Last September, DC fans were told some pretty crazy news. It turned out that Warner Bros. And DC Studios is currently developing “Constantine 2” — a direct sequel to John Constantine’s film starring Keanu Reeves, which was released back in 2005. It seemed a bit coincidental at the time that a follow-up project would be announced as working 17 years after the original, but obviously it wasn’t just something that “happened”: Reeves spent years and years trying to give the film the green light, and last fall he finally got the job done. .
In the latest issue of Total Film (via Slash Film), there is an interview with Keanu Reeves, and during the conversation, the beloved actor was asked if he had “unfinished business” with the role of John Constantine. He explained that this was probably not the best way to express it, and his desire to include Constantine 2 in the development was more to do with his appreciation for the character. Reeves said,
I don’t know if it was a work in progress, but it was definitely a role I loved. And I thought Francis Lawrence, the director, did an amazing job. I loved playing this character, and I really liked the movie. I’m like, [takes Oliver Twist’s voice] “Can I have some more?…I asked almost every year. I would say: “Can I please?” [and] they would say, “No, no!”
Now, after years of “No” and regime change behind the scenes at DC Studios, Keanu Reeves is apparently fulfilling his wish.
“Constantine” directed by Francis Lawrence (best known for his contribution to the “Hunger Games” franchise) tells the story of the eponymous character, a sorcerer and occult detective specializing in exorcism. The film received what could be called a mediocre reaction from professional critics, and caused some disdain from die-hard fans for outstanding changes to the source material (including changing the character’s hair color and country of origin), but it was a hit. . Before the film was shown in theaters worldwide, it earned $230.9 million and eventually became the fifteenth biggest release of the year.
The blockbuster has earned a significant number of fans in the years since it hit the big screen. Other versions of John Constantine have become prominent in pop culture (Matt Ryan played the character in Arrow, and Jenna Coleman portrays a gender-oriented version in Netflix’s Sandman), but many continue to associate this role with Keanu Reeves.
Now it seems that DC Studios is profiting from love, and Keanu Reeves is clearly happy that this is happening. In the months after it was announced that “Constantine 2” was in development, Francis Lawrence talked about making the film as a better reflection of the source material, and it looks like the dark adventure will be targeted for an R rating.
If you are feeling excited right now and want to give Konstantin with Keanu Reeves in the title role a first/another viewing, the movie is very easy to find on the Internet — all you need is a subscription to HBO Max. Enjoy watching and follow the news about Constantine 2 here on CinemaBlend.
