The Constantine fandom has never been quiet. Whether your first encounter was Keanu Reeves’ chain-smoking demon hunter in the 2005 film, Matt Ryan’s pitch-perfect portrayal on TV, or the gritty pages of DC’s Hellblazer comics, the hunger for more has only grown. The mythology is too rich, the character too compelling, to fade into obscurity. Every few months, a rumor ignites, a quote drops, or an interview slips just enough to spark another round of speculation — and the fan obsession roars back to life.
We’re doing our part to keep the conversation alive. Constantine 2 isn’t officially locked in yet, but the signals are getting harder and harder to ignore.
What’s Delaying the Sequel
The original Constantine was a unique beast for its time. Released before the modern comic book movie boom, it arrived in an era less attuned to what made such adaptations exceptional. Had it debuted today, it would likely have been met with far greater enthusiasm from both critics and fans; audiences now have a stronger appreciation for its blend of supernatural grit, comic book roots, and atmospheric storytelling that too many in 2005 simply didn’t recognize. Francis Lawrence, in the February 2025 Happy, Sad, Confused podcast with Josh Horowitz, recalled that it had “a weird reception” despite being loved by those who worked on it1. The film wasn’t a complete box office flop, but it didn’t set records either.
More importantly, it carried an R rating despite the creative team’s efforts to land PG-13. The MPAA’s reasoning? The tone was “too intense,” especially because angels and demons feel real to audiences vs. the elves and orcs that passed inspection for Lord of the Rings. That rating cut into Constantine ticket sales and left Warner Bros. scrambling to market it.
Complicating matters further, studio and DC leadership changed hands multiple times over the years. Rights shifted between TV and film divisions, which put movie plans on hold while NBC launched the short-lived but highly regarded by fans Constantine (2014) starring Matt Ryan. Though the TV show only lasted one season, it left a lasting mark on the fandom. Ryan’s version was so well-received that The CW later brought him back to reprise the role in Arrow and eventually as a main cast member in DC’s Legends of Tomorrow.
These appearances kept John Constantine alive for a new audience and gave fans something to celebrate — but it also meant the film team had to wait for the rights to cycle back. In a way, it’s hard to say if we’d be any closer to a Constantine 2 today without them, and we might have missed out entirely on Matt Ryan’s stellar contribution to the character.
Why Momentum Continues Building Around Our Hellblazer
Several key shifts have improved the odds for a sequel. First, Keanu Reeves has never lost his passion for the role, often calling John Constantine the one character he would most like to revisit, most famously during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Second, director Francis Lawrence and writer Akiva Goldsman are officially back at work on a new script, with Reeves reportedly in the room and just as excited as fans about the ideas being discussed. Third, studios have grown more receptive to darker, R-rated comic book adaptations, with the success of films like Deadpool and Logan proving the market is ready. It’s a shift that feels almost poetic, given that the 2005 Constantine was unexpectedly slapped with an R rating despite being shot within PG-13 guidelines — a move that left the creative team wishing they’d gone all-in on the darker version they originally envisioned.
Lawrence further revealed in Josh Horowitz’s February 2025 podcast that after years of false starts, the team finally has permission from DC and Warner Bros. to move forward with their version of the character.
When Could Constantine 2 Finally Arrive?
Let’s be clear. There is no confirmed release date yet, and this is all in the realm of theory. The creators are still being cagey about specifics, which could mean they don’t want to jinx it — or they are still ironing out major creative and logistical points.
If the script is ready within 2025 and filming begins late next year, a theatrical release in early 2027 is plausible. However, there’s also a possibility that the project could end up on a streaming platform like Netflix or Max if studio priorities shift.
Fans are also wondering which version of Constantine we’ll see. Will it follow the comics’ older, grittier John Constantine? Could we see a de-aged Keanu via CGI and AI-assisted effects, similar to how Star Wars digitally rejuvenated Hayden Christensen for Obi-Wan Kenobi? With modern tech, the door is open for a version that keeps the timeline intact. The bigger question is budget — the first Constantine had a reported $96 million budget in 2005, which would be significantly higher today.
One thing is certain: other R-rated comic adaptations have paved the way for an R-rated Constantine to be both financially viable and well-received. The cult following and creative enthusiasm are still there. Now it’s a matter of whether the studio fully commits.
Why the Fandom Won’t Let Go
- The original film’s cult status has only grown with time.
- Keanu Reeves remains deeply invested.
- The creative team from the first film is still intact and eager to return.
- Matt Ryan’s TV portrayal kept the character alive for a new audience, despite heartbreak over his series being canceled.
Fans are not asking for a reboot. They want a continuation — one that honors the tone and mythology they already love.
The Bottom Line
We still don’t have a confirmed “yes,” but we have more reason to believe now than at any point in the last two decades. The momentum is real, the team is talking, and the fandom is loud. We’ll keep watching and keep the conversation alive… because John Constantine has never been one to stay buried for long.
Watch the full podcast here: Keanu Reeves & Francis Lawrence talk CONSTANTINE’s 20th anniversary & plans for sequel!
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