Keanu Reeves is eagerly expressing his desire to portray John Constantine once more in the highly anticipated Constantine 2 project, which is currently being developed by the talented duo of Francis Lawrence and Akiva Goldsman. The prospect of Reeves returning to this iconic role has fans buzzing with excitement, as he brought a unique depth and charisma to the character that has left a lasting impression since the original film’s release.
After two decades since the premiere of the DC Comics adaptation Constantine (watch it HERE), the much-anticipated sequel is finally making progress, with director Francis Lawrence returning to guide the project and star Keanu Reeves reprising his role as the enigmatic occult expert John Constantine. While the development has been slow, with years passing since the initial announcement, there is renewed hope that production may commence soon. Reports indicate that a script for Constantine 2 was delivered to executive producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura about five months ago. In a recent update, Reeves shared that he is “aching” to step back into the shoes of Constantine, further fueling excitement among fans.
The original Constantine film, scripted by Kevin Brodbin and Frank Cappello, featured a gripping storyline: As a suicide survivor, demon hunter John Constantine finds himself grappling with the knowledge that a one-way ticket to hell awaits him unless he can amass enough goodwill to ascend God’s stairway to heaven. His journey leads him to assist policewoman Angela Dodson in investigating her twin sister’s mysterious suicide, thrusting him into a perilous supernatural conflict involving both demonic and angelic forces. This narrative draws inspiration from the acclaimed DC/Vertigo “Hellblazer” comics. The film also boasted a strong supporting cast, including Rachel Weisz, Shia LaBeouf, Tilda Swinton, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Djimon Hounsou, Gavin Rossdale, and Peter Stormare.
Akiva Goldsman, a producer on the first film, is now taking the reins as the writer for Constantine 2, collaborating with J.J. Abrams and Hannah Minghella to produce the sequel. Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Erwin Stoff will serve as executive producers, ensuring a strong team is in place to deliver a compelling follow-up to the original film.
Francis Lawrence has openly expressed his regret regarding the first Constantine, particularly about its initial PG-13 rating, which ultimately transitioned to an R rating. With the sequel, he aims to target an R rating from the outset, allowing for a darker and more intense exploration of the themes and elements that define Constantine’s world.
During a recent interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Lawrence shared insights into the creative process, stating that he, Reeves, and Goldsman have been collaborating closely to develop some exciting ideas for the sequel. He expressed enthusiasm about their progress, mentioning they are “pretty close” to finalizing a “workable” script. Reeves echoed this sentiment, revealing his eagerness to portray Constantine once again, stating, ?What Akiva and Francis have come up with and the ideas, I?m aching to play this guy.?
It?s important to note that while Constantine 2 is indeed a DC Comics adaptation, it will not be incorporated into the broader DC Universe currently being established by James Gunn and Peter Safran. This sequel is classified as an Elseworlds project, similar to The Penguin and Matt Reeves? upcoming The Batman Part II, allowing for creative freedom and a distinct narrative direction outside the main franchise.
Are you excited about the possibility of seeing Keanu Reeves revive his role as John Constantine in Constantine 2? We?d love to hear your thoughts and expectations regarding this upcoming film, so feel free to share your comments below!
