Warner Bros. is revisiting a DC film franchise introduced 17 years ago, the 2005’s Constantine starring Keanu Reeves and helmed by Francis Lawrence. To DC fans’ surprise, the John Wick star will reprise as the Occult expert in the sequel dubbed Constantine 2. But it’s a bittersweet moment as news also emerged that HBO Max scrapped J.J. Robot’s in-development John Constantine series.
Reeves has been candid about his desire to explore the Constantine character again, in fact, the 58-year-old action star has repeatedly admitted his interest to revisit DC’s Hellblazer but failed to get Warner Bros. approval. During The Matrix Resurrections promotions, Reeves said openly, “I’ve tried” to get a follow-up made when quizzed by Stephen Colbert on the Late Show. Fortunately, it seems his plea was heard by Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy, as Deadline reports it was the two Warner Bros. CEOs that shepherded the deal.
The general reaction among DCEU fans remains positive but many were also looking forward to a comic accurate adaptation of John Constantine, similar to Matt Ryan’s adaptations in The CW’s DCTV. Nonetheless, it seems to be the only positive news of the week for WB after THR’s scathing report highlighted further problems for the studio in finding a new DC chief on the likes of Kevin Feige. On the bright side, some are speculating Reeves’ Constantine could pave the way for a Justice League Dark feature. Readers can find reactions below.
So they're officially making Constantine 2 and Keanu Reeves is gonna be reprising the role as the titular character.
For those that are unaware, he has consistently talked about how it would be his top character to revisit, but has never been able to make it happen.
Until now. pic.twitter.com/w6qKcZdFY2
— CHRONO TERMINUS ⏱️ (@CHRONO_TERMINUS) September 17, 2022
Constantine 2 should honestly plant the seeds for Justice League Dark.
Keanu’s name is the hottest it’s been since the original Matrix and you could easily build this team up Avengers style. pic.twitter.com/AHyzhTMTxB
— The Moonlight Warrior 🌙 (@BlackMajikMan90) September 16, 2022
It's happening! Constantine II pic.twitter.com/5ZJQldAjSk
— BossLogic (@Bosslogic) September 16, 2022
Don't you understand how f*king cool this would be?! #JusticeLeague #Constantine pic.twitter.com/RqXc8r3k1b
— Chris Wong-Swenson⚡ (@pingpongflix) September 16, 2022
this was Keanu 9 months ago speaking about wanting to return as Constantine and today he got a sequel confirmed im happy for him pic.twitter.com/Fd12q8NqKz
— jxcekage (@jxcekage) September 17, 2022
Opens Twitter..
"Constantine sequel starring Keanu Reeves is official" pic.twitter.com/c97Lo5ukOB
— Comic Movie Marks (@ComicMovieMarks) September 16, 2022
This is HUGE.
COMMON SENSE FINALLY AT WBD
https://t.co/QeIapPZNme— Carlos The Prophet Digital (@BobDigi69) September 16, 2022
For those of us who have DEFENDED #Constantine FOR YEARS and defended #KeanuReeves 's work in it can finally celebrate that a sequel is happening!
So much to love here: Rachel Weisz, Tilda as Gabriel, Hounsou's Papa Midnite & Stormare's Lucifer.
Hope the sequel is just as good! https://t.co/TVVnYVVkLr
— John Rocha @ #TheOutlawNation (@TheRochaSays) September 17, 2022
OK listen I’m all in for different adaptations. But the fact that we are going to be having 2 live action Constantine’s and he isn’t one of them is a bit frustrating Lmao pic.twitter.com/pH02wBdTA0
— Daren | INFOTEX 🏳️🌈⚡️ (@Daren_Mcclimans) September 16, 2022
Where the *fuck* were all you CONSTANTINE-loving motherfuckers when the movie came out & everybody thought those of us who enjoyed it were insane and stupid?
— Bilge Ebiri (@BilgeEbiri) September 16, 2022
KEANU CONSTANTINE IS BACK I WON pic.twitter.com/PdwZ76acVn
— Silk Spectre (@SSilkSpectre) September 16, 2022
Holy shit!!!! Constantine 2 is happening. Keanu Reeves my goat ♥️😭 pic.twitter.com/aMfmWiBp7K
— 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝘁 of North (@Itssan17) September 16, 2022
Imagine if this is what they build up to in the DCEU. Justice League and JL Dark teaming up against Darkseid.
Keanu back as Constantine is a huge draw. Now bring back @VancityReynolds as Hal Jordan Green Lantern alongside @WayneTCarr 🤞🏼 pic.twitter.com/K8Ie3R8aFe
— Krypton Caged ™ (@kryptoncaged) September 16, 2022
Constantine’s success in live-action so far certainly makes the B-list character look bankable for the new leadership, unlike Batgirl. The characters’ distant relative, Johanna Constantine was such a hit in Netflix’s Sandman series that there’s been a continued effort from DC fans to get a spin-off greenlit.
It’s unknown if the upcoming sequel will see more actors from the original return, like Peter Stormare’s Lucifer Morningstar and Djimon Hounsou’s Midnite. Furthermore, it’s unclear if the movie would be considered an elseworld franchise like Todd Philips’ Joker or if Constantine is part of the DC Extended Universe. But the bigger question remains what the leadership has planned for the IP as two more HBO Max projects, Constantine and Madame X were scrapped to be sold off to potential buyers. This came as insiders also predict Warner Bros. Discovery possibly merging with NBCUniversal after April 2024.
Weed Road Production financing the project but J.J. Abrams‘ Bad Robots is also attached to produce alongside Hannah Minghella, Akiva Goldsman is set to scribe the screenplay. Constantine 2 does not have a release date attached yet but will be directed by Lawrence.
