Yesterday evening, news broke that DC Studios has set Francis Galluppi, director of the upcoming “Evil Dead Wrath,” to write a new John Constantine movie for the DC Universe, a move that could effectively kill the long-gestating “Constantine 2″ starring Keanu Reeves. Deadline reported the development, leaving the fate of the 2005 film’s sequel unclear as the studio builds its fresh start.
This is a defining moment for the character, as two opposing directions clash. On one hand, you have a passionate sequel project with a beloved star, championed for years by Reeves himself. On the other, you have a new, unified DC Universe under James Gunn, a world where old rules don’t apply. And the math tells a different story: a sequel to a film released over two decades ago with a 47% Rotten Tomatoes score, however beloved its cult following, is a risky bet for a studio still searching for its first major hit. The move echoes DC’s cautious approach with Batman, keeping Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” separate from the DCU’s upcoming “The Brave and the Bold,” but the Constantine situation is far more complex.
Francis Galluppi Writes New John Constantine Movie
- DC Studios has hired Francis Galluppi to write a new John Constantine movie for the DC Universe, leaving the future of the planned Keanu Reeves sequel unclear.
- The new film will exist within the DCU, while Reeves’ “Constantine 2” remains in a state of unclear development, with its continuation uncertain.
- This move highlights DC’s strategy of legacy characters being rebooted for the new universe, creating a major collision point for fandoms.
Two Constantines, One Universe: A Collision of Worlds
Here is the kicker: two John Constantine movies cannot coexist. The landscape is simply too crowded. While DC Studios is moving forward with a new Constantine for its DCU, ComicBookMovie confirms that Keanu Reeves’ passion project, “Constantine 2,” has been stuck in a holding pattern. The project was officially confirmed to be moving forward back in 2023, with Francis Lawrence returning to direct from a script co-written by Akiva Goldsman. But since then, progress has stalled.
Reeves himself has offered mixed signals. Previously, he noted, “You know, another draft of the script came in. We’re waiting. We’re gonna take it to the studio. Hopefully, they like it, too.” This suggests the ball was in the studio’s court. Now, with Galluppi officially hired, it appears the studio may have made a different choice. The writing has been on the wall. Gunn, when asked about the Reeves project last year, was non-committal, saying, “I’ve discussed it on and off. I discussed it with Keanu. So, yeah, I mean, that’s a great group of guys.” The filmmaker went on to say, “I like all those people a lot, I think they’re talented, but I have not read any script yet, so…” before trailing off. The silence since then speaks volumes.
The Business of a Brit: Why a New Constantine Makes Cents
Let’s talk brass tacks. The 2005 “Constantine” was a commercial success, grossing $230.9 million worldwide on a reported $70 million budget. That’s solid. But in today’s market, that’s not a slam dunk for a franchise launchpad. The film’s critical reception was lukewarm at best, and its portrayal of Constantine as an American played by Keanu Reeves was a major point of contention for die-hard fans of the original “Hellblazer” comics, where the character is a chain-smoking, cynical Brit.
From a business perspective, DC Studios is making a calculated bet. A new Constantine movie can be built from the ground up for the DCU, free from the baggage of a two-decade-old film. It allows the studio to create a character who is a more authentic fit for the supernatural corner of their universe, potentially appearing in films like James Mangold’s “Swamp Thing.” This isn’t just about replacing an actor; it’s about replacing a brand with one that aligns perfectly with the new vision. The path forward is clearer with a clean slate, even if it means disappointing the passionate audience that grew up with Reeves’ version.
| Constantine Project | Status | Talent | Universe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keanu Reeves Sequel | Status Unclear | Keanu Reeves, Francis Lawrence | Continuation of 2005 Film |
| DCU New Film | Active Development | Francis Galluppi (Writer) | James Gunn’s DC Universe |
The Fan Factor: A Loyal Following Left in the Lurch
For the fans, this is a gut punch. Reeves’ Constantine has, over time, found an audience that loves it in spite of its infidelity to the comics. The actor’s real commitment to the project gave fans reason to hope for years. This news isn’t just a studio shuffle; it’s the potential end of a long-held dream for a very vocal and dedicated community.
With DC Studios moving forward with a new John Constantine movie, it’s unclear if Keanu Reeves’ sequel will continue. Actor Bill Skarsgård has already put himself in contention, a possibility that makes a certain amount of sense given his horror pedigree. The character’s history is filled with different interpretations, from the serious, world-weary occult detective of the comics to Matt Ryan’s TV portrayal. The fandom will adapt, but the bridge between the old and the new is a delicate one, and Warner Bros. is about to cross it without looking back.
According to ComicBookMovie, a John Constantine movie has potential, especially as a lower-budgeted horror movie — but it’s still a risk on DC Studios’ part, particularly for a studio that’s yet to deliver a bona fide box office hit and for a character who has already had mixed fortunes both in theaters and on television.
A CONSTANTINE movie is in the works at DC Studios! Francis Galluppi (Evil Dead Wrath) is writing the script Not involved with the Keanu Reeves version pic.twitter.com/T1bKuro6GI
What’s Left for the Hell-raiser?
So what happens to Keanu Reeves’ Constantine? The project hasn’t been officially canceled, but with DC Studios moving in a completely different direction, its momentum is gone. The character of John Constantine is too valuable to be left on the shelf, but his future is now firmly in the hands of the DCU’s architects.
It’s a hard pivot for a character who has had a tumultuous journey on screen. From his 1985 debut in “Swamp Thing” to Matt Ryan’s short-lived NBC TV series, Constantine has always been a part of the DC landscape, albeit often on its peripheries. Now, with a “Swamp Thing” movie in the works at DC Studios, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the new Constantine pop up there, building his corner of the universe from the ground up. For Reeves, the dream of returning to the role may be over, but for John Constantine, the story is just getting a new, much-needed rewrite.
More on Keanu Reeves
A new ‘CONSTANTINE’ movie is in development at DC Studios. Francis Galluppi (‘Evil Dead Wrath’) is writing the script. This project is separate from the Keanu Reeves-led ‘CONSTANTINE’ sequel, which is also in development as an Elseworlds story and is not part of the DCU.… pic.twitter.com/3KRxcP7wtX
