Mel Gibson Joining ‘John Wick’ Prequel TV Series Has People Voicing Concerns

65-year-old Mel Gibson has been revealed as a cast member on 'The Continental,' the upcoming 'John Wick' prequel series produced coming to Starz.

Mel Gibson at the French Open 2021
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Photo by Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

Mel Gibson at the French Open 2021

Mel Gibson has been revealed as a cast member on The Continental, the upcoming John Wick prequel series produced for Starz by Lionsgate Television. And the news has fans of the series scratching their heads. 

Deadline reports that 65-year-old Gibson will play a character named Cormac, and it has yet to be revealed who will take on the role of main character Winston Scott. The series will serve as the hotel-for-assassins origin story, as Scott has to deal with his past in a 1975 New York City.

Gibson first appeared on television in The Sullivans from 1976-83, and did so last in 2005 on the ABC sitcom Complete Savages. But viewers aren’t too keen on the actor making a return any time soon. 

Gibson’s career, of course, has been filled with controversy—from an anti-Semitic rant following a DUI, to 2010 leaked tapes involving virulently racist remarks to his then-girlfriend, to allegations of physical abuse and homophobic comments, as well. His 2016 film Hacksaw Ridge still earned six Oscar nods, but many viewers are far from forgetting his past actions, and some are irritated he’s been tapped for the John Wick prequel series. 

See what people on Twitter have to say about Mel Gibson’s casting in The Continental below. 

Mel: So tell me about this John Wick thing.
Agent: Well, it's about this mysterious, secret cabal that rules the w-
Mel: (Signs the contract so fast his pen clips straght through the paper) https://t.co/eVRzlrdGWL

— Jingleghost (@JeremyMonjo) October 18, 2021

not one mention of the man's hatred of Jews and Black people in this article. nothing about why this shithole decision might be controversial. just pure promotional garbage. https://t.co/Ufi6HOuCHa

— Scott Weinberg (@scottEmovienerd) October 18, 2021

MEL Gibson? Like THAT Mel Gibson?

— Dave Schilling (@dave_schilling) October 18, 2021

Remember when Mel Gibson threatened the mother of his child in a series of leaked voicemails? Cause Hollywood studios sure don't! https://t.co/QSrZTITG4P

— Olivia Truffaut-Wong (@iWatchiAm) October 18, 2021

well if there’s one thing we know Mel Gibson does believe in it’s the existence of a shadowy cabal https://t.co/QN2wveUJ8v

— Brandy Jensen (@BrandyLJensen) October 18, 2021

But tell me again how "Cancel Culture" ruins lives. https://t.co/6laeeD9YOT

— Mala (@badnecklace) October 18, 2021

Breaking: John Wick prequel no longer matters. https://t.co/Lx9khVfSZO

— Damian Holbrook (@damianholbrook) October 18, 2021

not exactly eager to watch the guy who claims my ancestors are responsible for all the wars in the world in a show about assassins

— evan romano (@EvanRomano) October 18, 2021

If we can't keep Mel GIbson canceled, then cancel culture 100% does not exist.

— 🤌🏾 Imani Gandy 👆🏾 (@AngryBlackLady) October 18, 2021

You’ve got a billion dollar action franchise starring one of America’s most beloved actors in Keanu Reeves, what do you do next with the IP?

If your answer was attach it to a prequel series at Starz featuring notorious antisemite, homophobe, and abuser Mel Gibson, come on down. https://t.co/5l7Ih58cMK

— southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) October 18, 2021

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