When James Gunn and Peter Safran assumed leadership of DC Studios, they set out to create a new shared cinematic universe featuring DC’s heroes, rebooting the existing continuity into a unified timeline. However, the overwhelming success of Matt Reeves‘ The Batman led the studio to establish the Elseworlds label, designed for projects that exist independently from the main DC Universe (DCU). This approach enables the studio to back filmmaker-driven movies that do not require connections to the larger narrative, opening the door for standalone films if their quality merits production. This strategy has rekindled hope among fans of the 2005 cult hit Constantine that a long-awaited sequel starring Keanu Reeves could finally materialize.
James Gunn Comments on the Status of a Constantine 2 Film
In a recent discussion with BobaTalks, DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn addressed the possibility of a sequel to Constantine. Gunn explained,
I’ve discussed it on and off. I’ve discussed it with Keanu,
emphasizing that while talks have happened, no script has yet been presented to him. He elaborated,
I mean, I think that’s a great group of guys. I like all those people a lot, I think they are talented. But I have not read any script yet.
Despite reports from Keanu Reeves indicating that a fresh draft of the Constantine 2 screenplay was completed and ready for studio review, Gunn’s remarks clarify that he has not seen the script, underscoring the film’s uncertain current development stage.
The Origin and Cult Status of the Original Constantine Movie
Francis Lawrence’s 2005 Constantine established a strong cult following over the last twenty years, known for its dark atmosphere and horror elements. Both Keanu Reeves and Francis Lawrence have shown enduring enthusiasm for revisiting the character, pushing for a sequel since 2022. The creative team has been working diligently on crafting a sequel narrative that meets their elevated expectations, with a specific emphasis on making the follow-up a hard R-rated film that dives deeper into the source material’s gritty and violent tone, something the original movie was unable to fully explore. However, the restructuring of DC’s creative approach under Warner Bros. Discovery and the founding of DC Studios have complicated the certainty of Constantine 2’s production.
Script Quality as the Decisive Factor for Constantine’s Return
Despite the eagerness of the creative team and the strong fan demand, the future of Constantine 2 ultimately hinges on the strength of its screenplay. James Gunn has prioritized exceptional scripts for DC projects, especially those released under the Elseworlds banner. This means that the Constantine sequel must impress Gunn creatively in order to advance. While this puts pressure on its development, fans can take comfort in knowing that any sequel will have undergone rigorous evaluation, ensuring that the movie only proceeds if it offers a truly compelling and well-crafted story. A Constantine 2 film that emerges because of its script’s excellence, rather than pure nostalgia, would honor the character’s significance and long-standing fanbase.
What Fans Want from a Constantine Sequel
The fan community and creative team alike wonder what narrative elements would convince DC Studios to approve the follow-up. The story’s ability to embrace the darker aspects of John Constantine as a cynical exorcist while offering an intense, mature film experience seems crucial, aligning with the franchise’s cult identity. Fans are actively invited to share their opinions about what kind of story might lead to greenlighting Constantine 2, showing the ongoing excitement and speculation around the character’s return to the big screen.
