Ian McShane adds new context to shock ‘John Wick 3′ ending

‘John Wick: Chapter 4′ hits theaters on March 24, with Ian McShane returning as Continental owner Winston.

However, the hotel manager might have some explaining to do following the events of the previous instalment, ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum’.

What happened at the end of ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum’?

The previous film ended with Winston shooting Keanu Reeves’ John Wick, resulting in the hitman falling from the roof of the Continental.

Prior to that, Winston met with the Adjudicator of the High Table, and the pair come to an agreement that allowed the hotel manager to return to power within New York’s Continental.

When the Adjudicator asks what should be done about Wick, Winston ends up shooting him, with Reeves’ character falling several stories.

Speaking with Digital Spy, McShane explained the thought process behind Winston’s actions. He noted that while he’s always protected Wick because of their friendship, their friendship is fickle since he must appeal to the High Table.

“I think the one thing about Winston is, you’ve got, in the first three [movies]… he’s protecting John,” said McShane. “He’s trying to do his best. Except at the end of [John Wick] 3 when he shoots John.

“I would say that he knew he was wearing a bullet proof vest, so he shot him deliberately, but I mean, why question that? Is he acting in the best interest of the High Table or John?

“But this time, when Winston’s world is turned upside-down within 20 minutes of the movie by the actions that happen at the beginning – he very much is full-blown behind John. But by the end, is he or isn’t he? I don’t know. That’s a kind of good thing.

“What’s his relationship to John? He’s close. But is he actually related to John? You don’t know. I think that’s one thing that, without banging it on the head too much, keeps the sort of relationship fluid.”

What to expect from ‘John Wick: Chapter 4′

Expect Winston’s loyalties to the High Table and Wick to be tested once again in the newest instalment.

“With the price on his head ever increasing, Wick takes his fight against the High Table global as he seeks out the most powerful players in the underworld, from New York to Paris to Osaka to Berlin,” the official synopsis for the film reads.

Reeves and McShane return, along with Laurence Fishburne as the Bowery King. The late Lance Reddick will also feature as Continental Hotel concierge Charon.

There are also plenty of new faces, including Bill Skarsgård as the Marquis Vincent de Gramont, Donnie Yen as Caine, Hiroyuki Sanada as Shimazu Koji, Shamier Anderson as the Tracker/ Mr. Nobody, Clancy Brown as the Harbinger, Rina Sawayama as Akira and Scott Adkins as Killa.