Ian McShane’s Winston Scott Returns in Action-Packed Ballerina Film
Renowned actor Ian McShane reprises his role as the enigmatic hotelier Winston Scott in the upcoming film Ballerina, a spin-off of the John Wick action franchise. Winston’s backstory, as well as that of his hotel, The Continental, was explored in the Peacock miniseries The Continental: From the World of John Wick. However, McShane and his late co-star, Lance Reddick, devised their own backstories for their characters, which differed from the events depicted in the prequel series.
In a recent interview with Collider’s Perri Nemiroff, McShane shared his vision of Winston’s past, paying tribute to his late friend and co-star, Lance Reddick. "That leads into my dear departed friend, Lance Reddick, who I would normally be here with, talking about the movie," McShane said, visibly moved. "I miss him dearly. We would talk about the backstory that we had, I remember, from the very first show together, and I think much more interesting than what you mentioned before about the prequel."
According to McShane, Winston and Charon, played by Reddick, were two government operatives who met in Africa on a joint CIA and MI6 mission. "When their governments no longer had any use for them, which they don’t, and this is true in real life, they’re thrown out into the world," McShane explained. "And what do they know? They’re in a world of black ops, psyops, mercenaries, and whatever, and they put it to good use. So, they were approached by The High Table because nobody knows who that is."
McShane also discussed Winston’s character and his wardrobe, which reflects his personality and position as the manager of The Continental. "But at the same time, running a hotel are these two very official-looking guys," he said with a laugh. "You got to wear great suits at the same time, so when the project came up, I said, ‘Oh, good. Get in touch with my tailor in London. I’ll see you in a couple of weeks!’ It’s been a great thing to be a part of and still is."
The John Wick Universe: Understanding Winston Scott’s Role
Winston Scott, played by Ian McShane, is the manager of The Continental, an upscale hotel in New York City that caters to a shadowy underworld of assassins. A longtime friend of John Wick’s, he is typically accompanied by his faithful concierge, Charon, played by the late Lance Reddick. Winston serves at the pleasure of the High Table, the mysterious cabal that controls the underworld in the John Wick world.
As reported by Collider, Winston’s role in the John Wick franchise has been significant, particularly in the more recent films. At the conclusion of John Wick: Chapter 4, he’s reinstated as the head of the rebuilt Continental, but is left to mourn the (seemingly) fallen Wick.
What Do We Know About Ballerina?
Ballerina: From the World of John Wick will star Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro, a ballerina-turned-assassin who grew up in the same Russian crime family as Wick, headed by The Director, played by Anjelica Huston. The film will see her use her assassin skills to avenge her murdered father, as she takes on The Chancellor, played by Gabriel Byrne. In addition to McShane and the late Reddick, the film will also feature an appearance from Keanu Reeves as John Wick.
The film, directed by Len Wiseman, underwent reshoots with original John Wick director Chad Stahelski. Ballerina: From the World of John Wick will premiere in theaters on June 6. Fans of the John Wick franchise can look forward to seeing how Winston’s character evolves in this new film.
As previously reported by Collider, the John Wick franchise has expanded to include various spin-offs and prequels, exploring the world and characters created by the original film. With Ballerina, fans can expect an action-packed ride that delves deeper into the John Wick universe.
According to Collider, the film promises to deliver an exciting and thrilling experience, with stunning performances and impressive action sequences. With Ian McShane’s return as Winston Scott, fans can expect a familiar yet fresh take on the character.
Collider’s Perri Nemiroff had the opportunity to discuss McShane’s vision for Winston’s past, providing valuable insights into the character’s backstory and motivations. As noted by Collider, McShane’s portrayal of Winston Scott has been widely praised, and his return in Ballerina is highly anticipated.
The article was originally published on Collider and can be found at https://collider.com/ballerina-winston-charon-backstory-explained-lance-reddick-ian-mcshane-the-continental/
