Image source: Hollywood Reporter
After more than a decade, Francis Lawrence’s adaptation of Constantine will finally have its long-awaited sequel, with Keanu Reeves reprising his role.
What do we know?
According to Deadline, Akiva Goldsman will write the script and produce the film with J.J. Abrams and Hannah Minghella of Bad Robot.
Lorenzo DiBonaventure and Erwin Stoff are also executive producers on the Constantine sequel.
Meanwhile, actor Keanu Reeves has for years expressed a desire to return for a Constantine sequel.
He has shared his enthusiasm with many outlets and said he has pitched for the making of the film over the years.
In 2020, Peter Stormare also posted his optimism for a sequel on Instagram, saying a sequel is in the works.
However, representatives of Warner Bros. did not respond to his message.
Read also: Community fans finally get close to getting the movie they campaigned for
A Constantine reboot series
In early 2021, Variety reported that HBO Max was launching a Constantine reboot series featuring J.J. Abrams as executive producer.
Variety later reported that the idea was scrapped and found somewhere other than Warner Bros. Television and Bad Robot would be “extremely high” in the draft.
The series was in development, titled Chimney, and was set to begin filming in 2023.
The project was looking for a Black British actor to bring the character of Vertigo to life, and Sope Dirisu was in talks to take on the role.
Since being restructured into HBO Max, the project has been shelved.
Reaction to the news
HBO Max’s Constantine reboot has been canceled in favor of Keanu Reeves’ sequel.
When the news broke last week, Sope Dirisu responded to the announcement on Twitter.
“Give them hell, king,” he wrote, adding a fanart of an older Keanu Reeves as Constantine.
While many fans were thrilled with the project, others were not that thrilled.
Some shared their disappointment and confusion over the development of the film, saying the sequel came a little later than when the original film came out.
Others questioned the initial mixed reception following the cancellation of the Batgirl movie.
References:
Constantine 2 in the works, Keanu Reeves to reprise starring role
