Development for the long-awaited Keanu Reeves Constantine 2 movie update faces fresh uncertainty as new details emerge about the project’s strict requirements at DC Studios. James Gunn, DC Studios’ co-CEO, has outlined that only an exceptional script will move Elseworlds films like Constantine 2 forward, casting doubts on when or if audiences will see Reeves reprise his iconic role.
Constantine 2’s Fate Uncertain Amid High Standards at DC Studios
Keanu Reeves has worked for years to revive John Constantine on screen, following the cult growth of the original 2005 film despite its modest box office performance. Fans and critics have celebrated different portrayals of the character—including Matt Ryan’s comic-accurate version—but Reeves has won recognition for his unique and committed take on the supernatural detective. After years of campaigning, Reeves successfully launched development on a Constantine sequel, now being positioned as part of DC’s Elseworlds lineup, which operates independently from James Gunn’s core DC Universe projects.
The Elseworlds designation allows certain stories to exist in alternate continuities, separate from the official storylines of DC’s new cinematic universe. Despite this advantage, doubts about Constantine 2’s prospects have persisted, and recent remarks from James Gunn have provided new context about the steep requirements facing any new Elseworlds project at DC Studios.
James Gunn Signals Strict Creative Demands for Elseworlds Films
During a recent press tour for DC’s upcoming Superman movie, James Gunn discussed the challenges of bringing new, non-mainline stories to the big screen. Addressing Entertainment Weekly, Gunn revealed that a
“very, very, very famous movie actor”
—widely believed to reference Keanu Reeves—approached him with a proposal for an Elseworlds project. Gunn emphasized the importance of quality, stating,
“So there’s definitely room for people to tell other stories…And when it’s somebody who’s important, like Matt Reeves — who I’ve had an admiration for a long time as one of the very, very few filmmakers who is out there making spectacle, commercial fair, that is also an artist — then you have to stand up and listen. The script still needs to be good. We’re not going to make it unless we like the script. But I think that there are exceptions. I told it to one person who came in and pitched something that was an Elseworlds tale. It was a very, very, very famous movie actor. I said, ‘It depends on how the screenplay comes out…If it’s a masterpiece, I’ll make it, but it has to be a masterpiece.’ [Laughs] And he is like, ‘I don’t know if it’s a masterpiece.’ He got all funny. He’s still working on it, though. He is still trying to do it, so we’ll see. Masterpiece might be pushing it, but it’s got to be really great. If it’s an Elseworlds tale, then it’s worth telling something that might tend to confuse a few people. But also part of our thing is really being clear about what is Elseworlds and what is DCU. And the other thing is not just giving away properties like they’re party favors to people doing low-budget TV shows or stuff that we have no quality control over because we’re making a few thousand dollars on the rights. It is having some sense of quality control over everything.”
—James Gunn, DC Studios co-CEO
Gunn’s comments clarify that while exceptions are possible, only scripts that reach the level of a “masterpiece” will be considered for Elseworlds projects. Even star-driven pitches from established actors must clear this bar. When asked if the project would move forward, Gunn repeated,
“It depends on how the screenplay comes out…If it’s a masterpiece, I’ll make it, but it has to be a masterpiece.”
—James Gunn, DC Studios co-CEO. The unnamed actor reportedly responded,
“I don’t know if it’s a masterpiece.”
Gunn explained that the actor is still refining the script, signaling continued work but no immediate greenlight.
Keanu Reeves Engaged but Not Satisfied with Constantine 2 Script Progress
Clues in James Gunn’s interview and recent updates from cast members suggest that Keanu Reeves is indeed the star working to develop the Keanu Reeves Constantine 2 movie update. With ongoing successful franchises like John Wick and a revived Matrix trilogy in his resume, Reeves easily fits Gunn’s description of a “very famous” actor with ties to DC.
In May, Peter Stormare—who played Lucifer in the original Constantine—shared that Keanu Reeves was not satisfied with the current draft of the script. According to Stormare, Reeves wants the sequel to capture the essence of the first film, while the studio seems to favor a flashier approach with bigger set pieces, likely to address the earlier movie’s lackluster box office. This creative tension matches Gunn’s mention of the “high bar” and the ongoing effort to produce a script worthy of DC Studios’ approval.
Strict Elseworlds Guidelines Leave Constantine 2’s Future Hanging
Looking ahead, Constantine 2 faces significant hurdles before entering production. DC Studios under James Gunn and Peter Safran have demonstrated a willingness to greenlight unconventional projects, but only when scripts are exceptional. For example, Mike Flanagan’s Clayface standalone was not originally part of the studio’s roadmap, but after an impressive script, the project advanced, with casting underway for a 2026 release.
Constantine 2’s development under the Elseworlds banner offers flexibility, but James Gunn’s expectations for a “masterpiece” script make the path to production even more challenging. The sequel can only proceed if Reeves, the studio, and the creative team deliver a screenplay that surpasses typical standards. DC Studios’ recent focus on clear brand separation—distinguishing Elseworlds from the core DCU—underscores their renewed commitment to quality control and careful oversight of franchise properties.
The Ongoing Struggle and What It Means for Fans
While James Gunn’s recent statements set a demanding standard, they also reassure fans that projects like Constantine 2 will only advance if they have strong artistic merit. For Keanu Reeves, who remains committed to shaping the story of John Constantine, the journey is complicated by expectations from both executives and the fanbase. Should the project satisfy DC Studios’ criteria, audiences may be treated to a sequel that lives up to the enduring legacy of the original film.
For now, the Keanu Reeves Constantine 2 movie update remains in flux. James Gunn’s evolving vision for the studio leaves room for passion-led stories, but only those of rare quality will move forward. Watch for future announcements as the creative team continues to refine the script, aware that only an outstanding screenplay will secure Constantine 2 its place in DC’s expanding cinematic universe.
Constantine 2 promises to follow exorcist John Constantine as he battles supernatural forces, picking up after the original’s cult success, but only if its creative team can deliver the exceptional story that Gunn demands.
- Keanu Reeves – John Constantine
