw eye-to-eye on – though the former says that they had a very different perspective when it came to being involved in John Wick's trademark action sequences:

Audiences will get to see Ian McShane back as Winston Scott loving and not fighting this weekend as Ballerina arrives in theaters everywhere. The impressive cast includes a number of John Wick franchise veterans, including not only the aforementioned McShane and Reddick but also Keanu Reeves and Anjelica Huston. Be sure to stay tuned here on CinemaBlend in the coming days for a lot more of our coverage of the new release, including more from our interviews with the film's stars.

John Wick doesn’t come by allies easily, but Ian McShane’s Winston is one who’s been consistently in his corner since the John Wick film series began in 2014. As such, McShane has seen a lot of characters come and go from this world of assassins and other colorful criminals, most of whom departed at the lethal hands of Keanu Reeves’ protagonist. However, one above all has made Shane the angriest, and I got a kick out of his reason for why.

McShane is back as Winston for Ballerina, the first theatrical John Wick spinoff, with Ana de Arias leading as Eve Macarro. Ahead of Ballerina’s release on the 2025 movies schedule, the Deadwood alum looked back on his time in the John Wick saga with CBR and revealed that he’s still pretty pissed off at Alfie Allen’s Iosef Tarasov from the first movie. As McShane explained:

Any John Wick fan can tell you that if it hadn’t been for Iosef Tarasov, Keanu Reeves’ character would have never returned to this world of bloodshed. The son of Russian crime boss Viggo Tarasov made the stupid decision to steal John’s car and kill his new dog in the process. The latter in particular was especially egregious, as the dog was a final parting gift from John’s late wife, Helen.

As such, John wasted no time in exacting revenge of Iosef and eliminating anyone who stood in his way, including Viggo, who sealed his fate when he had John’s mentor Marcus killed. That in turn paved the way for all the trouble that unfolded in the later John Wick movies, including, in a way, Ballerina given John’s involvement in the spinoff. But most importantly of all, Ian McShane still takes issue with the slappable face of Game of Thrones’ Alfie Allen. I’m so glad he has his priorities straight. Frankly, Iosef’s arrogance just increases the level of slappability.

But hey, what’s done is done, and at least in real life, Iosef Tarasov’s idiotic actions gave us some of the best action movies. As far as Ian McShane’s Winston is concerned, Ballerina will check in on him between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 and Chapter 4, when he was still running the original version of The Continental’s New York branch with the late Lance Reddick’s Charon as his concierge. This story will see Ana de Arias’ character using the assassination skills she leaned from the Ruska Roma to seek revenge against the people who killed her father.

Ballerina opens in theaters on June 6, and de Armas, McShane, Reeves and Reddick are joined Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Norman Reedus, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Choi Soo-young, Catalina Sandino Moreno and David Castañeda. Len Wiseman directed the spinoff and Shay Hatten wrote the script.

Although Lance Reddick died at the age of 60 in March 2023, the world has gotten to spend some time with him, in a sense, thanks to various posthumous movie and TV releases. Sadly, the last of those appearances is fast approaching, with the John Wick spinoff Ballerina slated to hit theaters next summer. Ahead of Ballerina’s arrival onto the 2025 movies schedule, Ian McShane, who starred with Reddick in the spinoff and the prior four John Wick movies, reflected on working with his late co-star.

McShane addressed the Charon to his Winston Scott when he attended a 10th anniversary John Wick screening at AMC Century City in Los Angeles (via DiscussingFilm). Recalling fond memories he’s had of working on the John Wick franchise, the actor said:

Up until John Wick: Chapter 4, Winston was the manager of The Continental’s New York branch, and Charon served as its concierge. Although Lance Reddick and Ian McShane didn’t share any screen time in the first two John Wick movies, they were paired together for the following two movies. Sadly, Charon was gunned down early into Chapter 4, which came out a week after Reddick died, as one of Winston’s several punishments for failing to kill Keanu Reeves’ John Wick.

Not only were Winston and Charon close (with the origin of their friendship being shown in The Continental miniseries, which can be streamed with a Peacock subscription), Ian McShane clearly forged a great bond with Lance Reddick during their time together. A month after Reddick’s passing, McShane called his co-star a “marvelously composed, serious actor” who “brought dignity and strength and gravitas.” This double act of theirs also included when they did John Wick interviews, with McShane saying that he and Reddick “complimented each other very well.”

Thankfully, because Ballerina takes place between the third and fourth John Wick movies, we have one last opportunity to see Lance Reddick play Charon. The spinoff stars Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro, who was trained to be an assassin by the Ruska Roma and will use her lethal skills to exact revenge on the people who killed her father. According to McShane, Eve will be under Winston and Charon’s protection at the Continental during the movie. Keanu Reeves and Anjelica Huston will also reprise their respective roles in the Ballerina cast, and the lineup of other newcomers includes Gabriel Byrne, Catalonia Sandino Moreno, Norman Reedus, Sharon Duncan-Brewster and David Castañeda.

Ballerina opens in theaters on June 6, 2025. Keep visiting CinemaBlend for more news on Ballerina and the entire John Wick franchise, which now also includes an anime prequel movie on the development slate.

The future of Keanu Reeves’ John Wick character is somewhat in question. While the John Wick: Chapter 4 ending seemingly gave us a definitive conclusion for the character, there have been reports that John Wick: Chapter 5 is still a very real possibility. But John Wick as a franchise is still very much going forward, though there appear to be some problems there as well, which have resulted in the upcoming spinoff Ballerina getting pushed back by a full year.

Ian McShane (who will appear in the John Wick spinoff) recently appeared on the UK’s The One Show (via Twitter) where he explained the need to push the film off the 2024 release calendar. It seems, to put it bluntly, there’s a feeling that the movie just isn’t good enough in its current form. There’s a fear that if Ballerina doesn’t turn out well, it could damage the franchise, so they're going back to try and make things better. McShane said… 

McShane doesn’t say what it is about Ballerina that needs to be “better.” It could be an issue with the story or could be a problem with action sequences not living up to John Wick’s, admittedly high, standard, or some combination. There certainly wasn’t any previous indication that there was a problem with the movie. 

Last fall director Len Wiseman said he was editing the film and called the movie “really fun.” He did say the movie was “on pause” following editing the film into his director’s cut. It’s possible the pause was due to the studio figuring out how to move forward.

Interestingly, when one of the hosts brings up The Continental limited series, McShane shuts down the conversation, not wanting to discuss it. McShane has previously been critical of the show, which is available with a Peacock subscription. The Continental wasn’t very well-received but had the benefit of not including Keanu Reeves or other actors from the film series. One wonders if the show’s lack of success played a part in Ballerina being given extra attention. 

While it’s certainly not great news for Ballerina to see a year-long delay, most fans probably want the movie to be great too, so the fact that time and money are being spent to try and make that happen, rather than just releasing a “best possible” version of what has already been filmed, should be seen as a good thing. 

Although the John Wick franchise was able to expand beyond the core film series prior to 2023 thanks to some video games and a tie-in comic book series from Dynamite Entertainment, last year marked its entry into the television realm. Peacock subscribers were able to watch the three-episode limited series The Continental, which explored Winston Scott’s origins in the 1970s. Colin Woodell starred as Winston in the prequel, but it turns out that Ian McShane, who plays the older Winston in the John Wick movies, is not remotely interested in watching this series.

McShane slammed The Continental while promoting his new movie American Star in an interview with MovieWeb, not mincing words by calling this John Wick tie-in project a “cash grab.” He explained his feelings about it thusly:

Next to Keanu Reeves’ John Wick, Ian McShane has been the second most important character in the John Wick film series. As the owner of the New York branch of The Continental hotel up until John Wick: Chapter 4, he proved to be one of John’s closest allies, so of all the characters to score their own spinoff story, it’s not surprising he was the first to be picked. But as Ian McShane shared, neither he, Reeves nor director Chad Stahelski have watched The Continental, with the Deadwood alum specifically seeing it as just trying to cash in on the success of the John Wick movies, and being disappointed that he and his cohorts weren’t consulted for it.

Unlike the critical acclaim the main John Wick saga has earned, The Continental was met with mixed reviews from critics, boasting a 63% Tomatometer on Rotten Tomatoes and a 78% Audience Score. Between that, Ian McShane’s prior issues with the production and there not being any plans for Season 2, I don’t blame the actor for not wanting to check it out. One John Wick spinoff he doesn’t have issues with, though is Ballerina, which is slated for a July release on the 2024 movies calendar. That’s because he’s a member of Ballerina’s cast alongside Keanu Reeves and the late Lance Reddick, with the movies taking place between John Wick: Chapter 3 and Chapter 4.

Although The Continental is seemingly done for good and it’s unclear if John Wick: Chapter 5 will ever be made, more projects for the franchise beyond Ballerina are either in the works under consideration, including another live-action TV show and an anime-style series. While we wait for news on that front, read through the 2024 TV schedule to learn what new and returning shows are lined up this year.

On March 17, John Wick and The Wire actor Lance Reddick died at the age of 60. This happened just one week before the release of John Wick: Chapter 4, which saw the actor reprising the role of Charon, the concierge of The Continental’s New York branch. Reddick had been making the Chapter 4 press rounds right before his death, and had been frequently paired with Ian McShane, who plays Winston, the hotel’s manager. McShane shared a statement expressing his “total shock and disbelief” upon the news of Reddick’s passing going public, and now he’s reflected on working with his costar, calling him a “delight.”

With their characters being the two main Continental representatives in the John Wick film series, Lance Reddick and Ian McShane naturally ended up spending a fair amount of time with each other over the last decade, so the latter got to know the former pretty well. In the latest issue of Empire Magazine (via SYFY), McShane had the following to say about his time with Reddick:

Clearly McShane not only enjoyed working with Reddick on the John Wick movies, but also spending time with him off camera. McShane also shared that he learned that the actor also well known from Fringe and Bosch had died after getting a text from Keanu Reeves while he was leaving a coffee shop in Venice, California. The Deadwood alum added that it’s “bittersweet” that Reddick isn’t around to “experience the great success” of John Wick: Chapter 4 with everyone else who worked on the 2023 new movie release, and that it’s especially “difficult” watching the feature now considering its major twist concerning Charon.

On April 6, it was reported that Lance Reddick’s death certificate listed that his immediate cause of death was from Ischemic heart disease, as well as Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. However, Reddick’s attorney, James Hornstein, later issued a statement disputing these findings, saying that his late client was “the most physically fit person I’ve ever known” and that “the death certificate information is not corroborated and is inconsistent with the facts known to the family.” There’s been no update on these conflicting claims since then, but the day after Reddick died, his wife, Stephanie, expressed her gratitude for the love and support shared with her during this difficult time.

Although Reddick is no longer with us, we will be seeing him a few more times onscreen posthumously. For one thing, next year he’ll be seen as Charon one last time in the Ana de Armas-led Ballerina, a spinoff taking place between the events of the third and fourth John Wick movies. He’ll be seen next month in the White Men Can’t Jump remake (which Hulu subscribers will be able to view), and his other final movies include Shirley and The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial. Additionally, he’ll star as Zeus in the Disney+ series Percy Jackson and the Olympians, which is expected to premiere sometime next year.

As for Ian McShane, he too will be reprising Winston as part of the cast assembled for Ballerina. Should you like to revisit the first three John Wick movies as Chapter 4 continues its theatrical run, they can be streamed with a Peacock subscription. That platform will also be home to The Continental miniseries, which dropped its first trailer earlier this week and show how a young Winston, played by Colin Woodell, ended up taking control of the hotel.

"John Wick: Chapter 4" stars Keanu Reeves (John Wick), Laurence Fishburne (Bowery King), Lance Reddick (Charon), Ian McShane (Winston), Hiroyuki Sanada (Shimazu), Shamier Anderson (Tracker) and director Chad Stahelski discuss the latest "John Wick" film in this interview with CinemaBlend's Asst. Managing Editor Eric Eisenberg. Topics include the most intense "John Wick 4" stunts, Ana De Armas in the upcoming "John Wick" spinoff “Ballerina,” and even how Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt would stand up against John Wick. Plus, we tried to get something about "Constantine 2" out of Keanu Reeves.

Video Chapters

00:00 - Intro
00:28 - Keanu Reeves and Chad Stahelski Discuss The Wild Stair Sequence
01:30 - Ian McShane/Lance Reddick Hilariously Imagine Their Character’s Lives Outside The Continental
02:20 - Bowery King’s Backstory According to Laurence Fishburne
03:25 - Tracker And Shimazu’s Backstories According To Shamier Anderson And Hiroyuki Sanada
05:15 - The John Wick Movies Have a Special Way of Celebrating Stuntmen Who Get ‘Killed’ by Keanu Reeves
06:05 - Why Keanu Reeves Loves Training For ‘John Wick’
07:05 - John Wick vs. Ethan Hunt: Keanu Reeves Has The Most Keanu Reeves Response (And Gushes About Tom Cruise)
08:20 - Lance Reddick/Ian Mcshane on Working with Ana De Armas in ‘Ballerina’
09:05 - Chad Stahelski Dishes on the ‘John Wick’ Spinoff, ‘Ballerina’
10:15 - Laurence Fishburne On Potentially Returning For ‘Ballerina’
11:15 - Hiroyuki Sanada on Working with Fellow Kung-Fu Legend Donnie Yen
12:00 - Did Winston Try to Kill John Wick In 'Chapter 3?' Ian McShane/Lance Reddick Respond
13:00 - Keanu Reeves on Potentially Going Blond for 'Constantine 2'

The world of John Wick is expanding. While fans are presently awaiting the release of John Wick: Chapter 4 this Friday, we are also getting ready for the release of Ballerina – a spinoff starring the Oscar-nominated talents of Ana de Armas. Having recently completed filming, the movie is now in post-production, and while there is still quite a lot about it that we don’t know, we do know that it will feature Lance Reddick and Ian McShane in supporting roles, and both actors recently spoke about their time working with the film’s star.

Two weeks prior to the horrible news from this past Friday about Lance Reddick’s death, I had the chance to interview him and co-star Ian McShane at the John Wick: Chapter 4 junket. In addition to discussing the motivations of their characters, Charon and Winston, at the end of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, the actors also talked about their time on the set of Ballerina. I asked specifically about their experience with Ana de Armas, and McShane began,

For those who don’t recall, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum features a sequence at a ballet school where Keanu Reeves’ titular protagonist meets with The Director (Anjelica Huston). In one of the scenes with the two characters, The Director is instructing a ballerina played by Unity Phelan, and it’s she who will be the protagonist in Ballerina (recast with Ana de Armas in the role). Her name is Rooney, and she is not only a dancer, but an assassin-in-training – which shouldn’t be too surprising in the context of the franchise.

The character’s work as a hired killer presumably leads her to go to the New York Continental at some point in the new film, as that that would be the logical way that she encounters both Charon and Winston.

Ballerina will feature one of the last performances by Lance Reddick, and while it doesn’t sound like he will have too much screen time in the film, he was nonetheless impressed by what he saw from Ana de Armas. Said Reddick,

In addition to Lance Reddick and Ian McShane, Ballerina will also feature an appearance from Keanu Reeves – and it will mark the third time that Reeves has worked with Ana de Armas after 2015’s Knock Knock and 2016’s Exposed.  Shay Hatten, the co-writer of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4, has penned the screenplay, and Len Wiseman is directing.

Lionsgate is set to distribute Ballerina, but the studio has not yet announced a release date for the film. Of course, the wait for that movie is made easier by the fact that we are about to see the theatrical arrival of John Wick: Chapter 4, which has earned rave reviews in recent weeks following press screenings and a surprise showing at the 2023 SWSW Film Festival.

Stay tuned for more from my interviews with the stars and director of the new sequel, and check out our 2023 Movie Release Calendar to learn about all of the big films set to be released in theaters and on streaming in the coming months.

As we’ve seen over the course of three movies, Keanu Reeves’ John Wick has a lot of friends – but at the end of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, one of his most powerful allies seems to betray him. Threatened by Asia Kate Dillon’s The Adjudicator to have The Continental stripped away from him, Ian McShane’s Winston makes the decision to personally try and execute the film’s titular hero. Fortunately, John survives the assassination attempt, his story continuing in John Wick: Chapter 4, but a question is raised: did Winston know that his friend would survive, or was he purely acting out of self-interest?

Curious about this, I brought the query to the source. This past weekend, I had the chance to interview both Ian McShane and Lance Reddick at the John Wick: Chapter 4 Los Angeles press day, and my very first question was about the end of Parabellum. Not really doing much to hide his after-the-fact bias, McShane said,

Ian McShane, of course, is alluding to the fact that Winton’s attempt at killing John Wick isn’t just about taking a single shot at the legendary assassin’s head. Instead, the manager of the Continental gets off five shots at John, causing him to tumult over the edge of the hotel’s roof. He hits a slanted roof, a fire escape, and an awning before he hits the concrete below… but evidently Winston knew all along that John could live through it.

If you feel a bit skeptical about that idea, you’re not alone. Lance Reddick, who plays Winston’s trusted concierge Charon, didn’t seem to wholly buy this perspective on events:

Lance Reddick: It's the bouncing on the way down and the landing that I had to question about, but...
Ian McShane: Well, we looked over together, man.

If Winston is guilty of actively trying to kill John Wick, Charon’s hands aren’t totally clean. After the big fall, he only has three words for his boss: “Well played, sir.”

During the interview, I pointed at Charon’s acceptance of events in the moment, and Lance Riddick explained that internally the character is shocked by what has transpired, but he also knows that you can’t unscramble an egg. In his words:

As for the fallout of the situation… you’ll just have to wait a few more weeks to find out. Featuring a stellar cast that includes Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane, Lance Reddick, Laurence Fishburne, Rina Sawayama, Donnie Yen, Shamier Anderson, Bill Skarsgård, and Scott Adkins, John Wick: Chapter 4 will be heading to theaters on June 24. The nearly three-hour long epic has been earning positive reactions from early screenings, so feel free to start getting hyped now.

To learn about all of the films heading to theaters and streaming in the weeks and months ahead, head over to our 2023 Movie Release Calendar.

It’s been nearly four years since John Wick fans have seen the Keanu Reeves' most popular hitman character kicking ass on our screens, but the wait is nearly up. After multiple delays, John Wick: Chapter 4 is finally set to hit theaters at the end of the month, and while Chad Stahelski is returning to direct, co-writers Shay Hatten and Michael Finch will bring new energy to John Wick’s fight against the villainous High Table. The fourth installment of one of the best action movie franchises has screened, and audiences are hitting up social media with their first reactions.

The trailer for John Wick: Chapter 4 promises a high body count, as the titular character looks for a way to destroy the High Table for good. Indie singer Rina Sawayama is among the new John Wick 4 cast members in the role of Akira, with Bill Skarsgård also making his franchise debut. Laurence Fishburne, Ian McShane and Lance Reddick reprise their roles from previous installments. Let’s see what people are saying about the movie, starting with CinemaBlend’s Eric Eisenberg, who tweets that the longest John Wick movie yet earns its runtime: 

Critic John Nguyen also mentions Donnie Yen, as he notes that this fourth installment ups the ante on the action: 

Keanu Reeves has said this movie is the “hardest film I’ve ever made,” in terms of the action, and Insider correspondent Kirsten Acuna’s reaction gives us an idea of why. She says the action sequences have a video game feel, and there’s one she kept thinking about long after the movie ended. This one is sure to be a fan favorite, she says: 

Not all who were able to screen the movie are fans of the nearly three-hour runtime, but Liz Shannon Miller of Consequence seems willing to allow it based on the third act alone, tweeting: 

The Nerds of Color call John Wick 4 the most “gorgeous” installment of the franchise, and while it suffers from pacing issues, according to this account, the new cast additions are stellar, and it features some of the best gun fights in the series: 

Critic Courtney Howard promises this is the wildest time you’ll have at the theater this year and also provides another shout-out for the supporting cast in follow-up Tweets: 

Erick Weber not only calls this movie the best of the franchise, he proclaims John Wick: Chapter 4 one of the greatest action movies ever made: 

Hunter Bolding echoes the thoughts of all of the above. One of the top action movies ever? Check. Best in the franchise? Check. Donnie Yen is a show-stealer? Check. He tweets:

With reactions like this to the fourth movie, it’s easy to see why John Wick 5 is already in the works, as well as an equally stunt-crazy spinoff, Ballerina. It may have been a long wait, but it sounds like time has been good to the action franchise. We’ll know even more when critics’ reviews are released next week, ahead of the movie's arrival to theaters on Friday, March 24. Be sure to come back to CinemaBlend for more John Wick: Chapter 4 coverage, and in the meantime, check out our 2023 Movie Release Schedule to see what other films are headed our way soon. 

Despite originally being envisioned as a standalone movie, John Wick did so critically and commercially that it ended up being the first chapter of a film series that's delivered four installments, and that franchise has now evolved into a cinematic universe. The Continental prequel series was released on Peacock, Donnie Yen's Caine is getting his own movie, and next up, we can look forward to Ballerina, which is being directed by Len Wiseman and was written by Shay Hatten.

This spinoff, which takes place between the third and fourth John Wick movies, is also a tale driven by revenge, with the title protagonist, a fellow assassin from John's unique corner of the criminal underworld, hunting down the people who murdered her family when she was a child. That’s the extent of what we know about the plot so far, but the upcoming 2025 movie's cast is another story. Let’s go over who’s been unveiled for Ballerina so far, starting with the star of his action-packed event, Ana de Armas.

Ana De Armas

In October 2021, four years after Ballerina’s existence was revealed to the public, Ana de Armas was tapped to lead the spinoff. Between taking part in No Time to Die, Craig’s final Bond flick, and the Netflix subscription-exclusive movie The Gray Man co-starring Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans, de Armas has enough action experience under her belt to make her a solid choice for leading Ballerina.

Ana De Armas’ character, i.e. the young woman going on this revenge quest, is named Eve Macarro. Moviegoers will following along with her as she seeks her own vengeance against those who took her her father and the rest of her family away from her.

Ian McShane

The Continental hotel chain caters exclusively to the criminal underworld in the John Wick universe, acting as neutral ground where “business” cannot be conducted, i.e. no killing people on its grounds. For decades, Winston Scott has owned The Continental’s New York branch, but so far we’ve only seen his involvement in what’s been going on in John Wick’s hectic life.

Well, along with Peacock’s The Continental series showing what Winston was up to in the 1970s, Ballerina has also recruited Ian McShane to reprise the older version of the character. As shown in the Ballerina trailer, it's Winston who brings Eve into this criminal underworld as a child to learn the ways of dancing and killing after her family is killed. She'll also be under the New York Continental's protection during the movie.

Anjelica Huston

In John Wick: Chapter 3, Keanu Reeves’ character visited Anjelica Huston’s The Director, the head of the Ruska Roma crime syndicate and John’s mother figure when he was growing up. This is the woman who instructed John and many other orphans in the ways of the assassins, but we also saw her overseeing ballet training among the young ladies under her care with the intent to teach them that art is pain. Eve is one of those students.

With Anjelica Huston set to return as The Director in Ballerina, we'll see The Director and Ana de Armas' character interacting both through flashbacks and its present day narrative. Whether The Director aids the protagonist in her quest like she begrudgingly she with John in Chapter 3 (and paid for it by having her hands stabbed) is another matter.

Lance Reddick

Winston Scott may run the New York Continental, but naturally the hotel’s concierge plays a key role in making sure the operation runs smoothly. That prestigious job once belonged to Lance Reddick’s Charon, whom Ballerina producer Erica Lee described as “an indispensable part of the world of Wick.”

While the first two John Wick movies primarily saw Charon behind a desk or looking after John’s dog while he was on the job, Chapter 3 finally got to see him jump into the action when he helped John defend The Continental from The High Table’s forces after the hotel was temporarily deconsecrated. Sadly, Chapter 4 saw Charon being executed by the Marquis Vincent Bisset de Gramont, and Reddick himself passed away shortly before the movie's premiere. Still, we may get the chance to see him gun down bad guys one last time in Ballerina.

Keanu Reeves

Keanu Reeves will indeed reprise John Wick in Ballerina. However, for those of you who were hoping for a full-fledged team-up between John and Ana de Armas' character, temper your expectations. Reeves said at the convention that he's only in the spinoff for "a few sequences." The trailer shows Eve witnessing part of John's conversation with The Director in Chapter 3, and they'll also run into each other during Eve's mission.

Also keep in mind that John Wick: Chapter 4 ended with the implication that Reeves' character has died. So unless Lionsgate decides to move forward with Chapter 5, Ballerina could be the last time we see the actor in this role.

Catalina Sandino Moreno

Now we come to the newcomers who will be joining Ana de Armas alongside these John Wick alums. Catalina Sandino Moreno, who earned an Oscar nomination for her performance as María Álvarez in 2004’s Maria Full of Grace, has reportedly been tapped for a “sizable role” in Ballerina, although Deadline did not have any details about her character. Maybe she’s a member of the family that de Armas’ character lost (like an older sister), or maybe she’s simply an assassin who’s either an ally or enemy to the protagonist, but evidently we’ll be seeing a lot of her. Moreno’s more recent credits include The Affair, Barbarians and the sci-fi series From.

Norman Reedus

While Norman Reed’s made waves in the late ‘90s and early 2000s with The Boondocks Saints, Blade II and Deuces Wild, but these days, he’s best known for playing Daryl Dixon in The Walking Dead. While the franchise’s flagship show ended in November 2022, Reedus is now leading the spinoff show The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon. Daryl spinoff show. Now he also gets to take part in Ballerina by playing a character named Pine.

Gabriel Byrne

Film-wise, Gabriel Byrne has starred in some heavy-hitters over his acting career of 40+ years, including Excalibur, Miller’s Crossing, The Usual Suspects and Hereditary. Over in TV, he’s best known for Dr. Paul Weston in HBO’s In Treatment, and more recently he’s been seen in shows like Vikings, Marco Polo and War of the Worlds. Producer Basil Iwanyk told Deadline that because you “can never quite be sure” what the actor is thinking, “that’s perfect for this world.” It's since been revealed that Byrne is playing The Chancellor, Ballerina's lead antagonist.

David Castañeda

When Ballerina entered reshoots, two more actors were added to the main cast, per Deadline. The first of this duo is David Castañeda, who is arguably known best for playing Diego Hargreeves on Netflix's The Umbrella Academy, which debuts its fourth and final season later this year. You may have also seen Castañeda in shows like Poker Face and Most Dangerous Game, and the film side of his resume includes Sicario: Day of the Soldado, The Tax Collector and The Guilty.

Sharon Duncan-Brewster

Sharon Duncan-Brewster is appearing in Ballerina as Nogi, who, as shown by the trailer, is one of the instructors whom Eve learns from when she'd brought into the Ruska Roma. In any case, if Duncan-Brewster's role performance as Liet-Kynes in Dune doesn't ring a bell (as seen above), she has an extensive resume of other film and TV work, including Rogue One, Enola Holmes 2, Doctor Who and Sex Education.

Ballerina is slated for release on June 6, 2025. Keep visiting CinemaBlend for more updates on Ballerina’s progress, including other actors who will be along for the ride. Watch The Continental, the three-episode John Wick universe event series, with your Peacock subscription.

John Wick has been through a lot over his three film appearances so far, from losing his wife to a terminal illness and being hunted down by assassins all over the world, to having his finger chopped off and falling off the rooftop of The Continental in the John Wick: Chapter 3 ending. Yet John is still kicking after all this, mean we can look forward to him returning in John Wick: Chapter 4. Had things gone according to the original plan, Chapter 4, the longest John Wick movie yet, would have been released in May 2021, but after being pushed back a year, it’s now on track to be among the 2023 movie releases.

John Wick: Chapter 4 will see the title protagonist waging war on The High Table (as shown in the first trailer), which will include him traveling the globe and facing off against a powerful new enemy who has powerful alliances that will lead to old friends becoming foes. Additionally, we have been learning how the action movie’s cast will look. Let’s go over the actors who have been announced for Chapter 4 so far, starting with the man who brings the Baba Yaga to life on the big screen, Keanu Reeves. 

Keanu Reeves

When we last left off with Keanu Reeves’ John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum, he’d been seemingly betrayed by his old friend Winston, but luckily, he wasn’t left for dead. The Tick Tock Man retrieved John and delivered him to Laurence Fishburne’s Bowery King, who’d also suffered at the hands of the High Table and questioned if John was “pissed off” at the council of crime lords too. While it’s unclear how much time will pass between the events of Parabellum and Chapter 4, it’s reasonable to assume that John Wick will indeed seek vengeance for everything that the High Table has done to him. However, there’s also an opportunity that comes his way that could lead to him getting out of this conflict alive.

Rina Sawayama

If the name Rina Sawayama rings a bell, you’re likely familiar with her musical career, as she’s the singer behind singles like “STFU!,” “XS,” “Bad Friend” and “Lucid.” But Sawayama also has some acting experience under her belt, having played Layla Valentine in the short-lived, Idris Elba-led Netflix series Turn Up Charlie. Now she’s making her film debut in John Wick: Chapter 4 as someone named Akira, although it hasn’t been revealed yet whether her character will aid John or try to eliminate him. 

Donnie Yen

Donnie Yen has showcased his martial arts skills in a lot of movies, from Hong Kong offerings like the Ip Man film series to American blockbusters like Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Disney’s live-action Mulan remake. So with so much fighting experience under his belt, he’s a perfect fit for the John Wick franchise, where people are being punched and kicked left and right. Yen’s John Wick: Chapter 4 character is named Caine, he’ll reportedly be an old friend of John’s who “shares his same history and many of the same enemies.” While you’d think that means John can count on Caine to help him out, the latest Chapter 4 trailer showed John and Caine fighting each other, so something will lead to a divide coming between them.

Shamier Anderson

Over in the TV world Shamier Anderson is best known for playing Xavier Dolls in the first three seasons of the Syfy series Wynonna Earp, and he’s also appeared in shows like The Next Step, Shots Fired and Goliath. Anderson’s film credits include Destroyer, City of Lies and Stowaway, and now he gets to take part in the craziness that is John Wick: Chapter 4. Anderson is appearing in Chapter 4 as Tracker, with Chad Stahelski telling Collider that he’s a “self-motived character” (at least initially) who’s operating in the “gray area” between “the Wick world, and the real world.”

Bill Skarsgård

Along with his time scaring audiences and the citizen of Derry, Maine as Pennywise the Dancing Clown in the IT movies, Bill Skarsgård has also participated in the action-heavy movies Atomic Blonde and Deadpool 2. Now he’s joined the cast of John Wick: Chapter 4 as someone named The Marquis de Gramont. In the second Chapter 4 trailer, The Marquis is presented as someone whom if John can defeat in single combat, The High Table will let him go free. In the aforementioned Collider article, Chad Stahelski said that The Marquis isn’t really “the antagonist, but he's the one in charge of cleaning up all the messes from the first three movies.”

Laurence Fishburne

Now we come to another familiar face who’s returning to the John Wick franchise! Having already played the Morpheus to Keanu Reeves’ Neo in the first three Matrix movies, Laurence Fishburne has since re-teamed with Reeves by playing The Bowery King, who helped John Wick out in Chapter 2 and was punished for this in Chapter 3 - Parabellum. At the end of Chapter 3, the badly injured John was delivered to Bowery King in his new underground hideout, and like John, he was angry at what the High Table had done to them. So now the stage is set for John and Bowery King to exact vengeance on this council of crime lords, and Fishburne has claimed that Chapter 4 is “the best one” of the franchise.

Scott Adkins

Scott Adkins knows his way around action, from fighting Hugh Jackman’s James Howlett/Logan as Weapon XI in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, to working for Jean-Claude Van Damme’s Jean Vilain in The Expendables 2. So bringing Adkins into John Wick: Chapter 4 makes all the sense in the world, and if he’s playing a villain, Keanu Reeves’ John will need to keep his guard up against the martial arts skills Adkins’ character, who's named Killa, will surely break out. It remains to be seen if Adkins share any screen time with Donnie Yen, who he co-starred alongside in Ip Man 4: The Finale.

Lance Reddick

Fans of the John Wick franchise can take comfort knowing we’ll reunite with Winston’s righthand man in Chapter 4. Bosch’s Lance Reddick will be back as Charon, the concierge of The Continental’s New York branch who spent the first two movies in the hotel’s lobby, but finally got to jump into the action in John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum. Now we wait to see if he’ll gun down bad guys again in Chapter 4 or if he’ll be back to chiefly focusing on his concierge duties.

Marko Zaror

If Marko Zaror looks familiar to you, then you’ve likely seen him in movies like Machete Kills and Alita: Battle Angel, or maybe you caught his recurring role as Zolo in From Dusk till Dawn: The Series. Regardless, John Wick: Chapter 4 looks like it’ll be Zaror’s biggest platform to shine yet, as he’s cast as one of John’s “main pursuers.” In other words, it’ll be this guy’s job to make Keanu Reeves’ character’s life hell… you know, even more than it already is.

Ian McShane

Like Charon, Ian McShane’s Winston has been part of the John Wick franchise since the beginning, as he has the integral role of running the New York branch of the Continental hotel. While Winston provided invaluable assistance to Keanu Reeves’ John in the first three movies, the characters didn’t part on good terms at the end of Chapter 3 - Parabellum. After coming to a truce with The High Table and having the Continental re-consecrated, Winston repeatedly shot John until he fell off the roof to show his fealty to the High Table. Most fans logically assume there was more to Winston doing that than meets the eye, and judging by the Chapter 4 trailers, it looks like he’s back to once again helping John directly. Following Chapter 4, McShane will reprise Winston for a “pivotal” role in Ballerina, and Keanu Reeves will also reportedly be involved in the Ana de Armas-led spinoff.

Clancy Brown

Whether you know him from live-action roles like The Kurgan in Highlander or Byron Hadley in The Shawshank Redemption, or have heard him voice animated characters like Mr. Krabs in Spongebob Squarepants or Lex Luthor in the DC Animated Universe, most, if not all of you reading this are familiar with Clancy Brown in some way. Well, soon he’ll be lending his talents to the John Wick universe as a character known only as Harbinger. As explained by Chad Stahelski, Harbinger is "everything that word stands for," essentially serving as The High Table’s “referee.”

Hiroyuki Sanada

As far as his American work goes, Hiroyuki Sanada is recognizable from the likes of The Wolverine, Avengers: Endgame, Army of the Dead, Bullet Train and Westworld, among other projects. During development of John Wick: Chapter 3, it was reported that Sanada was being eyed to play the villain, and while that obviously didn’t happen, he went on to be looped into the Chapter 4 proceedings. So now Sanada and Reeves get to reunite following their time together on 47 Ronin, and Sanada teased that his character, Shimazu, and John Wick also have history with one another.

Natalia Tena

Fans of the Harry Potter movies will know Natalia Tena as Nymphadora Tonks, but if the Wizarding World isn’t your thing, maybe you recognize her from Game of Thrones as Osha, or for leading other shows like Wisdom of the Crowd and Origin. Regardless, it’s been confirmed that we’ll see Tena in John Wick: Chapter 4, and while her character not been identified yet, evidently her time with John Wick will involve him burning his arm for some reason.

Written by Shay Hatten and Michael Finch, John Wick: Chapter 4 is slated for March 24, 2023. Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for more updates on its progress, including other actors, both new and familiar, who are added to the lineup. 

We’re just four months away from John Wick: Chapter 4’s arrival amongst the other 2023 movie releases, but the Keanu Reeves-led saga is also in the midst of expanding beyond the main film series. The prequel series called The Continental heading to Peacock sometime in 2023, and No Time to Die’s Ana de Armas is leading a theatrical spinoff called Ballerina. That spinoff has now begun filming, and along with de Armas commemorating this momentous occasion on social media, it’s been revealed that a familiar face from the John Wick movies is appearing.

Let’s start with the latter topic first. Per THR, Ian McShane has come aboard Ballerina to reprise Winston, the manager of the New York branch of The Continental, the hotel that caters exclusively to assassins and enforces strict rules about business not being conducted on its premises. McShane is one of only two actors who’ve appeared with Keanu Reeves in all of the John Wick movies released so far, the other being Lance Reddick's Charon, The Continental’s concierge. A young Winston will be played by Colin Woodell in The Continental limited series, which boasts a huge cast.

Because of The Continental is such an integral component to this criminal underworld, since Ana de Armas’ Ballerina character will evidently find herself in New York, it makes sense that she would run into Ian McShane’s Winston during the course of her journey. There’s also the possibility that de Armas’ character and Winston might meet elsewhere in the world, but so far in the John Wick movies we’ve only seen Winston on The Continental’s premises, so I’d be curious to see what would draw him outside of the Big Apple. Along with his John Wick appearances, McShane’s other recent credits include Hellboy, American Gods and Deadwood: The Movie.

Back to Ballerina beginning principal photography, Ana de Armas went on her Instagram Stories to share a behind-the-scenes look at her first day on the John Wick spinoff. It may a while until an official image from the production is released, but at least we have this peek at de Armas going through the makeup process.

Ballerina sees Ana de Armas playing a young woman who was raised to be an assassin and uses her lethal skills to exact revenge on the people who killed her family. In addition to performing in front of the camera, de Armas is executive producing Ballerina, and her one major request for the spinoff was that a female writer be brought aboard. As a result, Emerald Fennell was looped in on penning duties, with John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum’s Shay Hatten having also worked on the script. Underworld’s Len Wiseman is directing the feature.

CinemaBlend will continue passing along news about Ballerina’s progress, including the other actors who will join Ana de Armas and Ian McShane. John Wick: Chapter 4 opens in theaters on March 24, 2023.

When the John Wick: Chapter 4 castings first started being announced/reported, it was all newcomers who were being revealed to join Keanu Reeves for his next outing as the assassin labeled the “Baba Yaga.” But in recent weeks, a few familiar faces from the first three John Wick movies have been confirmed to return for the now-filming Chapter 4, and the latest of the bunch is Ian McShane’s Winston, the owner of the New York branch of the Continental Hotel.

Word’s come in that Lionsgate has closed a deal for Ian McShane to reprise Winston in John Wick: Chapter 4. Here’s what director Chad Stahelski had to say to Deadline about McShane taking part in the forthcoming sequel:

Considering that Ian McShane has been playing Winston in the John Wick film series since the beginning and is arguably the saga’s secondary protagonist, it would have been weird for him to suddenly sit out Chapter 4, especially given the way Chapter 3 - Parabellum ended. For those who need a refresher, after coming to a truce with The Adjudicator and having the Continental re-consecrated, Winston repeatedly shot John until he fell off the hotel’s roof, as an act to show his fealty to the High Table. Luckily John survived the fall, and the general consensus is that there was more to Winston’s action than just simple betrayal.

Either way, if Winston were to suddenly disappear during John Wick: Chapter 4, fans would be left scratching their heads. Let’s also not forget that at the end of Chapter 2, Winston gave John a marker for future use, so perhaps this next movie will finally see Keanu Reeves’ character turning that in for a favor. Outside of the John Wick franchise, Ian McShane’s notable credits include Deadwood, American Gods, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and Kung Fu Panda.

Winston is the third established John Wick character who’s been confirmed to appear alongside the eponymous lead. We’ll also reunite with Lance Reddick’s Charon, the Continental’s concierge, and Laurence Fishburne’s Bowery King, who had John brought to him at the end of Chapter 3 and proposed that they take down The High Table together. Chapter 4’s cast also includes Rina Sawayama, Donnie Yen, Shamier Anderson, Bill Skarsgård, Hiroyuki Sanada, Scott Adkins and Marko Zaror.

John Wick: Chapter 4 will open in theaters on May 27, 2022, and for the Winston fans out there, a younger version of the character will be featured in Starz’s The Continental series. Learn what other movies will come out next year in our 2022 release schedule.

Though it only ran for a mere three seasons, Deadwood is widely revered as one of the greatest shows in American television history. The recipient of eight Emmys and a celebrated highpoint in the careers of Timothy Olyphant, Ian McShane, Molly Parker, and Brad Dourif, David Milch's acclaimed western drama series is considered one of the best shows to end too soon, though the series finally received a fitting farewell with 2019's well-acclaimed film-length follow-up. Now that it's been a few years since the movie's premiere, what is the Deadwood cast doing now? Let's take a look and find out.

Ian McShane (Al Swearengen)

As Al Swearengen, the deadly proprietor of Gem Saloon, Ian McShane played a foul-mouthed son of a gun in Deadwood and Deadwood: The Movie. Away from this Emmy-nominated performance, McShane played the title character in Lovejoy, where he also directed. Additionally, the actor played Mr. Wednesday in American Gods. His other TV credits include Ray Donovan, American Horror Story: Asylum, Trust, The Pillars of the Earth, Miami Vice, and Dallas. More recently, McShane appeared in Law & Order: SVU.

Away from television, Ian McShane played Winston in the John Wick series, Blackbeard in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, and Teddy Bass in Sexy Beast. He can also be seen in We Are Marshall, Agent Cody Banks, Hot Rod, The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising, Snow White and the Huntsman, and Hellboy (2019). His other film credits include Death Race, Scoop, Nine Lives, Jack the Giant Slayer, Hercules, and Pottersville. Additionally, McShane was heard in Kung Fu Panda, Shrek the Third, Coraline, and The Golden Compass. Most recently, the TV actor lent his familiar voice to The Simpsons.

Timothy Olyphant (Seth Bullock)

In the role of Seth Bullock, a marshal in Montana, Timothy Olyphant was the protagonist in Deadwood and Deadwood: The Movie. Away from this series, Olyphant was Emmy-nominated for his lead role in Justified. He also starred in Santa Clarita Diet. His other notable TV credits include Damages, The Office, The Mindy Project, and The Grinder. Away from television, Olyphant starred in Hitman, Catch and Release, The Crazies (2010), A Perfect Getaway, and High Life. He also appeared in Live Free or Die Hard, The Girl Next Door, Gone in 60 Seconds, Scream 2, and Go. His other film credits include The First Wives Club, Snowden, Dreamcatcher, and Once Upon a Time In Hollywood.

Most recently, Timothy Olyphant played a recurring role in Fargo Season 4. Additionally, the actor guest-starred in The Mandalorian, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and The Good Place. Next, Olyphant will be seen in The Starling and David O. Russell's untitled new movie. He'll also appear in National Champions and a new Elmore Leonard adaptation.

Molly Parker (Alma Garret)

Playing the part of Alma Garret, a high society woman who moves to the title city and buys claim in the gold-rich territory, Molly Parker plays one of the main characters in HBO's Deadwood and Deadwood: The Movie. Most notably, Parker is Emmy-nominated for her supporting turn as Jacqueline Sharp in Netflix's House of Cards. Currently, the actress stars in Lost in Space, which also streams on the service. Her other television credits include Goliath, Wormwood, The Firm, Dexter, and HBO's Hemingway & Gellhorn.

Outside of TV, Molly Parker starred in Marion Bridge, Pure, Kissed, Trigger, Darwin, and Suspicious River, as well as Rare Birds, Who Loves the Sun, and The Good Shepherd (2004). Her other notable film credits include Madeline's Madeline, Hollywoodland, 1922, The Wicker Man (2006), The Road, Waking the Dead, and American Pastoral. Last year, Parker appeared in Words on Bathroom Walls and Pieces of a Woman. Recently, the actress was seen in Confinement. Next, Parker will star in Jockey, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, and Disney+'s Peter Pan & Wendy.

Jim Beaver (Whitney Ellsworth)

As Whitney Ellsworth, an experienced prospector, Jim Beaver played a gold seeker in Deadwood. Outside of this HBO drama, Beaver is best known for his role as Bobby Singer in Supernatural. He's also acclaimed for his performance as Sheriff Shelby Parlow in Justified. His other television credits include The Ranch, The Boys, Better Call Saul, Breaking Bad, Mike & Molly, Watchmen, and Big Love. Additionally, Beaver appears in CSI, John From Cincinnati, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Days of Our Lives, and Dallas.

On the big screen, Jim Beaver is seen in Adaptation, Joy Ride, Magnolia, Sister Act, Turner & Hooch, Blue Chips, and Crimson Peak. He also appeared in Where the Heart Is, Next, The Life of David Gale, Hollywood Shuffle, and Silkwood. Last year, Beaver lent his talents to Blindfire, Gunfight at Silver Creek, and Young Sheldon. Most recently, the actor voiced Theodore Roosevelt in the short film, Teddy. Next, he'll appear in Guillermo Del Toro's Nightmare Alley. Outside of acting, Beaver is a published author.

Brad Dourif (Dr. Amos “Doc” Cochran)

In his Emmy-nominated role of Dr. Amos Cochran, i.e. "Doc," the town's sole doctor, Brad Dourif plays an upstanding moral and dedicated professional in HBO's Deadwood and Deadwood: The Movie. Most notably, Dourif was Oscar-nominated for his supporting turn as Billy Bibbit in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. However, many horror fans know him best for his long-standing voice performance as Chucky in the Child's Play franchise. Additionally, Dourif is well-recognized as Grima Wormtongue in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. His other notable film credits include Blue Velvet, The Exorcist III, Dune, Alien Resurrection, and Jungle Fever. Furthermore, Dourif is seen in Wise Blood, Senseless, Color of Night, Heaven's Gate, Halloween (2007), and Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call — New Orleans.

Away from film, Brad Dourif's other TV credits include Ponderosa, Star Trek: Voyager, and Once Upon a Time. Most recently, the actor appeared in Obsession. Next, Dourif will be seen in The Shuroo Process. He will also reprise the title role in Syfy's Chucky.

John Hawkes (Sol Star)

Playing the part of Sol Star, Seth Bullock's hardware business partner, John Hawkes was a reliable, sensible character in Deadwood. Most notably, Hawkes was Oscar-nominated for his performance as Teardrop Dolly in Winter's Bone. He also received praise for his lead roles in The Sessions, Martha Marcy May Marlene, Too Late, and Me and You and Everyone We Know. Additionally, the actor provided supporting turns in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Lincoln, Contagion, American Gangster, Miami Vice, The Perfect Storm, Identity, and From Dusk till Dawn. His other movie credits include Rush Hour, Wristcutters: A Love Story, Higher Ground, Everest, Home Fries, Hardball, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, and The Peanut Butter Falcon.

Outside of film, John Hawkes played Dustin Powers in HBO's Eastbound & Down. He also appeared in Too Old to Die Young. His other TV credits include 24, The Practice, and Lost. Additionally, Hawkes reprised his role as Sol Star in Deadwood: The Movie. Most recently, Hawkes starred in End of Sentence and the 2020 short film, Tomahawk.

Anna Gunn (Martha Bullock)

As Martha Bullock, Seth Bullock's wife, Anna Gunn found her first brushes of fame with this supporting role in HBO's Deadwood. Most notably, Gunn is a two-time Emmy-winning actress for her commanding turn as Skyler White in Breaking Bad. She also played Jean Ward in The Practice. Her other television credits include Gracepoint, Shades of Blue, Murder One, NYPD Blue, and Down the Shore. Additionally, Gunn is seen in Law & Order, Portlandia, Criminal Minds, The Drew Carey Show, Seinfeld, and ER.

Away from television, Anna Gunn starred in Equity, Sassy Pants, Little Red Wagon, and Without Evidence. She also provided supporting roles in Sully, Being Frank, Red State, Nobody's Baby, Enemy of the State, and Junior. Most recently, Gunn reprised her role as Martha Bullock in Deadwood: The Movie. Next, the actress appears in Land of Dreams.

W. Earl Brown (Dan Dority)

In the role of Dan Dority, the Gem Saloon's barman, W. Earl Brown plays Al Swearengen's closest companion in Deadwood and Deadwood: The Movie. Additionally, Brown wrote an episode. Outside of this revered show, Brown played Kenny in Scream and Warren in There's Something About Mary. Additionally, Brown worked on the popular video game series, The Last of Us. The actor's other film credits include Being John Malkovich, The Sessions, The Master, Backdraft, Vanilla Sky, Draft Day, and Wild. He can also be seen in Black Mass, The Highwaymen, Sugar & Spice, Deep Impact, and Wes Craven's New Nightmare. Furthermore, Brown appears in Bloodworth, which he wrote and produced.

Additionally, W. Earl Brown's other TV credits include True Detective, Preacher, American Crime, Chicago Fire, American Horror Story, and Seinfeld. Most recently, Brown was seen in The Mandalorian and heard in Hoops and the podcast series, The Left Right Game. Next, the actor will appear in Nora Fingscheidt's untitled new film.

Robin Weigert (Calamity Jane)

Playing the part of Calamity Jane, the famous American frontierswoman, Robin Weigert was Emmy-nominated for a standout supporting character in HBO's Deadwood and Deadwood: The Movie. Additionally, the actress was acclaimed for her performance as Dr. Amanda Reisman in HBO's Big Little Lies. Her other television credits include Berlin Station, Castle Rock, Sons of Anarchy, Jessica Jones, and Chicago P.D. Weigert can also be seen in American Horror Story: Roanoke, Private Practice, Lost, and Cold Case. Additionally, as a guest star, the actress appeared in episodes of Chicago Fire, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, ER, CSI, NYPD Blue, Law & Order, and Law & Order: SVU.

Away from TV, Robin Weigert appears in Concussion, The Sessions, Mississippi Grind, Synecdoche, New York, and The Good German. Her other film credits include The Private Lives of Pippa Lee, Pawn Sacrifice, Please Stand By, Things We Lost in the Fire, and Bombshell. Outside of acting, Weigert made her producing and directorial debut with 2019's short film, The Interpreter. Most recently, she was seen in The Politician.

Dayton Callie (Charlie Utter)

As Charlie Utter, a good friend of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane, Dayton Callie was presented as an honest (if uncomfortable) man with a good heart in Deadwood and Deadwood: The Movie. Away from this HBO series, Callie played Wayne Unser in Sons of Anarchy. The actor also played Jeremiah Otto in Fear the Walking Dead. His other notable TV credits include CSI, John From Cincinnati, Law & Order: SVU, The Unit, Seinfeld, and The Booth at the End. Away from TV, Callie appeared in Halloween II (2009), Volcano, Undisputed, and To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. He's also heard in Left 4 Dead 2. Recently, Callie starred in City of Lies and Table 13.

Titus Welliver (Silas Adams)

In the role of Silas Adams, a debt collector turned trusted associate for Al Swearengen, Titus Welliver became one of Al's most cunning employees in HBO's Deadwood. Most notably, Welliver played the title role in Bosch. He's also known for his performances as The Man in Black in Lost, Glenn Childs in The Good Wife, and Jimmy O'Phelan in Sons of Anarchy. Additionally, Welliver appears in Star Trek: Voyager, The Mentalist, The Last Ship, White Collar, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Law & Order: SVU, Prison Break, and Suits.

Away from TV, Titus Welliver has supporting roles in The Town, Argo, Gone Baby Gone, Transformers: Age of Extinction, Shaft (2019), Live by Night, and Red 2. Additionally, Welliver was seen in Man on a Ledge, Promised Land, Escape Plan 2: Hades, Twisted, and Assault on Precinct 13 (2005). Most recently, the actor appeared in Disney+'s The Mandalorian. Next, Welliver will be seen in Nova Vita and an upcoming Bosch spin-off series. He will also lend his voice to Batman: The Long Halloween, Part One and Two.

Deadwood and Deadwood: The Movie are streaming on HBO Max.

The global pandemic was caused absolute havoc with film production. Films that were set to release have been waiting in the wings for an opportunity to enter theaters. Productions had to be put on hold, delaying films that had release dates set years in advance. One of those movies that has needed to wait has been the highly anticipated fourth entry in the John Wick franchise, but co-star Ian McShane expects to be seeing his friend Keanu Reeves sometime this year, though he doesn't know exactly when.

Ian McShane recently spoke to Collider and while the actor had no specific details on the plans for filming John Wick 4 (as well as John Wick 5) the actor said that he spoke briefly with star Keanu Reeves around the first of the year and expressed his expectation that they should be seeing each other in person at some point in 2021 to film the next movie, if not the next two. According to McShane...

John Wick: Chapter 4 was originally set for release in May of this year, but when the global pandemic brought everything to a screeching halt, that release was delayed, and the movie is now set to open in May of 2022. Assuming that date sticks, then it is quite likely that filming on the next John Wick will take place this year, probably in the next few months. With the need to have enough time to complete post-production, it probably won't be able to wait much beyond this fall and still make the May date.

Without a firm filming schedule, it's unclear if the current plan, to film the next two John Wick movies back-to-back, is still the plan. Under the circumstances it makes a lot of sense. Considering that a lot of precautions will still need to be taken while filming any movies this year, only having to go through those extra steps once, and getting filming done for two movies, will save a lot of time and money.

Hopefully, filming will take place this year and John Wick: Chapter 4 will release on schedule. Chapter 3 left fans with many questions that we all want answers to and we don't want to wait any longer to get them. Chief among them, just what side is Ian McShane's character on? Is he the bad guy now? There's a decent chance even he doesn't really know the answer since he clearly hasn't seen a finished script.

SPOILERS ahead from Deadwood: The Movie.

I counted nine "cocksuckers" in HBO's Deadwood: The Movie. I'm willing to add a few more to the list if Ian McShane doesn't get his long overdue Emmy for playing Al Swearengen.

Deadwood got screwed over with just three seasons, 36 total episodes, on HBO from 2004 to 2006. It took until 2019 to get one movie off the ground -- despite plans for either a Season 4 or two two-hour specials to wrap up the show. This is most likely all fans can hope to get, considering many factors, but especially show creator and movie writer David Milch's Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

Thankfully, Deadwood: The Movie was near perfect. Fans took to social media to thank David Milch and HBO for sticking the landing (with many feeling compelled to add "unlike Game of Thrones").

Deadwood: The Movie gave us a wedding for Trixie and Sol, a funeral for poor Charlie Utter, and the inevitable death of Al Swearengen to end the entire story. We didn't see Al die, we just saw Trixie hold his hand and say the Lord's Prayer, with dying Al getting the final words of the series:

Ian McShane has always been a powerhouse as Al Swearengen, but seeing this more vulnerable version -- while still a cocksucker to the end -- was the perfect poetic ending for such a Shakespearean figure.

Ian McShane was previously nominated for the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Deadwood. He didn't win. This time, Deadwood would be in the movie category. So I'm hoping HBO starts a push for Ian McShane to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie. He might face stiff competition from HBO's own Chernobyl team, but McShane deserves a win, not just for owning the whole Deadwood movie, but also for his un-honored work in the previous three seasons.

When Deadwood Season 3 ended, the cast and crew still hoped for a Season 4. This time, they knew their final scenes were truly The End for the characters. It's a bittersweet way to say goodbye, instead of the original plan to tell a full story across at least one more season. No wonder Timothy Olyphant said he felt a bit ripped off by the movie, even though he loved the script and was shocked the movie even came together at all.

What did you think of Deadwood: The Movie? I'd give it an A, but you cocksuckers can grade it yourselves below -- and let me know if you too think Ian McShane should get the 2019 Emmy this year.

This poll is no longer available.

John Wick is still thinkin' he's back. Keanu Reeves landed himself another iconic role in another major action franchise, and he'll soon return for his third round in John Wick: Chapter 3, aka John Wick 3: Parabellum. However you slice it, it sounds rough for John Wick. The not-so-retired hitman has proven himself up to almost any challenge, but this is a big one.

John Wick: Chapter 3 is bringing back several stars from the first two films, and adding a few more. So, now seems like a good time to review what we know so far about the 2019 film. Up first? Taking a look at the amazing trailer!

What Have We Seen From John Wick: Chapter 3?

After months of waiting, we finally got the first trailer for the third installment of this assassin-based franchise, and, well, it looks as badass, tense and stylish as we were hoping it would. It starts with John and his dog running through the rain, trying to get out of New York before the grace period on the bounty for his life begins, then takes us quickly through some of the things he'll have to face, presumably in escaping the city. He does make it out alive, to meet up with Halle Berry's Sofia in some far flung locale. But, this being the type of film where your troubles literally follow until you're dead, that doesn't appear to be the end of the chase. We'll have to wait until the film debuts to see how John manages to get out of this one.

What Does The Title John Wick 3: Parabellum Mean?

When Keanu Reeves was asked by ComingSoon.net if the title was Chapter 3 or Parabellum, the star replied that it was both: John Wick 3: Parabellum. Reeves continued, explaining that "Parabellum" means "Prepare for war. It's part of that famous sentence, 'Si vis pacem, para bellum,' which translates as, 'If you want peace, prepare for war.'" Parabellum also refers to a type of firearm, so both uses of the word seem perfect for this movie. There was some conflicting information on the "real" title, though. The official social media accounts had it labeled only as John Wick: Chapter 3 for a while, but it seems that Reeves' excellent Parabellum answer may have helped turned the tide for the official title.

What Is The John Wick: Chapter 3 Release Date?

John Wick: Chapter 3 is currently scheduled for release in theaters on May 17, 2019, meaning we're only a few days away from it hitting theaters. The first John Wick film opened in the U.S. on October 24, 2014, making $88 million worldwide. John Wick: Chapter 2 opened on February 10, 2017, making $171.5 million worldwide.

John Wick: Chapter 3 definitely has the potential to be the biggest film of the franchise, but it is opening in a hugely competitive month. Early May 2019 has belonged to Avengers: Endgame, which came out on April 26 and dominated the box office like a champ. Detective Pikachu made an impressive run at second place when it debuted on May 10, so John Wick 3 will be going up against both of those when it releases. Aladdin is opening the week after, on May 24, and the month currently ends with Godzilla: King of the Monsters, among other titles. It's going to be very interesting to see how this shakes out. It's a safe bet that Endgame will own the month, but who else will survive?

What Is John Wick: Chapter 3's Rating?

John Wick 3 is going to be Rated R, just like the first two films. While it took a while for the movie to get an official rating from the MPAA, there was no need to wait. This is not Disney, it's not even Marvel or DC. It's John Wick, and the amount of violence alone would get an R. The franchise has also included enough language to make Captain America blush, and even some brief drug use and nudity. And, since John Wick: Chapter 3 is meant to have the highest death count of the franchise to date, there was never really a chance the rating would be less graphic than the previous films' R rating.

What Is The Plot Of John Wick: Chapter 3?

John Wick: Chapter 2 ended with John being declared "excommunicado" from The Continental hotel -- neutral territory for New York City's underworld -- for breaking the central rule of taking a life on Continental grounds. Continental manager Winston (Ian McShane) gave John a one-hour head start, but he's now on the run -- hunted by just about everyone, and cut off from other members, with a $14 million global contract out on his life. In Chapter 3, John Wick uses the service industry to stay alive as he fights his way out of New York City.

Chad Stahelski returns as director after co-directing the first film and taking solo credit for the second film. He told EW Chapter 3 is "a little bit of an origin story," with John Wick connecting with some people from his past (see new characters below for more on that). In September 2017, Stahelski told Collider his vision for the third movie was based on going deeper into the world instead of just making it bigger.

John Wick - Keanu Reeves

We first met retired hitman John Wick when his wife Helen died from a terminal illness, and he was given an adorable beagle puppy named Daisy to help with his grief. When he refused to sell his vintage 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 to Russian gangsters, they stole the car and killed sweet Daisy. Hence, John Wick's revenge.

John got a new pit bull puppy at the end of that film, and returned in Chapter 2 to make good on his unbreakable "Marker" promise to Italian crime lord Santino D'Antonio. Santino asked John to kill his sister Gianna, so Santino could take her place on the High Table council of crime lords. Because of the Marker, John was not allowed to refuse. But then Santino double-crossed John and opened a $7 million contract for John's death, pretending it was out of revenge for his sister's murder. John killed Santino in the Continental lounge, breaking the key Continental rule of no blood shed on hotel grounds, thereby launching the $14 million contract of Chapter 3.

By the time Chapter 3 rolls around, Keanu Reeves will have played John Wick across five years. The now 54-year-old actor does not seem to be slowing down, and one of the first official photos showed him riding a horse through the dark New York City streets while escaping assassins.

Sofia - Halle Berry

Oscar winner Halle Berry (Monster's Ball) has been cast as new character Sofia. She's described as an assassin, and the first official photo of her (above) shows her mid-badass walk, surrounded by two dogs of her own. About Sofia, Keanu Reeves told ComingSoon.net:

Keanu Reeves added to EW that his John Wick ends up going to find Sofia to see if she can help him. A photo toward the top of this post shows John and Sofia together in the desert, with her dogs. Sofia has two Belgian Malinois dogs, and the dogs are symbolic of someone she's lost. Apparently, the dogs are her assistants and "work very well tactically," director Chad Stahelski added to EW.

Halle Berry filmed several scenes in Morocco and documented them on social media. She clearly had a great time making the film, and showed off some of her stunt moves. She has plenty of action film experience from playing Storm in the X-Men movies, plus as Jinx in the Bond movie Die Another Day, but still managed to injure herself while prepping for the movie. She also recently joined the Kingsman franchise in Kingsman: The Golden Circle, and we can't wait to see what she brings to the franchise.

Winston - Ian McShane

Deadwood star Ian McShane plays Winston, owner and manager of the Continental Hotel in New York, which caters to the criminal underworld. He has been in all three movies so far. The second movie ended with Winston sending for John to tell him he was excommunicado for killing on Continental grounds -- and also let him know the High Table doubled the contract out on him from $7 million to $14 million. But Winston is as close to an ally as John has; he gave John a one-hour head start and also gave him a Marker for future use. One of the first John Wick 3 photos showed Winston with The Bowery King (see below), pairing those heavyweights together.

The Bowery King - Laurence Fishburne

Laurence Fishburne reunited with his The Matrix trilogy co-star Keanu Reeves in the second John Wick movie. Fishburne plays NYC underground crime lord The Bowery King, who helped the injured John Wick when he was desperate. We know The Bowery King will return in the third movie -- and also connect with Winston. This will be the first time we see the characters together, although they must've already met in this shared universe. Both The Bowery King and (especially) Winston have the potential to be allies of John's, although they are first and foremost pragmatists. There's only so far The Bowery King would be willing to stick his neck out, since he only helped John in Chapter 2 out of their shared interest against Santino.

Charon - Lance Reddick

The Wire and Lost alum Lance Reddick plays Charon, another character to appear in all three John Wick films so far. Charon is the enigmatic concierge at Winston's Continental Hotel, serving the New York criminal underworld. There's no word right now if he'll end up somehow helping John out in this film, but Reddick should be fun to watch either way.

Ares - Ruby Rose

Orange Is the New Black star -- and new Batwoman -- Ruby Rose joined the John Wick team in Chapter 2 as mute assassin Ares. She worked as Santino's personal security, and fought John Wick in a knife fight. He beat her, but apparently didn't kill her, since she signed that she'd be seeing him. Santino is now dead, and Ares should be one of the many assassins out to kill John Wick and collect that money.

The Director - Anjelica Huston

Anjelica Huston is no stranger to movies about hitmen -- she won an Oscar for Prizzi's Honor -- but she's a newcomer to the John Wick family. In Chapter 3, she plays a member of the High Table called The Director. Director Chad Stahelski teased to EW that she's "someone who was responsible for [Wick's] upbringing and his protection, in keeping with the previous plot tease that this will be something of an origin story. We see in the new trailer that John gets a chance to confer with The Director at some point, so maybe she'll be willing to help him out.

The Adjudicator - Asia Kate Dillon

Billions and Orange Is the New Black star Asia Kate Dillon also plays a new member of the High Table. By definition, an adjudicator judges or arbitrates a formal dispute. It sounds like The Adjudicator must have had a role in doubling and globalizing the contract put out on John Wick at the end of the second film. Other than that, it's not clear what The Adjudicator will do in Chapter 3. Maybe appeal John's judgment? Santino had used a Marker to get John to kill his sister, then put a contract out for John in seeming revenge for doing just that. Would the High Table amend its verdict on John Wick if they knew more of the context, or would that not matter?

The Administrator - Robin Lord Taylor

Gotham's Robin Lord Taylor has a small role in John Wick: Chapter 3 as The Administrator. He may be connected to The High Table, as with other similarly described characters. Taylor told /FILM he filmed just one day on John Wick 3, on the first day of principal photography. He plays "definitely an important person in that world." He's known for playing The Penguin but said he took this John Wick 3 character "in a physical dimension that was different for me so I’m very excited for people to see it." He added that "It’s very iconic;" whatever that means.

Zero - Mark Dacascos

Actor, martial artist, and former Dancing With the Stars celeb Mark Dacascos plays an assassin named Zero. At this point, that's all we know about the Cradle 2 the Grave and Maximum Impact star's character. But Zero is reportedly one of the main assassins in the film.

Tick Tock Man - Jason Mantzoukas

Jason Mantzoukas is best known for comedies -- including roles on Parks and Recreation, The Good Place, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. This time, he's playing an assassin named Tick Tock Man. As usual, that's all we know. But based on Mantzoukas' strengths, it would be surprising if he wasn't given some kind of a comedic angle.

What Other New Actors Are Joining John Wick: Chapter 3?

Three Kings and Wonder Woman star Said Taghmaoui confirmed his involvement on social media, sharing photos with Keanu Reeves and the desert in Morocco, where Halle Berry was also filming. We don't know anything about his character, though. Lost and The Wolverine actor Hiroyuki Sanada was reported early on as playing the main villain, but then conflicting reports disputed that main role.

Since this movie is going to be jam-packed with global assassins trying to take down John Wick for that $14M payday, it's no surprise to hear many assassin actors have been cast -- including Yayan Ruhian, Cecep Arif Rahman, Tiger Hu Chen, Boban Marjanovic, and (reportedly) Vladimir and Vlado Mihailov, Danish Bhatt, and Candace M. Smith. Sadly, one assassin character who won't return is Common's Cassian; he was expected to return after Chapter 2, but the actor revealed he won't be involved.

Will John Wick: Chapter 3 Be The Last Film?

Will there be a John Wick 4? Director Chad Stahelski told EW he would happily make a fourth John Wick film if the audience enjoys John Wick 3 and wants more. It would probably depend, in part, on how John Wick: Chapter 3 ends. If John Wick lives, it sounds like Keanu Reeves is more than willing to return to the role and keep this up. Also, obviously, box office receipts may come into play. But, even if Reeves' John Wick rides off into the sunset with his dog -- or that horse -- there's still the TV series in the works.

In January 2018, Starz ordered a series called The Continental, set in the criminal hotel safe haven. In this case, though, EW reports the series is meant to be set in Los Angeles, instead of New York. Keanu Reeves is said to have agreed to reprise his role for a cameo. Writer-producer Chris Collins was set to write the series and serve as showrunner, with Chad Stahelski directing the pilot. As of November 2018, we have no premiere date, but stay tuned.

We just have a few days now until John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum hits theaters, so be sure to keep your eyes on this guide for any major updates!

No one has said John Wick will be a trilogy. It's possible Keanu Reeves' John Wick will return after John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum for John Wick 4 or beyond. Director Chad Stahelski has said he'd be down to make a fourth John Wick film if the audience wants more. And we already know a TV series is in the works following The Continental hotel.

Ian McShane plays Winston, manger of the New York City hotel. He's currently promoting Hellboy, the Deadwood movie, and John Wick 3. During a game of Would You Rather, McShane was asked whether he'd rather see the Deadwood movie remade in 10 years or John Wick remade in 10 years.

John Wick seems darn near invincible, but part of me wondered if John Wick 3 was going to wrap up the story and maybe even kill off the Patron Saint of Puppies. After all, there's a global contract out for John Wick. Even with Halle Berry's Sofia and her two dogs in the mix, supposedly on John's side, it's going to be tough for John to get out of this jam.

But Ian McShane spoke to Collider about John Wick as if Mr. Wick is still around after Parabellum. McShane also hinted to the film preparing for whatever happens next time. That gives me hope that John Wick 3 is just the latest chapter in a story that could continue for a while.

Another 10 years? Well, they do say Keanu Reeves is immortal. He hasn't aged much in the past 10 years, so when he's 64 I don't see any reason why he wouldn't still look and act the same.

As Ian McShane noted, John Wick 3 is meant to tell us more about John Wick's background. Anjelica Huston's new character is meant to play a role there, and she's also the Director of The High Table, the council of crime lords. Maybe she'll be on John's side too? Based on the trailers, Asia Kate Dillon's Adjudicator, another member of the High Table, is not exactly on John's side. And there are plenty of new assassins in the mix, including Mark Dacascos as a John Wick fan called Zero who is now out to kill his idol.

Here's more of what we know about John Wick 3 so far. It opens in theaters May 17, and will probably have a stronger opening than the initial projections. But we'll see. If you do want John Wick to continue for another 10 years, you'll have to show him some love at the box office. In December, Chad Stahelski told EW he would happily make a fourth John Wick film if the audience enjoys John Wick 3 and wants more...

DC and Marvel (be it Marvel Studios or projects from 20th Century Fox and Sony) have cornered the superhero movie market, but every now and then there's a project that hails from another company to impress audiences. Last decade, Hellboy left his mark in the earlier years of the comic book movie boom across two movies under the creative vision of Guillermo del Toro, and now the Dark Horse comics character is finally returning to the big screen for a new generation. Like any self-respecting reboot, this new movie is expected to tackle Hellboy much differently compared to its predecessors, and depending on how well it does critically and commercially, it could potentially launch a new series of films. With less than a week to go until Hellboy's release, here's everything we know about it so far.

What Have We Seen From Hellboy?

Luckily, we've had a good look at the action from Hellboy for several months now, including the above red-band trailer which shows off some of the reasons why the film was gifted with an R-rating. The new movie is certainly going for broke when it comes to language and violence, but it still seems to have a focus on humor, which seems to be used to break up the bloody destruction audiences will be in for when they head to theaters.

When Is Hellboy's Release Date?

Rather than face off against other major motion pictures in the summer season or even take its chances in the fall, Hellboy has set up shop in a month that has not been the typical destination for a comic book movie. Hellboy was originally scheduled to be released on January 11, 2019, which would have had it opening a week before M. Night Shyamalan's Glass, which served as a sequel to both 2000's Unbreakable and 2016's Split. And, while a battle between Hellboy and Glass would have been fun to watch, especially considering how well the latter film ended up doing, Hellboy later settled on a spring release date of April 12. But, this has turned out to be its own potential issue.

The week prior to the debut of Hellboy has already seen Shazam! open pretty big and with lots of critical and audience love. So, Hellboy is going to have to fight against that tide on opening weekend, and then battle the big guns a couple of weekends later when what might end up being the biggest movie of all time opens: Avengers: Endgame. Can Hellboy make its mark on the box office? We'll seen soon enough.

What Is Hellboy's Rating?

Technically, Hellboy wasn't officially rated by the MPAA until just a few weeks before it opened, as is standard, but the goal was always for the new movie to rest comfortably in R-rated territory, and it has hit that goal. According to Mike Mignola, the man who created Hellboy, the reason for wanting an R-rating from the jump wasn't because the reboot would necessarily be more violent than the Guillermo del Toro-helmed ones, but because it allows for more creative freedom. Rather than go the fantastical route that its predecessors went, Hellboy wanted to have more of a horror twist, meaning it should feel like a darker movie. With Hellboy gaining that R rating because of "strong bloody violence and gore throughout, and language," according to the MPAA, it sounds like this is a comic book movie that you shouldn't bring the kiddies to see.

The Director

Inheriting the reins left behind by Guillermo del Toro is Neil Marshall, a man who has experience directing both horror and action-packed tales. His movie-making resume includes Dog Soldiers and The Descent, while in the television realm, he's directed on Game of Thrones (one of his episodes earned him an Emmy nomination), Black Sails, Constantine, Hannibal, Timeless and Westworld. He is also an executive producer on Netflix' Lost in Space reboot series. Hellboy is unquestionably Marshall's biggest cinematic endeavor yet, but given his past horror work and how much more intense this reboot will be compared to its predecessors, ideally he's just the right kind of creative mind to bring a fresh perspective to this property. It wouldn't have been wise to hire someone too similar to del Toro, and if all goes well, Marshall will do a good job ensuring that his Hellboy movie can stand on its own.

What Is Hellboy About?

Right off the bat, in case the term "reboot" wasn't a clear enough indicator, Hellboy will not have any ties to the previous movies. It's an all-new cast performing in a story set in an all-new continuity. So, for those of you who waited for years of Guillermo del Toro, Ron Perlman and other key cast and crew members to reunite for Hellboy III, I'm sorry to say that it's not happening. In 2014, Mike Mignola began working with writer Andrew Cosby on what was originally intended to be a sequel to Hellboy II: The Golden Army, but when del Toro was approached to produce it rather than direct, he decided not to be involved at all. That subsequently led to Ron Perlman bowing out, and once Neil Marshall came on board, it was appropriately decided the movie would be a reboot. All this being said, for the longtime Hellboy comic book readers out there, the reboot will be more faithful to the source material.

Inspired by the Darkness Calls, The Wild Hunt and The Storm and the Fury storylines, Hellboy will follow the eponymous protagonist trying to prevent an evil sorceress from destroying humanity. Even though the reboot will have more of a horror hook, a story like this also allows for plenty of fantastical elements to be seeded throughout. Hellboy is a formidable character, and with the aid of his allies at the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense (BPRD), hopefully they'll be able to ensure that the main antagonist doesn't wipe out our kind. Beyond that, plot details are being kept under wraps, but as we get closer to the new Hellboy movie's release, it will be interesting to learn how this world differs from the one Guillermo del Toro oversaw.

Hellboy

In the comics, Hellboy was a half-human, half-demon (birth mother human, father demon), while in the Guillermo del Toro-directed movies, he was a full demon. Whatever his heritage is in the reboot, no doubt like in the source material and previous movies, he will be drawn to Earth as an infant and be raised to be a force for good. His special abilities include super human strength, enhanced healing and an extended life span. He also has the rock-hard Right Hand of Doom, which in the comics is the key to eventually bringing about the end of the world, and he's quite a good shot with oversized pistols. To better fit in among humans, Hellboy files off his horns, though they've been known to magically grow back every now and then.

Succeeding Ron Perlman as Hellboy is David Harbour, who is best known for playing Chief Jim Hopper on Netflix's hit series Stranger Things. The Hellboy reboot will be Harbour's third superhero movie, after previously appearing in The Green Hornet and Suicide Squad (he also auditioned to play Blob in X-Men Origins: Wolverine). Just like Perlman's Hellboy, Harbour's iteration is an all-practical creation, which required the actor to ditch his trademark dad bod. Harbour also admitted that some of his friends tried to convince him not to take the role.

While no specific details about this version of Hellboy have been revealed yet, Harbour has said that the new movie will offer a more faithful take on the character. Noting that his Hellboy will go through"a lot more struggle, a lot more angst," with some of that being due to the fact that he won't have a love interest, partly because this version of Hellboy can't have sex with humans. The actor has also compared the protagonist's inner turmoil (being an adopted kid from hell who wants to do good despite being destined to bring about the apocalypse) to Hamlet. Whatever Harbour's portrayal of Hellboy will look like, he seems to have a good handle on the character.

Trevor Bruttenholm

Professor Trevor Bruttenholm is the only other character from the previous Hellboy movies who's been announced to appear in the Hellboy reboot, and for good reason. In the comics, "Broom," one of humanity's greatest experts on the occult, was a member of the British Paranormal Society, and later became an adviser to President Franklin Roosevelt when the Allies learned that Hitler was trying to use the occult to his own advantage during World War II. Then on December 23, 1944, while joining a group of U.S. soldiers from preventing Rasputin (yes, that Rasputin), from enacting Project Ragna Rok, a demon child appeared before Broom at the time that Rasputin called upon the Ogdru Jahad, powerful entities who are the main antagonists of the Hellboy mythos. That child was Hellboy, and Broom took a liking to the lad, eventually adopting him after helping to form the BPRD.

The late John Hurt played Trevor Bruttenholm in the previous Hellboy movies, and Ian McShane will take over the role for the reboot. McShane's notable work includes Deadwood, the John Wick movies, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and American Gods. McShane mentioned that Hellboy and Broom's relationship will be "quite crusty" because the former wonders why the latter didn't kill him because he's a monster, but so far that's all we know about Broom in the reboot.

One thing worth noting is that when Hellboy first began publication, and even in the earlier movies, it was plausible for Broom to have been a young man during World War II and still be alive in the present day, but with a reboot being released now, that's harder to pull off. Setting Hellboy in the 1990s (or somewhere in that ballpark) would be a good way around that, but perhaps moving Broom's discovery of Hellboy to the 1960s (or so) would also work. But, since they appear to be setting the action in the modern day, another possibility is that something has mystically kept Broom in better health as he's gotten older.

Nimue

In the Hellboy comics, Nimue (who is also known as the Queen of Blood and the Lady of the Lake) lived during King Arthur's reign and managed to persuade Merlin to share the secrets of magic with her. Nimue then locked the wizard away, but her newfound knowledge drove her mad, and a group of witches decided to cut her into little pieces and scatter her across the world so that she could never reform and threaten Earth. Well, you guessed it, in the present day, Nimue was revived, and she immediately began forming her own army, but she was eventually killed in battle by Hellboy. However, before being dragged to Hell, Nimue managed to rip Hellboy's heart out and drag him to Hell with her.

For Hellboy, Nimue the Blood Queen will be played by Milla Jovovich, who has left her mark in the genre world as Alice in the Resident Evil movies and is also recognizable from The Fifth Element, Zoolander and The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc. All we've learned so far about the cinematic Nimue is that she still hails from medieval times and wants to destroy humanity. Even though the new Hellboy movie is drawing inspiration from her story arcs from the comics, don't be surprised if it also takes some creative liberties with her.

Ben Daimio

Ben Daimio was introduced to the Hellboy mythos in 2004, the same year the first Guillermo del Toro Hellboy movie came out. Ben was originally the leader of a Marine squad that was sent to rescue a group of nuns who were kidnapped by a terrorist group, but during the rescue attempt the squad was attacked by the true culprits, a murderous jaguar-worshipping cult. A mysterious entity then killed all the Marines, including Daimio. However, three days later, Daimio came back to life, albeit with the left side of his face scarred. Now able to turn into a jaguar-like creature during periods of intense stress, Daimio joined the BPRD

Originally Deadpool's Ed Skrien was supposed to play Ben Daimio in Hellboy, but the casting was met with accusations of whitewashing. A week later, Skrien voluntarily dropped out, and Hawaii 5-0's Daniel Dae Kim was tapped to play Daimio the following month, and this version of the character will still be a BPRD agent who has monstrous transformation problems.

Alice Monaghan

Joining Hellboy and Ben Daimio as mystically-gifted protagonists is Alice Monaghan, a woman of Irish descent who Hellboy rescued from fairies when she was an infant. Decades later, Alice retains some special abilities due to her time with the fairies, and even though she is in her fifties in the present day in the comics, she still looks like a young woman. Alice will be played by American Honey's Sasha Lane in Hellboy. It looks like she will help out as a BPRD agent in the movie, but beyond that we don't know much about her.

Other Characters

Now that we've covered Hellboy's main cast, let's touch on who some of the minor characters will be. Chief among them will be Ganeida, an elder witch who has decided that Nimue's reign of terror has gone on for long enough and needs to be stopped. She will be played by The Vampire Diaries' Penelope Mitchell, and one wonders if her character will be the catalyst to drawing in Hellboy and the BPRD to help battle Nimue. Joining Mitchell's Ganeida are Hotel Rwanda's Sofie Okonedo as Lady Hatton, a seer who resides at the Osiris Club, which is dedicated to solving supernatural mysteries; Rogue One: A Star Wars Story's Alistair Petrie as Lord Adam Glaren, a high-ranking Osiris Club member; and Phantom Thread's Robert Gleeson as Merlin, who, if this reboot is staying true to the comics, will be the man responsible for Nimue becoming so powerful.

Hellboy will be in theaters in just a few days now, so be sure to keep up with this guide for any major reveals that come out before this weekend!

It's no secret that superhero movies are everywhere. Comic book adaptations have been proven the most profitable and popular genre in the business, with plenty of studios making their own attempts at box office supremacy. Guillermo del Toro adapted the Hellboy comics back in the early 2000's, and now a reboot is heading to theaters starring Stranger Things' David Harbour as the title character.

Joining David Harbour in the new Hellboy cast is Ian McShane, who has been seen in the John Wick and Pirates of the Caribbean franchises, as well as Game of Thrones. McShane is taking on the role of Hellboy's father figure Trevor Bruttenholm, which was played in the original Hellboy movies by John Hurt. According to the 76 year-old actor, the new movie is going to pack plenty of surprises. He recently said:

It looks like Hellboy is going to be a blockbuster that somewhat defies genre, at least according to Ian McShane's description of the project. The script will feature comedy and brightness, while the R-rated reboot will also be far more violent and bloody than Guillermo del Toro's set of films. So basically, there's no telling what's coming down the pipeline.

Ian McShane's comments to the New York Times are sure to excite fans of Hellboy, as well as moviegoers who are curious about the new adaptation. Comic fans are always looking to how accurately the work on the page will be adapted for the silver screen. Guillermo del Toro brought the colorful world to life through his movies, but the PG-13 rating prevented them from being as brutal as the title character is wont to be. So that'll likely be one big way the upcoming movie will surprise audiences.

But Ian McShane also referenced how comedic and light Hellboy will be at the same time. The trailers showed how much attitude David Harbour will have as the big red guy, and it'll be fascinating to see how "funny and smart and bright" the bloody superhero adaptation ends up being.

All will be revealed when Hellboy arrives in theaters on April 12, 2019. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

God love Ian McShane. The man is a gift, and he is never dull. The 76-year-old actor is out there promoting American Gods, the Deadwood movie, the Hellboy reboot, and -- of course -- the new John Wick movie. McShane's Winston returns for John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum, which opens in May. Ask him about the movie, and this is what he'll say:

Slow your spoilers, man! That was Ian McShane to the New York Times, as part of a larger interview about his many upcoming projects. It ain't much, but he's right that the third John Wick movie will be big -- it's meant to have the highest death count of the franchise so far, and the director said it's about 20% more movie than Chapter 2.

The follow-up question to Ian McShane added more potential clues. Or it might just confuse you.

Ian McShane's John Wick character Winston is the owner of the Continental Hotel, which is neutral ground for the criminal underworld. John Wick (Keanu Reeves) did a major no-no in the second movie to kill on Continental grounds. He was excommunicated, with a $14 million global contract out for his life. Everyone is after him. But Winston, that old softie, gave Mr. Wick a one-hour head start. Winston also gave John a Marker for potential use as a favor.

Ian McShane was asked if there would be payback against Winston for letting John Wick get away. Here's his answer:

Nothing is the same? Yes, Laurence Fishburne is also returning as underground crime boss The Bowery King, and one of the first photos promoting John Wick 3 showed Winston and The Bowery King standing together. Here is that photo:

Are they plotting to help John? Just plotting to help themselves if the High Table turns on them? What's this about nothing being the same?

Ian McShane had previously teased a lot of "shifting alliances" in John Wick 3, so maybe that ties into this potentially unvirtuous team-up.

Speaking of the High Table, John Wick 3 sees the addition of Anjelica Huston as The Director, a member of the High Table who has a connection to John Wick's past. Halle Berry joins the movie as assassin Sofia, who also has a connection to John's past. So we're going to get to know more people who knew John way back when. It sounds like maybe not everyone on the planet will be trying to kill John to get that money, but he'll be facing quite a few foes ahead -- some new, some familiar. Thankfully he has his own dog by his side, plus two more that Halle Berry's Sofia has on hand.

What will Winston's role be in all of this be? We'll have to wait and see. Ian McShane also echoed what he had previously said about maybe doing a voice-over for The Continental TV spinoff series, but not appearing himself as Winston. There haven't been many details on that John Wick series yet, but it's meant to be set in Los Angeles, as opposed to the New York hotel of the John Wick films.

John Wick 3 -- directed by Keanu Reeves' former stunt double from The Matrix -- opens in theaters May 17, as one of the many films to keep an eye on with our 2019 movie release date schedule. Here's what the "Parabellum" of the title means, per Keanu himself.

If anyone should be in a John Wick TV series called The Continental, it's Winston, owner and manager of The Continental Hotel. Right? Well, maybe not. The spinoff headed to Starz is actually said to take place at the Los Angeles Continental hotel, as opposed to the New York hotel featured in the films. So it makes sense that Winston actor Ian McShane had this to say when asked if he'll appear in the TV series:

A voice-over would probably be the perfect bridge between the John Wick films and The Continental TV series. Winston could still visit the Los Angeles hotel, but based on what Ian McShane told Rotten Tomatoes, a cameo is not quite in the cards at this point.

It's been a while since we've had solid updates on The Continental. Last we heard, the pilot episode would be shot by John Wick film director Chad Stahelski. John Wick himself, Keanu Reeves, was reportedly on board for at least a cameo at some point.

Other than that... we wait. Keanu Reeves' John Wick is definitely back in a couple of months with John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum. Ian McShane's Winston is certainly in that movie -- along with Laurence Fishburne's The Bowery King, and the photo above shows they'll be hanging out together in John Wick 3.

John Wick ended Chapter 2 killing Santino in The Continental, which is a huge no-no, since the hotel is supposed to be neutral territory for the criminal underworld. John was declared "excommunicado." Winston gave John a one-hour head start, but in John Wick 3, Mr. Wick will be on the run, with a $14 million global contract out on his life. (Hopefully Halle Berry's new character Sofia can be of some assistance.)

Ian McShane told Rotten Tomatoes the High Table council of high-level crime lords "will be pissed off" and "very angry" in John Wick 3. However, he added that there would be a lot of "shifting alliances" in the movie. Winston seems to be sympathetic to "Jonathan," as he calls him in the trailer, but there's only so much he can do to help at this point.

When he's not busy promoting the John Wick franchise, Ian McShane is talking up his role in Hellboy, plus the long-awaited Deadwood movie coming to HBO this year, and American Gods Season 2, which is set to premiere March 10 on Starz.

We're still waiting for cast and premiere date details on The Continental, but keep up with everything we know about the John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum cast, plot, filming, and other details in our handy guide. And bookmark CinemaBlend's 2019 midseason premiere schedule for all the TV dates we do know at this point.

HBO's Deadwood film is finally getting production underway, which fans already know was quite an accomplishment. HBO recognized that as well and marked the momentous occasion by releasing the cast list of returning actors who will reprise their roles from the original series. Ian McShane, Timothy Olyphant, and many others are all on board, and ready to give fans the revival they've been waiting on for so long. Take a look at the full returning cast list!

Ian McShane

Ian McShane's return as Al Swearengen isn't the least bit surprising, considering he's been part of the push for the Deadwood film for a while now. Additionally, Swearengen might be the character most often associated with Deadwood, so pushing a film through in his absence would not be unnoticed. That's not to say that wouldn't be true with any of the main cast, but fans know McShane is the type of actor who commands any role he takes.

Timothy Olyphant

Timothy Olyphant is back as Seth Bullock, and eating a bit of crow in light of HBO's casting announcement (via TVLine). Olyphant went on the record earlier this year and said that while he was really hoping a film would see the light of day, it would "never fucking happen." Even if he was wrong (barring any production breakdowns or cancellations), we're sure Olyphant is happy to admit it now that he's getting back in the saddle as Seth.

Molly Parker

Molly Parker will make her return as Alma, the complicated female lead who had many problems throughout Deadwood. We're not sure where Alma will be when the film picks back up, but it's safe to say there's something happening now that she's supposedly back in town. What role Alma will play in the upcoming film's story is anyone's guess, although we're guessing it'll may involve Seth.

Anna Gunn

Years before she was the vengeful Skyler White on Breaking Bad, Anna Gunn was Seth Bullock's wife Martha on the HBO drama. Martha and Seth's relationship has always been complicated, so it'll be interesting to see if the two's dynamic has changed much from when they were last seen on Deadwood. We're not sure what to expect considering the show's Martha Bullock differs from the real-life counterpart, but we're excited to see Gunn reprise her character.

Paula Malcomson

Paula Malcomson is back as Trixie, and we're hoping a lot of the other things to love about her are back as well. The foul-mouthed former prostitute has the heart of Al and Sol, so we're guessing she's doing pretty well. Still, old habits seem to die hard for Trixie, and we wouldn't be surprised if she's still turning a trick or two just for the thrill of it.

Brad Dourif

Brad Dourif will return as Doc Cochran, although we're not entirely sure how long he'll be around in the Deadwood film. We say that because Cochran was beginning to show the signs of tuberculosis in Season 3, and while he's a solid physician for the era, he doesn't stand a good chance of beating that sickness. He'll probably still battle on regardless, and do his best to heal the various wounds inflicted on people during the feature.

John Hawkes

John Hawkes is back as Sol Star, and things were looking up for Seth's best friend at the end of the series. He's one of the most respected people in the area, and he had Al pulling strings to keep his relationship with Trixie as stress-free as possible. Whether they've stayed that way, or Sol's life will be shaken up going forward remain to be seen.

Dayton Callie

Charlie Utter will appear in the Deadwood film and Dayton Callie will reprise the role. Much like many of the others, we're not sure what's in store for Charlie, but we're curious if Deadwood will refer to the character by his real-life nickname that the show never mentioned. It would be cool to see Utter get his nickname of "Colorado Charlie," although it might also be weird for someone to call him that after 3 seasons of not doing so.

Robin Weigert

Robin Weigert will be back as Jane Canary, and we're sure she's still happy and living with Joanie. We're not sure how the rest of their story will play out, as the ending of Deadwood somewhat teased some tension with Cy outing Joanie and attempting suicide. With Powers Boothe gone, we doubt that storyline will continue in a meaningful way, although it has been confirmed Cy's absence will be addressed in some way.

Kim Dickens

As mentioned, Kim Dickens' Joanie Stubbs seemed to be doing just fine with Jane at the series finale of Deadwood, and we have no reason to suspect anything changed since then. Joanie had converted the Chez Amis into a schoolhouse, so it's possible some of her story on the return will be tied to that. Let's just hope Dickens' character fares better in the long run than her character on Fear the Walking Dead because it would be sad to lose Joanie.

William Sanderson

William Sanderson is back in the mix as E.B. Farnum, in the first return to HBO for the actor since his days on True Blood. Things were never incredibly great for Farnum in Deadwood, and we doubt he'll have many more friends than he did at the series' end. Still, it'll be good to see Sanderson back as the character, as he's had some time away from the limelight in recent years.

Gerald McRaney

George Hearst left camp in the finale of Deadwood, but it's looking like Gerald McRaney's casting means he'll be back for one reason or another. Perhaps he'll learn that Al faked Trixie's death, and he's unhappy the wool was pulled over his eyes. After all, who wouldn't be mad to learn the person who attempted to murder them was still walking around without proper punishment?

W. Earl Brown

W. Earl Brown is back as Al's right-hand man Dan Dority, although it's safe to speculate he might be a little changed this time around. It's been known that Dan wasn't as brutal as he seemed, but that fight with one of Hearst's men seemed to have done a number on him, so we're not sure if he'll be quite as rough and tumble now. Of course, Dority could still get his violent mojo back, and we're hoping he does in case things get sticky for Al.

HBO's Deadwood film is just getting started on production side, so viewers still have a bit until they can see their favorite characters in action. For a list of shows to watch in the meantime, be sure to visit our fall premiere guide.

John Wick has pissed off a lot of people in his two theatrical appearances so far, but he isn't without allies. Ian McShane's Winston has been arguably John's biggest supporter, and while Laurence Fishburne's Bowery King interest in John during John Wick: Chapter 2 was more self-serving, he nonetheless helped the hitman when no one else would. Both men will be back next year in John Wick 3: Parabellum, and the latest image from the production shows Winston and The Bowery King finally coming face-to-face.

Given their respective positions within this world's assassin community, it's guaranteed Winston and The Bowery King are familiar with one another, and perhaps they've met before the events of the John Wick movies. However, both men interacted with Keanu Reeves' John separately during John Wick: Chapter 2, so it'll be in John Wick 3: Parabellum that we see them meeting onscreen for the first time. Both men are very powerful within this community of killers and colorful criminals, Winston being the manager of the Continental Hotel's New York branch and The Bowery King being an underground crime lord commanding an army of homeless agents. Seeing them together, I can only imagine what they're meeting about in this picture, though it's a good bet it involves everyone's favorite badass assassin.

As far as their relationships with John Wick go, Winston definitely cares more of John's well being than The Bowery King. Granted, Winston was forced to tell John at the end of John Wick: Chapter 2 that he'd been declared excommunicado by the High Table for killing Santino D'Antonio on Continental grounds, as well as call in that the bounty on John's head had been doubled and offered globally. However, Winston gave John a one hour head start and a Marker for future use, so clearly he has a soft spot for John. The Bowery King, on the other hand, only helped John in Chapter 2 because if Santino gained more power, his operation would eventually be kaput. So while Winston will hopefully still be supportive of John in John Wick 3: Parabellum, there's no guarantee The Bowery King will follow suit.

Along with Winston and The Bowery King, John Wick 3: Parabellum's return characters include Lance Reddick's Charon, Ruby Rose's Ares and Common's Cassian. The threequel's new players include Halle Berry's Sofia, Angelica Huston's The Director, Asia Kate Dillon's The Adjudicator, Mark Dacascos' Zero and Jason Mantzoukas' Tick Tock Man. Parabellum will see John trying escape from New York, fighting and killing anyone who stands in his way.

John Wick 3: Parabellum hits theaters on May 17, 2019, so keep checking back with CinemaBlend for more updates. Don't forget to also look through our 2018 release schedule to learn what movies arrive later this year.

Next year's Hellboy reboot has the unenviable task of following the well-received (if ultimately unsuccessful) Guillermo del Toro films, which first introduced the character on screen to a wide audience. To stand out from it's predecessor and succeed in a way they did not, the reboot will have to tell Hellboy's story in a new and different way. One way that the film will be differentiating itself from the original is in the relationship between Hellboy and his adoptive father Professor Trevor "Broom" Bruttenholm. Taking over in the role of Professor Broom from the late John Hurt is actor Ian McShane, who spoke about how the relationship will be different in this film.

The original, 2004 Hellboy opened with the birth of Hellboy and his discovery and adoption by Professor Broom. Based on Ian McShane's comments to Fandom, it sounds like this reboot will go back further, and perhaps show more of the origins of Professor Broom and the B.P.R.D. It also sounds like Hellboy and Professor Broom will be butting heads quite a bit, as Hellboy struggles with who he is. Hellboy is very much a story about nature versus nurture and destiny versus agency. The relationship between Hellboy and Professor Broom is central to who Hellboy is, and what side he fights for. We didn't see much of this internal conflict in Hellboy in the first films, but it seems there will be a bit of self-loathing to the character here as he struggles to find his place in the world.

It seems like part of that internal struggle will come in a pivotal moment where Hellboy thinks he is being used to slaughter his own people. That is some emotional stuff and should be really interesting to watch play out with talented actors like David Harbour and Ian McShane. Ultimately, if Hellboy is to succeed, the audience needs to care about and empathize with the main character. Discovering who you are and deciding who you want to be is part of growing up, and oftentimes that process sees you lashing out at those who mean the most to you. Hopefully this film can tap into that universal theme, and tell a compelling family story.

Hellboy is not Batman. Audiences have seen Bruce Wayne's parents gunned down enough times that it is common knowledge, but I would argue that the average moviegoer does not know Hellboy's story. Therefore, I do think that the reboot should show how Hellboy came to be, hopefully including some new familial scenes between he and his father. With any luck moviegoers will appreciate this new Hellboy, allowing a fresh start to a great new franchise.

The reboot is being directed by Neil Marshall and stars David Harbour, Milla Jovovich, Ian McShane and Daniel Dae Kim. Hellboy arrives in theaters on January 11, 2019.

It has been almost a year since we saw John Wick flee into the night at the end of John Wick: Chapter 2, and the journey is only just getting started. Not only are we gearing up for the eventual release of John Wick: Chapter 3, but it also seems that the small screen world is going to get its particular brand of John Wick action as well. In fact, we can now report that the John Wick TV series, The Continental (named for the neutral zone hotels for assassins that feature prominently in the films), has officially landed a home on Starz.

The well-deserved John Wick TV series was announced shortly after the debut of John Wick: Chapter 2, but the project has maintained considerable radio silence for quite some time. However, after shopping the project around, it looks like The Continental has ended up on premium cable over at Starz. As far as more specific details go, The Continental will take place at a Los Angeles-based Continental hotel (thus moving it away from the traditional New York home of Mr. Wick), and the pilot will be shot by stunt guru/John Wick director Chad Stahelski. Eternal badass, Keanu Reeves, is also reportedly on board as well, serving as an Executive Producer for the show -- with a cameo appearance of unknown size even expected.

Though the change in location revealed in the EW report of the series's new home on Starz seems to indicate that John Wick himself won't play a substantial role in the show's overarching story, it does leave some room open for a few other cameos here and there. Perhaps most notably, it doesn't seem entirely outside the realm of possibility to assume that Ian McShane's Winston could show up at some point.

The character is a fixture in the world of The Continental, which makes him a clear choice for a show set in these hotels. Moreover, as Ian McShane already has a working relationship with Starz through his role on American Gods, one could assume that he wouldn't be hard to bring to the negotiating table.

A premium network like Starz seems like one of the only possible homes that a show like The Continental could realistically end up on in the long run. By its very nature, a story set in the John Wick universe needs to go all in on the action, violence, and blood. A standard broadcast network would likely water down some of the harder content, and the recent success that Starz has seen with adapted shows like American Gods and Ash vs. Evil Dead makes it seem like an incredibly suitable resting place for a John Wick-inspired story.

CinemaBlend will keep you posted with more information about The Continental as new information is made available to us. Until we learn more about the upcoming Starz series, you can take a look at our midseason premiere guide to see what else is coming to the small screen over the next few months!

For years, Hellboy fans hoped that Guillermo del Toro would get to make a follow-up to Hellboy II: The Golden Army, but after numerous attempts by del Toro, Ron Perlman and others, Hellboy III ultimately wasn't able to get off the ground. Instead, the Dark Horse Comics protagonist is being rebooted for a new generation, this time with Stranger Things star David Harbour wearing the red makeup. Now it's been announced that John Wick's Ian McShane has been added as Harbour's first co-star, and he'll be playing the character's adoptive father.

THR dropped the news that Golden Globe-winner Ian McShane has signed on to Hellboy: Rise of the Blood Queen as Professor Broom, whose full name in the comics is Professor Trevor Bruttenholm. McShane inherits the role from the late John Hurt, who had prominent role in Guillermo del Toro's first Hellboy movie and cameoed in the sequel. With production aiming to begin in the United Kingdom and Bulgaria this September, no doubt McShane's addition is just the first of many casting announcements that will come in the weeks ahead.

In the comics, Professor "Broom" was a member of the British Paranormal Society, and he used his knowledge of the occult and supernatural to help the Allies combat the Nazis and their black magic. In the penultimate year of World War II, Broom discovered the infant Hellboy and raised him as if he were his son. In the 2004 Hellboy movie, John Hurt's Broom discovered Hellboy while stopping Project Ragna Rok, but the professor was killed circa 2004 by Rasputin's minion, Karl Ruprecht Kroenen. We'll have to wait and see Ian McShane's Broom will also have participated in World War II or if his early experiences will move forward a decade or two to better sync up with contemporary times.

Ian McShane's notable credits over the years include Lovejoy, Deadwood, Kung Fu Panda, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Hercules and Grimsby, but to John Wick fans, he's instantly recognizable as Winston, the owner and manager of the Continental Hotel in New York. McShane is also currently starring as Mr. Wednesday on the Starz series American Gods, which, like the new Hellboy movie, is under the Lionsgate banner. No doubt he'll fill the mentor/paternal figure role in the Hellboy reboot quite nicely.

Hellboy: Rise of the Blood Queen will follow the main protagonist battling a medieval sorceress who wants to wipe out all of humanity. The Descent and Game of Thrones' Neil Marshall will direct the reboot, and Larry Gordon, Lloyd Levin and Dark Horse's Mike Richardson are on board as producers.

Keep checking back with CinemaBlend to see how the Hellboy reboot is coming along, including when it will arrive in theaters.

We're currently in a TV era of reboots and revivals, which has brought shows like The X-Files and Gilmore Girls back for another go years after they came to an end on the small screen. One show that would be a perfect candidate for revival is HBO's Deadwood, which came to an abrupt conclusion in 2006 after three seasons. There have been talks of the show coming back off and on over the past decade, but nothing has happened. Now, we have news that could point toward a revival moving forward. Deadwood star Ian McShane has given a major update on the potential revival, saying this about creator David Milch's progress:

According to Ian McShane, David Milch has finally produced a fitting script for a Deadwood movie to HBO, and it's now on HBO to get production rolling. The news comes after fans have gone more than a decade with only rumors and vague promises that more Deadwood might somehow and someday be in the works. Given that McShane said as recently as December that there was "talk about it" but nothing solid had been worked out, I'd say his news should be pretty exciting for fans. It's still not confirmation, but it's definitely progress.

Of course, we've known for a while now that HBO is on board for more Deadwood. Former HBO programming president Michael Lombardo revealed last year that David Milch had the network's commitment to produce a reunion movie, and Milch had even pitched a general story. Assuming new HBO programming head honcho Casey Bloys is as on board for Deadwood as his predecessor, we could very well see forward movement in the not-too-distant future.

Ian McShane went on in his chat with TVLine to say this about whether David Milch could make the revival happen with the original actors:

We'll have to wait and see what happens next. Considering that we've been waiting for a decade now, I'd say that we can wait a little while longer for more news. A lot may depend on the availability of the cast. Ian McShane himself currently has a starring gig on Starz' American Gods, and the other actors have moved on in their careers as well.

Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for the latest and greatest in Deadwood news. Check out our list of 17 remakes and revivals to see all the other old projects that are back in the works again, and be sure to take a look at our 2017 rundown of TV renewals and cancellations. Drop by our midseason TV premiere guide and our summer TV premiere schedule to discover all your viewing options now and in the coming weeks. If streaming is more your style, our 2017 Netflix premiere schedule is the place for you.

Ian McShane only popped up in HBO's Game of Thrones for a little while, but his character on the fantasy drama certainly made an impression. This partially may have to do with McShane himself, who was quite outspoken about the show before his big appearance, memorably calling it a series only about "tits and dragons." While his run on the show was well-received, he was big on releasing information about the series ahead of time, and some Game of Thrones fans were not pleased. Now, Ian McShane has gone off on those particular fans. Here's what he has to say:

Speaking ahead of his upcoming appearance on American Gods over at Starz, Ian McShane told Empire Magazine fans are just way too over-the-top in regards to the fandom. His blunt comments relate to people getting mad at him for revealing that he would be "bringing someone back" on the show during last year's Season 6. Considering the character Ian McShane had signed on to play and considering the possibilities, it seemed extremely likely that The Hound would be brought back, and he was. People who really wanted to be surprised were somewhat disappointed by the admission, but as it turns out, McShane really doesn't give a flip.

To Ian McShane's credit, stuff leaks out about Game of Thrones all the time, albeit not frequently from the actors involved with the show. It's hard on the Internet to avoid spoilers completely, but there are certainly some strategies that will help you avoid spoiling yourself too much if you are spoiler phobic. You certainly aren't going to get any sympathy from Ian McShane on that front, if you are a Game of Thrones fan who was upset about him revealing that particular spoiler.

The good news for McShane? A lot of people actively look for or don't mind spoilers related to the shows they care about. If you are more in that category, you don't seem to be earning Ian McShane's ire here. If you would like to know more about the upcoming Season 7 of Game of Thrones, do take a look at our what we know guide. In addition, we'll let you know as soon as Game of Thrones gets an official premiere date, but in the meantime, do take a look at what is headed to TV in the coming months with our midseason TV premiere schedule.

There are countless shows in TV history that fans can argue were cancelled too soon. One series that pretty much everybody agrees deserved more seasons was HBO's Deadwood. The western lasted for three seasons, and its unexpected cancellation in 2006 is still a sensitive subject for many. Now that reunions and reboots of old series are practically commonplace, however, many people have wondered whether or not the Deadwood crowd could come together again for a return to the 1870s. Star Ian McShane has this to say about a possible reunion:

All things considered, Ian McShane's reveal about the possibility of a reunion might be fairly bitter news for Deadwood fans. It sounds like the timing in 2016 would have been perfect for everybody to get back together for another go at the series. If only they'd had a script ready for production, a reunion might have already happened on HBO.

Ian McShane also mentioned in his Nerdist podcast chat that he and the other cast members are frequently hearing buzz about a Deadwood reunion happening, and he seems amenable to the idea of returning to the character of Al Swearengen. We may not get another look at Deadwood, South Dakota soon, but at least there's still enough interest that people are talking about it with the former stars. Besides, one of the reasons why Deadwood was such a critical and popular hit was just that the writing was exceptional at crafting the world of the 19th century and the characters who resided in it. If the Deadwood team is going to regroup, a rush for a reunion could result in shoddier writing. Fans have been waiting a decade; surely we can wait a while longer for the best project possible.

The fact that a decade has passed without production of a reunion might make it hard for even the most dedicated fans to remain optimistic, but a new Deadwood project isn't just a pipe dream. HBO gave the greenlight for a reunion movie earlier this year, and creator/writer David Milch was slated to return as the head honcho. The only obstacles at the time were finding the time in Milch's busy schedule to work on a reunion and gathering key members of the cast for a TV movie. Ian McShane went on to explain that HBO's frustration with the series stemmed from the high cost and many complications of Deadwood production, so the network's willingness to work on a movie is an encouraging sign.

The series finale of Deadwood back in 2006 left a lot of loose ends dangling for the characters, and a reunion could answer some major questions that have had viewers wondering and waiting for the better part of a decade. Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for the latest news on reunions and reboots, and take a look at our midseason TV premiere schedule to see what will hit the airwaves in the near future.

Nobody expected John Wick to become such a phenomenon when it landed on the scene in the fall of 2014. A small-scale revenge thriller, the Keanu Reeve fronted action movie made a serious impression on audiences with its relatively simple story, its immaculately crafted action sequences, and (most of all) its utter dedication to creating an authentic, lived-in world of killers, thugs, and bad guys. Despite the fact that it was produced on a shoestring budget of roughly $20 million, John Wick became a bona fide R-rated hit by grossing $86 million worldwide. Beyond that, the film also performed incredibly well with critics, garnering an 85% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes -- no easy feat for an R-rated action movie.

With that combined commercial and critical acclaim, it only made sense that a sequel quickly entered development. The John Wick sequel -- appropriately titled John Wick: Chapter 2 -- will hit theaters in 2017, and it's quickly become one of the most highly anticipated action movies of the coming year. We cannot even begin to express our excitement for John Wick 2, and as such we have taken it upon ourselves to compile all of the information we can regarding its upcoming release. Now let's get started with one of the most basic, and yet most important, elements of the upcoming John Wick sequel: the story...

What Is The John Wick 2 Story?

The original John Wick deserves quite a bit of credit. The filmmakers really tied up the story so neatly that none of us can really figure out where a sequel could possibly go. Mr. Wick got everything he needed out of the events of the original film; the men who killed his beloved beagle were punished, and he managed to walk (read: limp) into the night with a new canine companion to take care of. Now it seems that the sequel will take the basic DNA of the original, and send it in a very new direction. The overarching narrative of John Wick 2 will see the titular killer once again come out of retirement due to a blood oath he owes a former associate. This commitment will see him travel away from his home in New York to Europe in order to face off against a group of ruthless killers intent on taking over the underground assassin's guild. You know that this means: more carnage.

With that in mind, it sounds like the next John Wick will draw from John Wick's past for its conflict, and that means we will get far more insight into the mind of the character himself. Keanu Reeves recently revealed that the film would deal with the duality of Wick. There's "John," the docile man who spent five years married to the love of his life. Then there's "John Wick," the deadly assassin feared by the entire criminal underworld. Something from John's past will come back to haunt him in John Wick: Chapter 2, and the John Wick side of his personality steps in to fight for his survival.

When Is The John Wick 2 Release Date?

Although the original John Wick was a fall release (hitting theaters on October 24, 2014), it seems that John Wick: Chapter 2 will switch things up a bit and opt to hit theaters in late winter. According to Box Office Mojo, John Wick: Chapter 2 will hit theaters on February 10, 2017. Just in time for Valentine's Day, obviously.

In previous years, releasing a major R-rated action movie like John Wick: Chapter 2 in the middle of February would've seemed like a generally odd endeavor for a studio. However, the recent success of Deadpool showed us that audiences will turn out in droves for a solid action blockbuster during the shortest month of the year if it's worth it. We're not saying that John Wick 2 will rival the success of Deadpool, but anticipation for it is very, very high.

Who Is The Director Of John Wick 2?

If it isn't broken, then don't fix it. Behind the scenes everything worked perfectly on the first John Wick, and it seems that nobody has any intention of changing horses midstream. Keeping that in mind, Chad Stahelski will once again return behind the camera to helm the next installment in John Wick's story. Additionally, his uncredited co-director from the original John Wick, David Leitch, has also opted to stay onboard as a producer for the upcoming sequel. Considering the quality of the action as well as the performances, in the original John Wick, the decision to bring these two back should instill quite a bit of confidence in audiences.

In addition to Chad Stahelski's return as franchise director, John Wick: Chapter 2 has also brought screenwriter Derek Kolstad back to pen the film's script. With so many familiar elements returning to the fray, we have a feeling that Chapter 2 will truly feel like a proper sequel.

Where Does John Wick 2 Take Place?

The upcoming John Wick sequel will provide plenty of familiar environments, but it will also introduce a new world within the established one. We already know that Winston's Continental Hotel will return as a central location for the film's narrative, which means that all of the rules and customs established in the first movie will return as well. This definitely comes as a relief, because the gritty, urban New York setting of the original John Wick certainly added a great deal of authenticity to the proceedings.

However, as previously stated, John Wick: Chapter 2 will eventually switch things up and take the action overseas as well. In addition to the New York shooting locations, we have learned that the John Wick sequel has also shot scenes in Rome, Italy. The exact nature of these scenes (as well as their overall impact on the plot) remains a mystery, but we have a feeling that the Rome location will come with its own new set of rules and customs that John will have to abide -- or face the consequences.

Keanu Reeves - John Wick

The man himself. Of course Keanu Reeves will return for John Wick: Chapter 2. You cannot have John Wick without John Wick. Despite the fact that John tried to find peace again at the end of the original film, it appears that something will occur in his life that will once again draw him back into the underground world of criminals, assassins, and general low-life scum. If he's coming back, expect plenty of mayhem and bloodshed to follow.

As previously stated, it appears that John Wick: Chapter 2 will delve much deeper into the duality of the series' titular gun-toting hero. John Wick is very clearly a man more at odds with himself than we even realize. The "John" portion of his personality longs for a peaceful existence, but the"John Wick" aspect of his mind has an innate knack for killing, and it's difficult for him to completely suppress that bloodlust. We saw hints of that underlying rage during the events of the original film, and it looks as though we will get a much more thorough understanding of what makes this assassin tick in the coming film.

Laurence Fishburne - The Bowler King

That's right, folks. John Wick: Chapter 2 will feature a bona fide Matrix reunion, and we cannot even begin to describe how excited we are for it. Laurence Fishburne will take on the role of The Bowler King in the upcoming John Wick sequel. It's unclear whether or not he's a friend or a foe to John Wick, but his presence will quite obviously be one of the major reasons that Mr. Wick jumps back into action. Given their previous on-screen interactions, we're willing to bet that they're allies.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Laurence Fishburne's involvement in John Wick: Chapter 2 is the way in which he will reportedly expand the John Wick universe. He has nothing to do with the world we have already been introduced to. During a recent interview, the former Morpheus opened up regarding his involvement in the highly anticipated sequel and explained that The Bowler King comes from a world entirely separated from Winston's Continental Hotel, but still firmly rooted within the John Wick universe. This seems to indicate that the film's world of assassins and criminals runs even deeper than we realized, and possibly even points towards warring factions of killers.

Ian McShane - Winston

If there's one character from the original John Wick that we're excited to see return (aside from Wick himself), it's Ian McShane's Winston. The prim, proper, and generally dapper owner of The Continental Hotel, Winston proved himself quite reliable as one of the few allies that John Wick could really trust during the events of the first movie. Ian McShane completely owns the character, sipping a martini casually while talking with John across the table, or ordering the death of a rule-breaker in his hotel. The Deadwood star does quiet menace better than anyone.

However, knowing that John Wick will leave the confines of The Continental and make his way to Europe has us scratching our heads. Winston seems so inextricable from The Continental itself that we cannot really the gauge the size or scope of his role in John Wick: Chapter 2. Will he survive long enough to see John off? Will he simply wish John well as he travels overseas to kick some ass? Or will he even decide to accompany John Wick on this mission? These are questions we need answered.

John Leguizamo - Aurelio

The moment John Leguizamo first appeared on screen during the events of the original John Wick was the moment we truly realized the depth of the universe we would soon enter. His character, Aurelio, is the owner of a high-end chop shop in New Jersey, and a source of information regarding the ins and outs of the criminal underworld. If he's coming back to the fray, we can likely assume that John Wick will turn to him for inside information concerning the new threat that he's facing, and perhaps a shiny new car.

Common

Another major addition to the cast, Common has continuously proven himself as one of the best musicians turned actors working today. Although very few details regarding the exact nature of his character have been made available to us, we have learned that he will take on the role of a security head for a major female crime lord during the events of John Wick: Chapter 2. With that in mind, we can reasonably assume that he will pose a serious physical threat to the titular hero, while an even worse big bad continues to loom in the shadows.

This casting shouldn't come as a major shock to anyone that has become familiar with Common's body of work in recent years. His turn as "Price" in the wholly underrated 2015 Liam Neeson thriller, Run All Night, proved that the rapper has what it takes to pull off the role of a cold, meticulous assassin. We have nothing but faith in his ability to present a distinct challenge to Mr. Wick throughout the course of the upcoming sequel.

Ruby Rose

Rounding out the principle cast of John Wick: Chapter 2 is none other than Orange is the New Black's Ruby Rose. Out of all the major players in the upcoming John Wick sequel, she's the character we really know the least about. On one hand, her character could provide a potential love interest for the deadly Mr. Wick, if he's ready to finally move on following the passing of his wife -- played by Bridget Moynahan in the original movie, who will once again return for flashback sequences.

On the other hand (and this is a far more likely scenario) Ruby Rose's character could be one of the many deadly criminals that John Wick will face off against during his next rampage. The original John Wick's Ms. Perkins (Adrianne Palicki) already proved that woman can be just as deadly (if not deadlier) than men in this universe, so anything's possible. Ruby Rose will also appear in xXx: The Return of Xander Cage one month and Resident Evil: The Final Chapter before John Wick: Chapter 2 hits theaters, so she seems to be gunning for action hero status in Hollywood.

Nobody could have expected that John Wick would become such an insane phenomenon when it hit theaters in the fall of 2014. The straightforward, yet brutally executed, revenge thriller crafted one of the most uniquely engaging cinematic worlds in recent memory. John Wick will soon return in the aptly titled John Wick: Chapter Two, but up until recently we’ve known very little about how the film will continue the titular assassin’s story. Now it seems that the events of the first movie will directly inform the action of the upcoming sequel.

During a recent interview with EW, actor Ian McShane, who plays the Continental Hotel's owner Winston, explained that John Wick: Chapter Two would directly build off of the events from the original film:

So it seems that John Wick didn’t get away as cleanly as we though after the events of the first film. John Wick ended with the titular badass getting revenge against the Russian mobsters who killed his adorable puppy, Daisy, but it seems that his decision to re-enter the criminal underworld will have unforeseen consequences. Let's just hope that they don't kill this new dog, because that would seriously be too much to handle.

The original John Wick did an amazing job of constructing a fully-realized world for all of the assassins and criminals to live in. If there’s one thing that consistently seemed to come up, it’s the notion that this fantastic world is most certainly governed by rules. John Wick broke these rules when he checked into the Continental Hotel in order to make things personal, and this decision will see numerous assassins coming after him.

Our biggest hope for John Wick: Chapter Two is that, despite the fact that he will have a contract on his head, the hero will still have allies who help him out along the way. As previously mentioned, John Wick meticulously constructed a world and an economy for these assassins and criminals, and one of the most fun elements of the entire movie was watching all of these low-life thugs operate with an oddly formal sense of decorum.

Just check out this scene from John Wick to see this set of rules in action:

We will keep you up to date with any and all details related to John Wick: Chapter Two as they become available to us. The sequel will hit theaters on February 10 of next year.

Spoilers from Sunday’s Game of Thrones episode are in this article. If you haven’t watched and don’t want to know all of the details, head out now.

During Sunday’s episode of Game of Thrones, HBO’s fantasy drama reintroduced us to Sandor Clegane, who survived being pushed off a cliff by Brienne several seasons ago. In the time since, he had hooked up with a spiritual faction that was looking to find peace in an otherwise violent world. Unfortunately, that peace was to be short-lived. The group encountered the Brotherhood Without Banners, who slaughtered the women and men in the cult-like faction while The Hound was chopping wood. His mentor, played by Ian McShane in a special guest stint, was also hanged. This week, McShane explained what he thinks The Hounds trajectory will be on Game of Thrones moving forward. Here’s what he had to say:

The episode was set up rather cleverly, with McShane’s character and Sandor Clegane talking philosophy and the need to reconcile ideas with the practical knowledge that there will always be danger and violence present. They reached an impasse during those conversations, with McShane’s guru feeling as if he could lead his flock and survive in a peaceful manner while Clegane felt that weapons would be needed, and soon. Obviously, The Hound's warnings ended up coming true before the end of the episode and McShane and the rest of the group perished because they didn’t heed those warnings. However, that doesn’t mean that The Hound wasn’t effected by the loss of his new compatriots. He was, deeply, and McShane's comments to EW make it clear he believes that will affect the character’s trajectory in the episodes moving forward. 

Mostly, it means that the Brotherhood Without Banners should be on guard. The Hound was one of the most formidable fighters in Westeros before he was nearly done in by Brienne’s fighting skills and Arya refusing to kill him. McShane mentioned during the episode that when he found The Hound,he thought he was dead. He didn't seem to be breathing and he even had bones sticking out of his body. He thought The Hound was going to die, but he didn't. Now, it turns out that Sandor Clegane's survival might directly effect the efficiency of the Brotherhood Without Banners moving forward. 

The Brotherhood Without Banners was created as an anti-Lannister group, but they aren't necessarily Robin Hood-type good guys. In fact, their actions during the episode showed even more in depth how the group is capable of preying on people who land in their path. I would not want to be in the Brotherhood when The Hound finds them, as I agree with McShane that it is not going to be a good look. 

Luckily, we shouldn't have too much longer to wait to find out. New episodes of Game of Thrones air on Sunday nights at 9 p.m. ET. You can find out more about what else is coming up on the hit series here. 

Possible Game of Thrones spoilers are below.

When Game of Thrones returns for Season 6 next month, it will welcome another HBO star to its cast, as former Deadwood great Ian McShane will appear. The actor took some heat recently when show fans thought that his publicity quotes gave away spoilers, and in response, McShane offered up a pithily reductive summation of the fantasy epic.

Ian McShane is an ideal person to lay out this kind of assessment without the guilt of looking like a douchebag, since U.K. folks excel at pointed sarcasm. That sentiment is, of course, what a lot of Game of Thrones detractors say about it, with many claiming too many tits even, thus making it the perfect retort to those whose fandom is so strong and pure that they give an actor shit for talking too much.

While he most assuredly doesn’t actually think of Game of Thrones in such simplistic terms, something tells me McShane was far more genuine in the thought he shared right before summing it up.

There’s a hack 1990s stand-up comic joke to be made about tits and dragons being more important to people without lives than anyone else. Sure, certain fans of any media freak out when spoilers go public, but Ian McShane doesn’t appear to be the kind of Game of Thrones fan that knows exactly who and what can and can’t be mentioned when doing press for the show, and he can hardly be blamed for mentioning anything that he wasn’t prepped to avoid talking about, especially from a show that goes to great lengths to hide plot points prior to episode airings. Unless he was told not to say anything. In that case…I still side with McShane, because duh.

In an act exemplary of several of his onscreen characters, Ian McShane stoked the fire even more in explaining how he got the Game of Thrones gig, using possible spoilers to do it. He’d wanted to once again work with Charles Dance and Stephen Dillane, not realizing that their characters had been killed off. And then he told The Telegraph this:

Trying to figure out if a quote or an image is definitely indicative of a character’s death on Game of Thrones should be booming business in Las Vegas, or whatever the gambling capital is in Game of Thrones’ Known World. We’ll certainly find out by the end of McShane’s episode, which will happen at some point during Season 6, which is debuting on HBO on Sunday, April 24.

This entire article is written about Ian McShane’s character and what he’ll be doing. As such, this article is dark and full of spoilers. Read on at your own risk.

Ian McShane was one of the first new cast members to be added to Game of Thrones for Season 6. Early on, people thought he might be playing a famous pirate from George R.R. Martin’s books, but more recently, we’ve learned that won’t be his role. However, McShane did drop some big spoilers related to his Game of Thrones character during a recent episode of BBC Breakfast. Here’s what he had to say:

Ian McShane seemed very clear that he couldn’t drop any spoilers, just noting that he is bringing back a much-loved character is a big clue regarding Season 6. We do know that tons of dead characters may be coming back in Season 6. Some, like Ned Stark, should be returning via flashbacks (in Stark's case he will reportedly be a young man and played by a different actor). However, both the Hound and Jon Snow have been rumored to be dead on the series. The Hound's been gone for several seasons--ever since Arya left him for dead--while Jon Snow was just stabbed—seemingly fatally—at the end of Season 5. 

Although Ian McShane absolutely says he is not supposed to be talking about his character, later he did a second interview with the BBC, and was asked about Game of Thrones again. He stated his episode is only a one-off, but he enjoyed it very greatly because he got to travel to England. Plus, the role entailed nursing a “much-loved” Game of Thrones character back to life. When directly asked whether or not it would be the Hound or Jon Snow he was dealing with, McShane had this to say:

If you’ve been keeping tabs on Game of Thrones, the rumor mill had already noted that the Hound would be returning in Season 6, although if he appears in the same number of episodes as Ian McShane, his stint might be short. If you’ve read George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novels, McShane’s words also seem to indicate that he will be playing Elder Brother, the head of, well, a group of peaceniks who may have taken in The Hound after Arya left him for dead. In the novels, Pod and Brienne stumble upon this group on the Quiet Isle and it is alluded to that the Hound may not be dead, after all. If the same holds true on the series, that would tie up that storyline neatly.

Obviously, a lot of what we know about Game of Thrones Season 6 is based on short quotes and speculation at this point. However, we’ve compiled what we’ve learned in this handy what we know piece. In addition, be sure to tune in to HBO when Game of Thrones returns to the schedule on Sunday, April 24 at 9 p.m. ET. 

Last year brought in an announcement of the utmost importance when Starz put in a series order for Neil Gaiman’s outstanding novel American Gods, as developed by one of TV’s master storytellers, Bryan Fuller. And now yet another slice of awesome has come from this project, as it’s been announced Deadwood vet Ian McShane has been cast.

This won’t be some brief cameo, either, as Ian McShane will be taking on the hugely important role of the conniving Mr. Wednesday, the leader of the Old Gods. Mr. Wednesday is actually Odin, the All-Father of Norse mythology, and it is he who attempts to gather up a group of Old Gods to go to war with the world’s New Gods. He hires leading man Shadow Moon (to be played by Ricky Whittle) as his bodyguard immediately after Shadow is released from prison, and the two work together to further Mr. Wednesday’s goals.

Although there are a ton of things going on in American Gods, the Old Gods vs. New Gods war is basically the gist of how the story moves forward. And it will allow for a slew of actors (hopefully as awesome as Ian McShane) to come into the show, as there are over a dozen Old Gods – including Mr. Nancy/Anansi, Mad Sweeney/Suibhne, Mr. Jaquel/Anubis and Mr. Ibis/Thoth, to name a few. There aren’t as many New Gods – which are tied to modern conveniences like the Internet, TV and the stock market – but they’re extremely powerful and have certain advantages.

American Gods was originally going to be an HBO series some years back, but the project was passed over due to lackluster scripts. Bryan Fuller, of Hannibal and Dead Like Me fame, took up the helm and teamed up with Green Lantern scribe Michael Green, who will serve as showrunner. What’s more, Neil Gaiman is not only involved, but he’ll be writing multiple episodes of the series.

Ian McShane, whose name made Neil Gaiman grin when it came up as a casting suggestion, has already worked on one adaptation of the British author’s works, as he voiced the Russian neighbor Mr. Bobinsky in Coraline. (He also worked with Michael Green on the shortlived drama Kings.) In recent years, McShane has popped up on the small screen in American Horror Story and Ray Donovan, and he’ll also take an important part in Game of Thrones Season 6 and in the upcoming British drama Doctor Thorne. On the feature side, he starred in John Wick and will reprise that role in the upcoming sequel, and he’ll also pop up in Sacha Baron Cohen’s new movie The Brothers Grimsby.

There’s no telling quite when American Gods will make its way to Starz in full, but it’ll likely happen later this year or very early in 2017. In the meantime, I’m going to reread Gaiman’s novel to count how many times, if any, Mr. Wednesday calls somebody a cocksucker.

Back in August, we learned that Deadwood actor and all-around badass Ian McShane will be joining the cast of Game of Thrones during Season 6. At the time, we weren’t sure what sort of character the actor would be playing, although we made plenty of guesses. We still don’t know exactly which character McShane is signed on as, but this week the actor gave us a huge tidbit related to the individual he will be playing. Apparently, he’ll be someone with the skills to bring someone back we never thought we’d see again. Here’s the idea, straight from the horse’s mouth:

The obvious inference here is that McShane could have something to do with Jon Snow, who may or may not be alive on the series and could even be brought back to life during Game of Thrones’s upcoming sixth season. However, we also expect Melisandre will be around and could fulfill some of that function if Kit Harington’s character does end up returning to the show. In addition, rumors have also intimated that a few other dead characters will be popping up on Game of Thrones when the show makes its big return, either via flashbacks or through bringing people back from the dead. It’s hard to guess when it’s a show where magic could be involved.

Included among these other names are The Hound, who has been seen near the set of Game of Thrones while the show has been filming this season. In addition, Tyrion’s dead lover, Shae, was also spotted in costume on the set earlier this year, although since Game of Thrones employs the use of flashbacks now, it’s entirely possible that any of these appearances may not have anything to do with the role Ian McShane will occupy on the popular HBO drama.

While we haven’t learned a ton about McShane’s gig on the show, we do know several other details about the character. The actor also told Pop Goes The News that his Game of Thrones role is actually rather brief. The actor is only signed on for one episode of the hit series, although his character is expected to be memorable.

I think it’s important to note that McShane only hints that he will be “bringing someone back,” not necessarily bringing someone back from the dead. Plenty of character have gone missing on the series (here's looking at you, Uncle Benjen) or have simply been missing from the plot for a while, including Bran and Hodor, who were out for the whole of Season 5. Regardless, the dead characters are the ones we don't expect to see again, leading credence to that theory. Whatever ends up happening, it's pretty fun to think about.

If you want to know what else is going on regarding the upcoming sixth season of Game of Thrones check out what we know so far.

Spanish filmmaker Gonzalo López-Gallego hasn’t exactly made a huge splash here in the U.S., with last year’s slow-but-worthy Open Grave failing to reach wide audiences and 2011’s Apollo 18 being one of the most disappointing films I’ve ever seen. But both of those films had strong concepts, and his next film, The Man on Carrion Road, sounds just as interesting from the offset, especially now that Ian McShane has signed on to join The Conjuring’s Patrick Wilson in the violent thriller, which will be produced by Atlas Independent.

While McShane is arguably always more enjoyable as the lawless badass, Deadline reports he’ll be playing a retired sheriff in The Man on Carrion Road, albeit one that doesn’t mind dealing out an asswhipping in place of a calm and considered conversation. He will team up with the town’s new sheriff (Wilson) to go on the hunt for a ruthless cartel member who has made a habit of butchering different members of the town’s population. I quite like that there’s not a lot of room for mystery in this one, and hopefully it will be a good old hardcore good guys vs. bad guys flick. I can’t wait to see who they nab to play the killer.

The pic, written by newcomer Nils Lyew, has only been in development for less than a year, but it’s already seen a switch in its lead, as Wilson replaced Justified’s Timothy Olyphant last October. How amazing would it have been for those two Deadwood actors to reteam on something like this? Wilson will almost certainly do a good job, though being rugged isn’t exactly his strong suit.

McShane didn’t really have a lot going on in 2013, starring only in Brian Singer’s rather forgettable fairy tale Jack the Giant Slayer. But he recently finished filming his part in Brett Ratner’s upcoming summer tentpole Hercules with Dwayne Johnson, and he also stars with Nick Frost and Rashida Jones in James Griffiths’ all-star dancing comedy Cuban Fury, as well as Spanish director Daniel Monzón’s dramatic thriller El Niño. 2014 will be a good year.

Production will begin on The Man on Carrion Road this April in Utah, and I guess we can expect López-Gallego to take on his next project, the South American mystery Sanctuary, at some point after that.

Because no talk of McShane could possibly be had without using the word cocksucker, here’s an extremely NSFW montage of that word’s near countless appearances on Deadwood, many of which were uttered by McShane himself. Have fun!

You think you know the story of Hercules? The Rock and Brett Ratner are en route to proving you wrong. The Tower Heist director is helming a new and reportedly grittier take on the Greek myth from the Radical Studios graphic novel that sets up the mighty demigod as a mercenary for hire. Dwayne Johnson will front Hercules in the title role, and previous casting reports revealed Aksel Hennie (Headhunters) and Rufus Sewell (Dark City) will co-star. But with production set to start in a few short weeks, casting is heating up. And this epic's ensemble is growing even more impressive.

THR reports that Ian McShane (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides), Joseph Fiennes (Shakespeare in Love), John Hurt (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) and Swedish actress Rebecca Ferguson (A One-Way Trip to Antibes) have signed on to the tent pole pic. As this version of the Hercules story has its burly hero not as a god, but as mortal with a band of badass fellow mercenaries, we can assume some of this lot will play Johnson's comrades in arms.

For his part, McShane, who is best known for playing the fearsome Al Swearengen on the acclaimed HBO series Deadwood, is set to portray Amphiarus, a character described as a priest, prophet, and warrior who counsels Hercules. The roles of the rest of these new additions are presently unknown.

Hercules is looking to kick off production in Budapest this May. The big budget action-adventure is scheduled to hit theaters July 25th, 2014.

Following a flurry of activity over in the casting department of Universal’s planned Snow White and the Huntsman, it’s official that neither Snow White, the Huntsman or Charlize Theron’s evil queen will be the reason why we line up for this adventure next summer. It will be to see the seven dwarfs director Rupert Sanders has recruited for this bizarre fairy tale adaptation.

British tough guy Ray Winstone (44-inch Chest, The Departed) is the latest name added to the eclectic ensemble of knockaround sons of bitches who Kristen Stewart’s Snow White will befriend on screen, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He’ll join recently cast actors Ian McShane, Eddie Izzard, Bob Hoskins and Toby Jones for a version that has dwarfs named after Roman emperors like Caesar, Claudius and Tiberius. Winstone will play Trajan, who is the twin brother of Hadrian, to be played by Happy-Go-Lucky star Eddie Marsan. I’m not sure this film can get more awesome.

Lately Universal has been winning the PR battle against Relativity’s rival Snow White project, which has Julia Roberts, Lily Collins and Armie Hammer as its leads. That version, directed by Tarsem Singh, has some ground to make up now that Sanders’s Snow has revealed such bold choices for its dwarfs. But I’m telling you, covering the Snow White race has been more fun than watching these films could ever be. Let’s hope we’re not too disappointed when both films hit theaters next year.

We've been told for years not to keep our hopes up about a return to television for Deadwood, the foul-mouthed Old West saga that made stars out of Timothy Olyphant and Ian McShane and is definitely one of the top 5 shows that people are constantly telling you you need to watch. But McShane, who is out doing early rounds of promotion for his role in PIrates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, is now fueling the fire of speculation, telling MTV, "You never know. Don't say no."

You can check out the rest of what he had to say in the video below, though be warned, it's kind of along the lines of the promises we've been hearing about an Arrested Development movie all these years: he and creator David Milch have talked about it, and McShane has a "sneaking thing in the back of my mind" that it will happen. Notice, that is nothing even close to a promise that it's actually happening. Honestly having gone through the Arrested Development movie ringer for so long I don't even want to report on this, especially since it's not up to Milch and McShane whether to return-- it's up to HBO, which cancelled the show to begin with. Anyway, if you prefer to believe that hope springs eternal, watch McShane in the video below. I personally won't be holding my breath.

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

December is my favorite movie month. In addition to seeing the releases of some of the best films of the year, the ones aiming for Oscar glory, the 31 days prior to the new year are peppered with trailers for movies that will likely be the biggest hits of the following year: the summer blockbusters. We saw trailers for both Transformers: Dark Of The Moon and Thor last week, and now we’ve got a little Jack Sparrow for you.

Disney has released the first trailer for the fourth installment in the Disney franchise, known formally as Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. Directed by Rob Marshall, replacing Gore Verbinski, who directed the first three films, the newest movie in the series sees the return of Johnny Depp as the Keith Richards-esque buccaneer as he and Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) go on a search for the fountain of youth. What they don’t know, however, is that the infamous Blackbeard is also going after the treasure.

Check out the trailer below.

Obviously the big hope here is that this movie will be able to get the franchise back on track after two sequels that didn’t really live up to the original. As expected, Johnny Depp is his normal, witty self and just seems at home in Jack Sparrow’s skin. That said, nothing about the trailer really blew me away. Sure, it was nice to see Keith Richards in there, but it all seems a little too busy and the one-liners are more smile-inducing than laugh-inducing. The chemistry between Depp and Penelope Cruz seems fun, with a lot of back and forth (and a nice dose of sexual innuendo at 1:45).

What did you think of the trailer? Will this be the best Pirates of the Caribbean film since The Curse of the Black Pearl? Let me know in the comments section, and for a more detailed look at the Pirates 4 trailer check out more than 80, high-res screencaps here.

The first trailer for Case 39 makes a pretty convincing argument in favor of child abuse. The movie stars Renee Zellweger as a social worker who, with a little help from Ian McShane, stops two parents from murdering their daughter. She takes in the kid and discovers they had good reason for trying to send their daughter to hell. Her mistake leads Bradley Cooper find himself covered in hornets. That’s right, hornets!

Social workers beware. Below is the first trailer for Case 39 or watch it in HD on Apple.

Case 39 has actually been finished and waiting for someone to release it since way back in 2006. It was originally scheduled to be released in August of 2008. Then it was pushed back to April 2009. But it wasn't until April of 2009 that the movie even got a trailer (which has since been removed from the internet) and that release too was called off. It was already released in the UK this past march, and now it's being released in America on October 1st of this year.

All the delays probably aren't good news. The handful of British critics who saw it and reviewed it, generally hated it. The movie currently has a 21% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

For more on Case 39 visit our preview page.

With the early summer start date for Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides sailing ever closer, casting directors are feverishly trying to fill out their cast. Some key roles have already been filled by the obvious players --Johnny Depp and Geoffrey Rush-- as well as newcomers to the series Ian McShane and Penelope Cruz.

But what if you need to fill a scene with scantily clad women showing off their bodacious breasts? Well send out a casting call of course. Moviehole got their hands on a casting breakdown recently shipped out to agencies in hopes of landing some ladies who will wear the film's extensive wardrobe better than others. The call reads as follows:

So if you've spent money attaching softballs to the front of yourself, navigate away and forget this even happened. Your self esteem will be better for it. But if you're rockin' what the gods gave you in a big way and are willing to show off your curves in some fancy pirate outfits, get yourself an agent and get your rack to L.A.

Now if only I could send out casting calls like this for Friday nights. Ladies?

NBC was a big player at this year’s San Diego Comic Con, with a big showing from the casts of Heroes and The Office. In addition to the NBC shows you already know, they also debuted a show that no one knows about yet: the new Ian McShane starring series Kings.

Kings isn’t set to hit the airwaves until February, but NBC gave Comic Con audiences a 20 minute sneak peek at the first episode of the show. It’s loosely based on the biblical story of David and Saul. For those of you who aren’t Bible readers, the story of David goes a little something like this: Poor farm boy named David kills a giant named Goliath and becomes a national hero. As a reward King Saul makes him a part of his royal court. David befriend’s Saul’s son Jonathan, but eventually overthrows king Saul, takes over his kingdom, and becomes King David.

Kings however, is not set in ancient Israel. Instead, it takes place in a sort of alternate universe, on a planet Earth where a country that looks very much like the United States (but isn’t called the United States) is ruled by a king. They’re at war with a neighbor, and the King’s son is taken prisoner by enemy soldiers. David (Christopher Egan) is a grunt in the King’s army, and against orders stages a one man rescue mission to save the King’s son. He succeeds, and in the process defeats one of the enemy’s unstoppable Goliath tanks. As a reward for saving his son, the King (Ian McShane) brings David into his household and gives him anything he asks for. You can guess where it goes from there.

The twenty minutes we saw were the show’s opening in which David rescue’s the King’s son and defeats the Goliath tank. What’s most surprising about the show is how well shot it is. It’s slick and well produced, and seems to have a pretty big budget for such a high concept show. Ian McShane is compelling as the king, and every second he’s on screen is impossibly gripping. It sags a little when we’re watching David, but you get the feeling that it’s only going to get better after they get the whole origin story thing out of the way. I found Kings incredibly compelling, and plan to be there on day one when it finally hits weekly programming.

It’s hard to say though whether this thing will ever catch on with general audiences. It’s extremely high concept, and the idea of some alternate modern world where Kings rule is likely to be a little hard to latch onto, particularly for American audiences. The clip we saw came with no explanation intro, and you had to really stick with it to make sense of what was going on. Once you did, and bought in, the thing works brilliantly, but getting the average viewer to stay with the show long enough to make sense of where they are and what they’re doing is going to be a pretty tough task if NBC hopes to get ratings, especially right off the bat.

The showing of the first part of Kings was followed by a Q&A hosted by Heroes star Greg Grunberg, which NBC has graciously popped up online for you. Watch it below, for more info on what the series is about: