After nearly two decades of anticipation, the development of "Constantine 2" seems to be gaining steam, much to the delight of fans who have longed for the return of Keanu Reeves as the beloved occult detective. The sequel, having recently received the green light for script development, marks an intriguing moment for the DC character, who first captivated audiences in the 2005 film directed by Francis Lawrence.
Keanu Reeves, who brought the enigmatic John Constantine to life two decades ago, expressed optimism during discussions about the new film. He revealed, "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" (reported by Inverse). This confirmation echoes years of fervent requests from fans yearning for more of the chain-smoking exorcist.
Originally released on February 18, 2005, the first "Constantine" film had mixed reviews, earning around $230 million globally. Though initially criticized, it found its footing as a cult classic. The film's unique blend of supernatural horror and noir—marked by its distinctive visual style and Reeves' portrayal—helped it resonate with audiences even if critics had reservations about its fidelity to the source material. Famed critic Roger Ebert included the film on his list of "most hated" but subsequent re-evaluations of its production design and performances, particularly by Peter Stormare and Tilda Swinton, have been more favorable.
Reflecting on the original film's legacy, director Francis Lawrence recently indicated excitement for the sequel's direction, stating, "Let’s do the R-rated, scarier version of a Constantine sequel" (reported by Inverse). This commitment to crafting a more intense narrative aims to align with fan expectations, as many believe the first installment could have pushed boundaries much farther than it did.
With the character's involvement, there's speculation about how Constantine integrates within the upcoming DC cinematic universe, especially with plans for projects like Swamp Thing. This potential link to other iconic figures could help weave his story more intricately within the DC fabric. Lawrence noted, "One of the biggest things for me about the first one was we followed, per Warner Bros., the rules to make a PG-13 movie... But I would have really made it much scarier and much more violent" (reported by Inverse).
Reeves has teased the sequel promises to continue exploring the darker elements of Constantine's world, hinting, "John Constantine's going to be tortured even more" (reported by Inverse). This notion aligns with the character's experiences as depicted throughout the Hellblazer comics—a narrative rich with theological confrontations, moral ambiguity, and supernatural engagement.
Despite the excitement surrounding Reeves’ return, the film's path remains uncertain. Currently, DC Studios, under the leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran, has not formally confirmed the project as part of their new cinematic direction. Therefore, fans are left on edge, waiting to see if this second chance for Constantine is realized.
Importantly, Reeves is not the only actor synonymous with John Constantine; Matt Ryan's portrayal across various DC television shows and animated features has been noted for its closer adherence to the comic's origins. Ryan’s iteration brought forth key aspects of Constantine, particularly his British background and complex personality traits, which many die-hard fans value. The upcoming DC direction might even create room for multiple concurrent interpretations of the character, tapping both Reeves' global super-stardom as well as the authenticity Ryan reinvigorates.
While Reeves' return as the chain-smoking demon hunter garners excitement, there remains the intrinsic challenge of balance. His character from the first film felt akin to another role he played—Neo from the Matrix, raising questions about his ability to embody Constantine within the modern cinematic era fully. At present, there is widespread consensus: the DC universe would greatly benefit from introducing multiple interpretations of such rich characters, with Reeves' version possibly standing alone as its own narrative.
By reexamining the character's nature, it appears audiences may finally see the full potential of John Constantine, reimagined through lenses of modern fears, ethics, and cinematic techniques.
Whether "Constantine 2" can successfully revive interest or pave new paths within the expansive DC multiverse may depend upon how storyteller choices evolve. With promising developments signaling exciting times for fans of the franchise, the legacy of Constantine—both old and new—will continue to be explored as filmmakers endeavor to fully translate comic book nuances to screen.