After nearly 20 years of waiting, Constantine fans finally have reason to hope.
DC Studios co-chair James Gunn has confirmed that he’s been in talks with Keanu Reeves about Constantine 2 — the long-rumoured sequel to the 2005 supernatural thriller that gained cult status despite its divisive critical reception.
Appearing on the BobaTalks podcast, Gunn revealed that he’s discussed the project “on and off” with Reeves and the original creative team but hasn’t yet read the script. His comments confirm that the sequel is still alive and in development, marking one of the first tangible updates since DC’s massive creative restructuring under Gunn and Peter Safran.
Background: The 2005 Constantine Legacy
Released in 2005, Constantine starred Keanu Reeves as John Constantine, a cynical, chain-smoking exorcist and occult detective who straddles the line between heaven and hell.
Directed by Francis Lawrence, the movie reimagined DC’s Hellblazer comic universe in a gritty, noir-inspired Los Angeles filled with angels, demons, and existential dread.
Though it received mixed reviews upon release, Constantine grossed over $230 million worldwide and gradually developed a cult following for its unique visual style and Reeves’s brooding performance.
“Keanu gave Constantine a spiritual weariness no one expected,” says Dr. Marissa Kline, pop-culture historian at UCLA. “It turned a comic-book exorcist into a tragic antihero—and that’s why fans never let it go.”
James Gunn’s Latest Update
In his October 2025 appearance on BobaTalks, Gunn confirmed that he’s been in direct communication with Reeves about the project:
“I’ve discussed it on and off. I’ve discussed it with Keanu,” Gunn said. “I think that’s a great group of guys. I like all those people a lot. I think they’re talented, but I have not read any script yet.”
While his remarks were cautious, they’re also encouraging.
Gunn’s acknowledgment implies that Constantine 2 is under internal review at DC Studios, likely as an Elseworlds project — a standalone film outside the main DC Universe continuity, similar to The Batman (2022) or Joker (2019).
This follows comments from Reeves earlier in the year confirming that he and director Francis Lawrence pitched a new story treatment to DC Studios, which was met with a “positive response.”
Keanu Reeves’ Decade-Long Fight for the Sequel
Keanu Reeves has repeatedly voiced his passion for returning to the role of John Constantine.
In an interview with Inverse earlier this year, he revealed that he had been pushing the project forward for years:
“We’ve been trying to make this film for over a decade,” Reeves said. “We recently put a story together and pitched it to DC Studios and they said, ‘OK.’ So, we’re going to try and write a script.”
Reeves’ reunion with Lawrence could be one of the defining projects in DC’s “Elseworlds” slate, offering fans a spiritually and emotionally heavier take on the Constantine mythos.
“I’d love to play him again,” Reeves told Collider last year. “He’s such a tortured soul—a man battling his own demons while trying to save the world from actual ones.”
Creative Team and Production Updates
The confirmed creative team for Constantine 2 includes:
| Crew Member | Role |
|---|---|
| Francis Lawrence | Director |
| Akiva Goldsman | Screenwriter / Producer |
| Keanu Reeves | Lead Actor / Producer |
| James Gunn | DC Studios Co-Head (Overseeing Development) |
Director Francis Lawrence, who later helmed I Am Legend and The Hunger Games films, said the idea for the sequel has been “percolating for 20 years.”
“We’ve gone through a bunch of the comics and looked at things,” Lawrence told Collider. “The idea we have comes from years of thinking about stories and characters we love.”
Producer Akiva Goldsman has also confirmed that the screenplay is being developed under his company, Weed Road Pictures, and that the sequel will be R-rated, allowing for a darker and more faithful approach to the Hellblazer comics.
Development Challenges and Delays
The journey to Constantine 2 has been far from smooth.
According to Lawrence, one major hurdle was regaining the rights to the character after DC’s Vertigo Comics imprint was folded.
“We had to jump through a bunch of hurdles to get control of the character again,” Lawrence explained in 2023. “Other people had control of the Vertigo stuff. But now—we have control.”
Progress also stalled due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike, which delayed scripting. Still, by mid-2025, insiders confirmed that a new draft of the screenplay was circulating, with further revisions ongoing under DC’s creative oversight.
Plot & Story Direction (What We Know So Far?)
While official story details remain under wraps, both Reeves and Lawrence have teased that Constantine 2 will pick up in the same world as the first film, exploring darker theological and emotional themes.
Lawrence described it as a “more mature and more tragic” continuation of Constantine’s journey, with an older, more broken John haunted by his past decisions.
The story will reportedly dive deeper into the character’s connection to Heaven and Hell — and perhaps even the price of redemption for a man who’s already seen both.
“Constantine 2 will likely confront mortality, salvation, and moral ambiguity,” says critic Elijah Torres of FilmScope Weekly. “It’s the kind of introspective horror DC hasn’t fully tapped since Watchmen.”
There are also rumours that the sequel could expand DC’s supernatural universe, potentially opening doors for appearances by characters like Zatanna, Deadman, or Swamp Thing — all members of the Justice League Dark mythos.
Fan Excitement and Cultural Impact
Since Gunn’s comments went public, #Constantine2 trended on X (formerly Twitter) within hours, with fans expressing excitement that the long-lost sequel is still being developed.
Many fans noted the film’s renewed relevance in 2025’s darker superhero landscape. Unlike traditional superhero tales, Constantine’s moral grayness and horror aesthetic align well with modern storytelling trends.
“If anyone can bring back supernatural noir for the DCU, it’s Reeves and Lawrence,” wrote one Reddit user.
“We need Constantine back in a world where every hero looks the same.”
Industry analysts also point out that the film could be a smart strategic move for DC Studios — broadening their portfolio beyond caped heroes and tapping into gothic fantasy and faith-based horror.
Possible Release Window
While no official release date has been announced, industry insiders predict Constantine 2 could enter production by late 2026, depending on DC’s slate alignment.
If the script is finalized by mid-2026, fans might expect a late 2027 or 2028 theatrical release as part of DC’s expanding Elseworlds lineup.
Gunn’s involvement as co-chair increases the chances that Constantine 2 will be prioritized once the creative direction aligns with DC’s larger storytelling strategy.
Why Constantine 2 Matters for DC’s Future?
The original Constantine was a risk — an R-rated, horror-tinged comic adaptation released long before darker superhero stories became mainstream. Today, its cult status has transformed it into one of DC’s most requested revivals.
“Constantine 2 represents a bridge between the old DC and the new one,” says Hannah Lewis, a senior editor at Cinematic Arts Weekly. “It’s a test of whether DC can respect legacy while evolving creatively.”
With Reeves’ box-office pull and Gunn’s reputation for revitalizing franchises, Constantine 2 could become a cornerstone of DC’s supernatural rebirth, possibly leading into Justice League Dark or other Vertigo-based spin-offs.
Final Thoughts
After nearly two decades of speculation, Constantine 2 finally appears to be moving forward under the watchful eye of James Gunn and Keanu Reeves.
With its creative team reunited and its cult legacy stronger than ever, the film could be DC’s boldest supernatural outing yet — a return to the gritty, gothic edge that fans have been craving.
As Reeves put it best:
“We’ve been trying to make this film for over a decade… and we’re not giving up.”
FAQs
No release date yet, but the earliest possible window is 2027–2028, depending on script completion and production schedules.
Yes. DC Studios approved the development of Constantine 2, and both Keanu Reeves and Francis Lawrence are attached to return.
Gunn confirmed he’s discussed Constantine 2 “on and off” with Reeves but hasn’t yet read the script, implying the film remains in active development.
It’s expected to be released under DC’s Elseworlds label, existing outside the main DCU continuity, similar to The Batman or Joker.
Francis Lawrence will direct, with Akiva Goldsman writing and producing. Reeves returns as both lead and producer.
Expect a darker, more spiritual, and emotional tone — closer to the Hellblazer comics, with stronger horror elements and moral complexity.
