Based on DC's Hellblazer series, the 2005 comic book flick Constantine became an unlikely
cult favorite despite changing just about everything from the source material in order
to fit star Keanu Reeves.
Yet despite its popularity, there's still no sign of a second installment in the franchise.
Here's a look at why we never got to see a Constantine sequel.
Keanu Reeves wasn't interested
After the original film was released, director Francis Lawrence said that he wanted to do
a sequel.
And following the success of his 2007 hit I Am Legend, he had the clout to make it happen.
Just one problem: Reeves didn't want to do any sequels, ever, because he said he hadn't
played any parts interesting enough to revisit.
“God I hate this part.”
Since then, he's changed his tune, stating in a 2014 Reddit "Ask Me Anything" session
that
"I love Constantine, too.
I loved playing John Constantine.
I wish there was a sequel.
With me in it."
NOW you tell us!
It wasn't a hit
Most comic book movies seem to fall into one of two categories: gigantic mega-blockbusters,
like The Avengers, or complete box office disasters, like Green Lantern.
"I know, right?!"
But Constantine fell into the middle ground, earning $230 million worldwide against a $100
million budget.
That's a decent return, but not spectacular enough to ensure a sequel would get made,
especially since the franchise's R rating effectively ruled out the teenagers who usually
make up the target audience for comic book films.
Sure, if Constantine had done Deadpool numbers, a sequel would have gotten the green light
on opening weekend.
But it didn't.
“Kay guys!
Let’s get out there and make a difference!
You know what to do.”
The pitch got tossed
Constantine director Francis Lawrence has tried a few times to get a sequel off the
ground, using a script called "Through the Eye of the Needle" by the screenwriter of
the original film, Frank A. Cappello.
The plan for the sequel, which reportedly was based on an original idea rather than
a story from the comics, was to do a smaller film with a $35 million budget and make it
a hard R, which sounds pretty awesome for a movie about an occult detective.
“Fresh meat.
Finger-licking good.”
Unfortunately, the suits didn't find it as interesting as Lawrence, and the studio passed.
Maybe it was all just a test?
“It’s only in the face of horror that you truly find your nobler self.”
The Constantine TV show flopped
After plans for the sequel went nowhere, Warner Bros. decided to go a different direction
with the property.
The result: a Constantine TV series, which debuted on NBC in 2014.
Starring Matt Ryan, the show took a somewhat more faithful approach to the character…
but it was still canceled after just 13 episodes.
The character has since appeared in a guest role on The CW's Arrow, so even though the
show is no longer around, the existence of a competing version of the property still
muddies the waters for any possible film sequel.
It may be rebooted
One of the most exciting projects in the DC Cinematic Universe is the proposed Justice
League Dark movie, which features John Constantine as part of a group of supernatural types who
tackle mystical threats the regular Justice League isn't equipped to handle.
That opens a big can of worms in terms of Constantine 2.
Sure, Reeves might be up for a sequel, but would he want to play the character as part
of an ensemble superhero movie?
If not, it's very possible the character will be recast, making a reboot more likely than
a sequel.
Sure, Constantine was able to defeat Satan, but there's one thing even he can't beat:
Hollywood.
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