Keanu Reeves appeared in 2005’s superhero horror movie Constantine, directed by Francis Lawrence which was loosely based on the DC Comics/Vertigo Comics Hellblazer graphic novels. The actor portrayed the character of a cynical exorcist in the movie, which also starred Tilda Swinton, Shia LaBeouf, Rachel Weisz, and more.
Upon its release, Constantine received mixed reviews from the audience and the critics but over the years managed to attain the status of a cult film. Fans of Keanu Reeves were excited when a sequel was announced back in 2022 and the movie is currently in development but an actor recently revealed, they’d not be returning for the sequel.
Tilda Swinton gives a disappointing update on Keanu Reeves starrer Constantine 2
Director Francis Lawrence confirmed back in 2022 that they are working on developing the sequel of Constantine with Keanu Reeves reprising his role as cynical exorcist. Producer Akiva Goldsman is reportedly writing the screenplay of a much-awaited movie.
Tilda Swinton who had portrayed the character of Gabriel; a half-breed Archangel with disdain for humanity was recently asked if she’d be returning for the sequel. In an interview with Inverse shared,
“I’m sorry to have to tell you that I know nothing about this sequel except that I’ve heard it’s happening. Unless they’re very late in calling me, I don’t think Gabriel will be flapping his/her wings.”
The actress further added,
“I did hear a rumor, I don’t know if you heard it, that Keanu was going to play Gabriel. Which would be beautiful.”
In Constantine, the character of Gabriel is depicted as an angel who transforms into a human form, both male and female with a profound disdain for humanity. The movie is slated to be a part of DC Studios’ Elseworlds branding joining the sequels of Matt Reeves’ The Batman and Todd Phillips’ Joker.
Francis Lawrence talks about the obstacles Keanu Reeves starrer Constantine 2 has had to face
Back in 2023, during an interview with THR, director Francis Lawrence was asked if they had assumed that the sequel of Constantine was dead after Warner Bros. and DC Studios changed their regimes. To which he said,
“No, but we’ve had many obstacles. Me, Keanu, Akiva have tried over the years to wrangle some control of the character again because it had been handed over. I think NBC did a TV show and then J.J. Abrams was going to try and do something. And then the regime at DC changed, and they’ve got their plans.”
Lawrence acknowledged that they have managed to wrangle some control and started working on some ideas for Constantine 2 which they are excited about. Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura in an interview with ComicBook also mentioned the sequel adding that he hopes that things keep moving forward. He added,
“I hope it does, because it’s a great character. Great in comic books, and it was great making that first movie. It’s such an alternative kind of character.”
Matt Ryan who had played the character of John Constantine on TV for years shared with ComicBook back in 2021,
“I was always working within a certain framework with John, or trying to. Legends is a really fun, wacky show, and now I don’t have to look after John so much. As a fan, I’m so excited to see where he’s going to go now. And I can actually get excited about that, whether it’s on TV or whether it’s in a movie or Keanu’s playing or what have you.”
The actor said that he is just excited to see what John Constantine would be doing next acknowledging that he is his biggest fan.
Constantine 2 is in development and Constantine is streaming on Netflix.
