Constantine Needs A DCU Reboot More Than A Keanu Reeves Sequel

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Constantine (2005), the DC Comics adaptation that introduced Keanu Reeves as the chain-smoking occult detective. Today, with the franchise undergoing a complete cinematic overhaul, it’s time to reassess the character’s future. Is a rumored sequel with the John Wick actor the right path, or a fresh reboot within James Gunn’s new DCU the better choice?

At the time of its release, Constantine’s reception was middling, both at the box office, and by critics. Directed by Francis Lawrence, the thriller blended noir and the supernatural, elevated by a distinct visual style and Reeves’ ultracool persona. However, purely in terms of how it adapted its original source material, many believe the movie completely missed its mark.

Should John Constantine Join James Gunn’s DCU?

Why DC Studios Hasn’t Announced Constantine 2

A Constantine sequel with Keanu Reeves would undoubtedly ignite fan hype, and inevitably, box office revenue. But the real question is whether it aligns with the best interests of the evolving DC Studios, under the leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran. Speaking to Inverse recently, Reeves confirmed that he and director Francis Lawrence pitched a Constantine follow-up to DC Studios, with the story continuing in the same world as the 2005 film.

We’ve been trying to make this film for over a decade, and we just recently put a story together and pitched it to DC Studios and they said, ‘Okay’. So, we’re going to try and write a script. We’re not going off that (world) … John Constantine’s going to be tortured even more.

Is Constantine 2 Coming Out?

Earlier in 2022, Warner Bros. announced that Constantine 2 was in development, but there had been no updates since – aside from enthusiasm from the film’s lead actor and director. The Constantine sequel was notably missing from the list of projects under DC Studios’ Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. As it stands, the film would likely fall under DC’s Elseworlds banner if it continues with both Reeves and Lawrence at the helm. But it’s about time John Constantine joined a shared universe in a form that’s truer to Hellblazer.

John Constantine Fits Into Gods And Monsters

A DCU Reboot Might Be The Better Option

It’s hard to say no to the idea of seeing Keanu Reeves return as Constantine after two decades. But at the same time, the character is better off joining DC’s shared universe. Before getting his solo series through Hellblazer, John Constantine first appeared in a 1985 issue of Alan Moore’s Swamp Thing in DC Comics. With a confirmed Swamp Thing film – all set to be directed by Logan’s James Mangold – it would make more sense to reintroduce Constantine within this interconnected DCU rather than through a standalone Elseworlds project.

Considering that the DCU’s first chapter is quite literally called Gods and Monsters, Constantine could bridge the gap between the two concepts, thanks to his theological/spiritual ties. This is a character who casually interacts with the biblical God, the Devil, and angels. His presence would not only connect deeply with other supernatural characters in DC but also introduce some much-needed mystical elements to the wider DCU.

DC’s Elseworlds Stories Are Becoming Less Relevant

Apart from Matt Reeves’ The Batman Epic Crime Saga, there doesn’t seem to be much room for Elseworlds stories in the DC Universe anymore. It doesn’t make sense to randomly bring back a 20-year-old version of a niche DC character who doesn’t fit into the new world. Even recent iterations of marquee heroes like Batman and Superman weren’t spared by the reset. Instead, this is an opportunity to set up Justice League Dark, where John Constantine eventually becomes the team’s leader in the comics.

Keanu Reeves Isn’t The Only Constantine

It’s often forgotten that Keanu Reeves isn’t the only live-action John Constantine. Matt Ryan played a more comic-accurate version of Constantine – a blonde, British take that stayed truer to Hellblazer than Reeves’ version, even if they didn’t show him as a chain smoker. The actor portrayed Constantine in the CW’s Arrowverse, his own NBC series, and several animated projects. Despite his brilliant portrayal, the standalone show never got the attention it deserved due to low viewership and poor writing. Regardless, Matt Ryan’s role as Constantine deserves to be in the conversation for some all-time great comic book castings.

The DCU Deserves A New Constantine

Keanu’s Constantine Works Best Alone

In truth, 2005’s Constantine works far better as a self-contained movie – just loosely based on the DC Comics character – rather than a full-fledged adaptation. If not for this pressure, the Keanu Reeves film might already have had a sequel or two, much sooner. Today, the DC Universe’s resident tortured exorcist deserves a fresh take, where he can finally reach his full potential. There’s a whole world of terrifyingly realistic concepts and stories from the comics waiting to be adapted, and the studio should take note.

Could two Constantine projects work at once? Right now, Keanu Reeves’ global superstardom could do wonders for the character’s popularity. At the same time, it’s hard to imagine him as the main version of Constantine in the DCU if that project moves forward. In fact, Reeves’ Constantine feels more like Neo from The Matrix than John Constantine from Hellblazer. So even if the Elseworlds movie happens, the DCU still needs a proper version of Constantine, whether through a film or a series, right away.

Constantine

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Release Date

February 18, 2005

Runtime

121 Minutes

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Director

Francis Lawrence

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