In a sequel to Francis Lawrence and Keanu Reeves’ 2005 film Constantine, Keanu will play John Constantine again. Deadline claims that Lawrence will also direct again, with Akiva Goldsman penning the script. After the sustained success of John Wick and the long-awaited Matrix Resurrections last year, this announcement follows a lot of increased interest in Reeves. Moreover, only a few months ago, the diva indicated that she was interested in making a return to her role as the hellishly entertaining character. A Constantine sequel has made headlines before, so this isn’t the first time.
The announcement of this sequel film follows rumours from last year that HBO Max planned to produce a second series. Two years ago, on the occasion of Constantine’s 15th anniversary, an interview was conducted with Reeves, Lawrence, and Goldsman in which they discussed many behind-the-scenes aspects of filming the cult classic. It will be fascinating to see whether any of the concepts they explored for a potential sequel really make it into the film.
Goldsman’s Weed Road Pictures, together with Bad Robot’s J.J. Abrams and Hannah Minghella, will produce the second Constantine film. Even though Constantine was a commercial success upon its release seventeen years ago, no concrete preparations for a sequel were ever developed. Starring with Reeves were Rachel Weisz, Shia LaBeouf, Tilda Swinton, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Djimon Hounsou, and Gavin Rossdale in the 1992 original.
Although there is certainly an opportunity for them to return after the way the first film ended, it is still unknown if any of the actors will be repeating their roles. Since his debut in DC Comics, John Constantine has been reimagined in a wide variety of guises. For Netflix’s adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman, Jenna Coleman played a female version of the character, while in the Arrowverse, Matt Ryan portrayed the chain-smoking anti-hero.
We don’t know if this Constantine sequel will cancel out J. J. Abrams’ other Constantine movie, which was said to feature Hannibal Drsù as John Constantine. Despite the fact that details concerning the sequel are still sketchy, Reeves is keeping himself busy by entering production on Hulu’s version of The Devil in the White City next year, the same year John Wick 4 will hit theatres.