Why Constantine Needs a DCU Reboot Over a Keanu Sequel

Summary

A sequel to “Constantine” with Keanu Reeves could spark fan excitement and box office success.
Rebooting John Constantine within James Gunn’s DCU may be a more fitting move for the character.
Despite Reeves’ iconic portrayal, Matt Ryan’s Constantine in the Arrowverse also deserves recognition.

This year signifies the 20th anniversary of the 2005 DC Comics adaptation titled “Constantine”, which brought Keanu Reeves into the spotlight as the gritty, chain-smoking detective delving into the occult. With the entire franchise undergoing a dramatic makeover, it’s now relevant to reevaluate the character’s potential direction. The question remains: Should a sequel starring the John Wick actor be pursued, or would a fresh start within James Gunn’s upcoming DC Universe be more fitting?

Upon its debut, the response to Constantine was generally average, neither impressing at the box office nor earning critical acclaim. Francis Lawrence directed this thriller, which skillfully combined elements of noir and the supernatural, with a unique visual aesthetic and Keanu Reeves’ captivating cool demeanor adding to its appeal. However, when it comes to how well it interpreted its original source material, many viewers feel that the movie fell significantly short.

Should John Constantine Join James Gunn’s DCU?

Why DC Studios Hasn’t Announced Constantine 2

A sequel to the movie “Constantine,” featuring Keanu Reeves, is sure to spark excitement among fans and potentially boost ticket sales. However, the important issue is whether this new film fits with the goals of the developing DC Studios, under the guidance of James Gunn and Peter Safran. In a recent interview with “Inverse,” Reeves revealed that he and director Francis Lawrence proposed a continuation of the “Constantine” story to DC Studios, set in the same universe as the 2005 film.

For approximately ten years, we’ve been striving to create this movie, and only recently have we managed to formulate a compelling narrative. We then presented it to DC Studios, who gave their approval, saying ‘Go ahead’. Consequently, we plan on writing the script for this project. It’s important to clarify that we won’t be basing it directly on their world… Instead, John Constantine will experience even greater torment.

Is Constantine 2 Coming Out?

2022 saw Warner Bros. announce plans for Constantine 2, but since then, there has been little news – apart from the cast and crew expressing excitement. The sequel wasn’t included in DC Studios’ Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. If it moves forward with Reeves and Lawrence still involved, it might be categorized under the Elseworlds label. However, it’s high time John Constantine entered a shared universe in a way that reflects the spirit of Hellblazer.

John Constantine Fits Into Gods And Monsters

A DCU Reboot Might Be The Better Option

There’s a strong appeal in the prospect of Keanu Reeves reprising his role as Constantine, a gap of two decades since last we saw him. However, it seems more fitting for the character to be part of DC’s collective universe instead. Originally introduced in a 1985 issue of Alan Moore’s Swamp Thing within DC Comics, John Constantine made his initial appearance before getting his own series through Hellblazer. Given the confirmation of a Swamp Thing film, directed by James Mangold (of Logan fame), it would be more logical to reintroduce Constantine within this interconnected DC Universe rather than through an independent Elseworlds project.

Character	John Constantine
First Appearance	The Saga of the Swamp Thing #37 (1985)
Creators	Alan Moore Stephen R. Bissette John Totleben
Occupation	Occult detective Conman Magician
Publisher	DC Comics (originally under Vertigo imprint)

Given that the initial chapter of DCU is titled “Gods and Monsters“, Constantine could effectively link these two themes due to his religious/supernatural background. This individual has casual dealings with the biblical God, Satan, and angels. His inclusion would not only resonate strongly with other supernatural characters in DC, but also infuse a significant amount of mystical aspects into the broader DC Universe.

DC’s Elseworlds Stories Are Becoming Less Relevant

In terms of DC Universe storylines, it appears that Matt Reeves’ “The Batman Epic Crime Saga” has taken much of the spotlight, leaving little space for Elseworlds tales. Randomly reintroducing a character from 20 years ago, who doesn’t align with the current narrative, seems inappropriate given the new direction of the universe. This situation presents a chance to establish “Justice League Dark,” where the character John Constantine eventually assumes leadership within the comics.

Keanu Reeves Isn’t The Only Constantine

It’s easy to overlook the fact that Keanu Reeves isn’t the sole actor to bring John Constantine to life in live-action. Instead, Matt Ryan embodied a character more faithful to the comics – a blonde, British portrayal that adhered more closely to the Hellblazer series than Reeves’ version. Despite being shown as a non-smoker, Ryan played Constantine in the CW’s Arrowverse, his own NBC series, and various animated projects. Sadly, his standalone show didn’t garner the recognition it deserved because of low viewership and subpar writing. However, Matt Ryan’s performance as Constantine should undoubtedly be included in discussions about outstanding comic book character castings.

The DCU Deserves A New Constantine

Keanu’s Constantine Works Best Alone

To be honest, the 2005 film “Constantine” functions more effectively as a standalone movie, only somewhat inspired by the DC Comics character, rather than a comprehensive adaptation. If it weren’t for this expectation, the Keanu Reeves movie could have had sequels much earlier. Now, the tortured exorcist of the DC Universe is due for a modern reinterpretation, one that allows him to fully realize his potential. There are numerous chilling and realistic ideas and stories from the comics just waiting to be brought to life on screen, and the studio should definitely consider this.

Is it feasible for there to be two different adaptations of the character “Constantine” concurrently? At present, Keanu Reeves’ widespread fame could significantly boost the character’s recognition. However, it’s challenging to envision him as the primary Constantine in the DCU if the project progresses in that direction. Interestingly, Reeves’ portrayal of Constantine seems more reminiscent of Neo from “The Matrix” than John Constantine from “Hellblazer.” Therefore, even if an “Elseworlds” film materializes, the DCU requires a genuine adaptation of “Constantine,” whether through a movie or a series, as soon as possible.

2025-02-24 21:16