Constantine 2: The Current Status of the Sequel with Keanu Reeves

There have been discussions about a sequel to the cult film "Constantine" for years. Keanu Reeves would like to return to his role as John Constantine – and talks are already underway. DC boss James Gunn recently commented on the current status of the project on the YouTube channel BobaTalks.

"I've discussed it on and off. I've discussed it with Keanu. [...] But I have not read any script yet."

Keanu Reeves talks about Constantine 2

A few weeks earlier, Reeves had spoken about the sequel in an interview with the portal Fandango. According to him, a draft script already exists. The next step is now to present the script to DC Studios. It now remains to be seen how the studio bosses will react. However, given the cult status of the first film and Reeves' popularity, a sequel does not seem so unlikely.

The plot

At the heart of "Constantine" is the detective of the same name, who specializes in supernatural cases. In the 2005 film, he meets detective Angela Dodson (Rachel Weisz) who is investigating the mysterious death of her twin sister. What exactly the sequel will be about is still unknown.

Francis Lawrence, director of the first film, recently spoke to the entertainment portal Collider about a "really cool" idea for the sequel. Inspiration for the story was taken from the "Hellblazer" comics. However, so far there is nothing to suggest that "Constantine 2" is based on a specific comic. Instead, the sequel is likely to be a mixture of different elements – supplemented by new ideas from Lawrence, screenwriter Akiva Goldsman and Reeves. It will be interesting to see how the project develops. We'll keep you up to date!

Constantine: Between heaven, hell and cult status

When "Constantine" was released in cinemas in 2005, the film was received rather mixed. Over time, however, the dark comic adaptation developed into an insider tip – and now enjoys cult status among fans. A mixture of neo-noir, occultism and superhero cinema, carried by a charismatic Keanu Reeves, made the film a special contribution to the genre of comic book adaptations.

An antihero with a mission

At the center of the story is John Constantine, a chain-smoking exorcist, occultist and cynic who walks between the worlds of heaven and hell. Constantine has the gift of recognizing angels and demons operating on earth – and this is exactly what makes him a man with a mission: he is trying to earn a ticket to heaven by exorcising demons, because after a previous suicide attempt, his soul is actually destined for hell.

The plot begins when Constantine is drawn into a mysterious case: Detective Angela Dodson doesn't believe in the alleged suicide of her twin sister Isabel. Together with Constantine, she delves deeper into a conspiracy in which nothing less than the balance between good and evil is at stake. In the background, Lucifer (Peter Stormare) is pulling his strings, as is the angel Gabriel (Tilda Swinton).

Visual and atmospheric strengths

Director Francis Lawrence (later known for "I Am Legend" and "The Hunger Games" series) created a visually impressive world with "Constantine", which impresses with its dark colors, religious symbolism and strong set design. The depiction of hell as a dilapidated reflection of our world, whipped by a stormy wind, is still one of the most memorable images in the film. The background music – from dark, spherical sounds to brute sound effects – also contributes to the dense atmosphere.

Why Constantine is cult today

Despite mixed reviews at the start (many found the plot too convoluted and the tone too dark) , the film found a loyal fan base over time. There are several reasons for this: Among them, of course, is "John Wick" and "The Matrix" star Keanu Reeves as the headstrong Constantine. Although his portrayal deviates from the comic book, Reeves' style fits the dark mood perfectly.

Another important point is the genre mix: "Constantine" is neither classic horror nor a typical superhero film. It is somewhere in between – with elements of detective film, occult thriller and apocalypse scenario. This is precisely what sets it apart from many other comic book adaptations of its time. And the world of "Constantine" is also interesting: the film hints at a deeper mythology – a world full of rules, agreements between heaven and hell, supernatural powers and magical artifacts.

What was once seen as a stylistically unusual comic adaptation is now appreciated as a visually striking, atmospherically dense film. So it's no wonder that "Constantine 2" is still a topic of conversation two decades after the first film.

However, Keanu Reeves doesn't just want to return as John Constantine: A new "John Wick" film with the superstar is also planned. You can find out all about it in our movie preview!