John Constantine has confronted demons, angels, and Devil himself, however for the previous 21 years, Keanu Reeves’ supernatural detective has been trapped in an particularly merciless circle of the supernatural realm: growth hell. Now, Constantine director Francis Lawrence thinks the sequel lastly has an opportunity. Following James Gunn and Peter Safran’s elimination from DC Studios management, Lawrence says the 2 executives have been standing in the way in which of getting the film made.
Lawrence was upfront in regards to the scenario when talking to Collider whereas selling the newest Starvation Video games movie. “We now have a script, we’ve been desirous to make it and the people who have been at DC have been an obstacle to us making it,” he stated. Lawrence stated he was not pleased about anybody shedding their jobs, however stated he’s “extra hopeful” in regards to the sequel’s possibilities. Reeves, screenwriter Akiva Goldsman and producer J.J. Abrams are all nonetheless concerned. The film is ready for studio approval.
Constantine Was Banished to Purgatory by James Gunn
The unique Constantine debuted in 2005 and grossed roughly $230 million worldwide, in opposition to a reported $100 million price range. Regardless of combined critiques, the movie developed a cult following. Reeves and Lawrence have mentioned making a sequel for years, however Warner Bros. by no means gave them the chance. In the meantime, Constantine continued to look in different DC initiatives. Matt Ryan performed the character on an NBC collection earlier than becoming a member of the Arrowverse. Guillermo del Toro additionally spent years growing a Justice League Darkish movie that by no means materialized. Warner Bros. lastly introduced Constantine 2 in 2022, with Reeves and Lawrence returning and Goldsman writing the screenplay. The 2023 Hollywood writers’ strike triggered a delay in growth, and the movie has but to be permitted.
DC Studios reportedly employed Francis Galluppi final week to pen a standalone Constantine film. That raised questions on the way forward for Lawrence’s sequel, particularly as a result of the studio was growing one other model of the character whereas the Reeves venture remained dormant. However DC Studios is about to get an enormous shake-up. Skydance took over Warner Bros and now Gunn and Safran are stepping down as co-heads of DC Studios. Former Marvel Studios govt Jeremy Latcham will assume the function on December 1st. And Gunn and Safran will nonetheless be making motion pictures. However they received’t be working the DC ship. Skydance additionally plans to throw out a lot of their supposed slate, with initiatives already in manufacturing more likely to survive. This leaves Constantine 2 in an odd place. Galluppi’s film is just not canceled but and Lawrence’s sequel is just not permitted but. However Reeves desires to come back again, the script is written, and the studio execs named as roadblocks are gone. Constantine is lastly seeing a light-weight on the finish of 21 years in growth hell.