Fans of the 2005 cult classic Constantine finally got their wish in September, when Warner Bros. finally gave the green light for a sequel, which apparently stems from star Keanu Reeves’ own persistence.
The film, based on the beloved DC Comics character, earned $230.8 million worldwide on a $100 million budget, though for years the studio apparently didn’t think it was successful enough to warrant a sequel.
During a new interview with Full moviethe 58-year-old actor admitted that he “badged” Warner Bros. execs practically every year to make a sequel until they finally relented, 17 years later.
Persistence: Fans of the 2005 cult classic Constantine finally got their wish in September, when Warner Bros. finally gave the green light for a sequel, which apparently stems from star Keanu Reeves’ own persistence.
Keanu as John: The movie, based on the beloved DC Comics character, grossed $230.8 million worldwide on a $100 million budget, though for years the studio apparently didn’t think it was successful enough to warrant a sequel.
Constantine is based on the character created by the legendary Alan Moore, along with Stephen R. Bissette, Rick Veitch, and John Totelben, who debuted in Swamp Thing #37 in June 1985.
The chain-smoking character, a working-class warlock and occult detective, finally got his own comic called Hellblazer in 1988, which is considered the most popular comic from DC’s Vertigo imprint.
Reeves was tapped to star in the adaptation of Constantine, written by Kevin Brodbin and Frank A. Cappello, with prolific music video director Francis Lawrence making his film debut, before directing the Hunger Games movies and more.
Adaptation: Reeves was tapped to star in the adaptation of Constantine, written by Kevin Brodbin and Frank A. Cappello, with prolific music video director Francis Lawrence making his film debut, before directing the Hunger Games movies and more.
While the film wasn’t a huge success at the box office or with critics (46% on Rotten Tomatoes), Reeves loved playing the character so much that it became an annual tradition to ask Warner Bros. to make a sequel. .
“I don’t know if it was unfinished business, but it was definitely a role that I loved. And I thought Francis Lawrence, the director, did an amazing job. I loved playing that character, and I really enjoyed the movie. I was like, (adopts Oliver Twist’s voice) “Can I have more?” Reeves joked.
He added: ‘I kept asking almost every year. It would be like, “Can I please?” [and] They would say, “No, no!”
Box Office: While the film wasn’t a huge critical or box office success (46% on Rotten Tomatoes), Reeves loved playing the character so much that it became an annual tradition to ask Warner Bros. to make a sequel
Eventually, Reeves’ persistence paid off, with Warner Bros. bringing Lawrence back to direct with Akiva Goldsman (The Dark Tower, Star Trek: Picard) writing the script and producing alongside JJ Abrams.
‘So it’s exciting. It’s almost like an open playground where hopefully we can cook something and play and I guess get out of the playground and make a meal,” Reeves added.
“But I’m looking forward to it, and I hope it can happen. You don’t know how these things go. But I’m definitely going to do everything I can to try to make that dream come true,” Reeves revealed.
Resurfacing: Reeves’ persistence has finally paid off, with Warner Bros. bringing Lawrence back to direct with Akiva Goldsman (The Dark Tower, Star Trek: Picard) writing the script and producing alongside JJ Abrams.
Looking to the future: ‘But I’m looking forward to it, and I hope it can happen. You don’t know how these things go. But I’m definitely going to do everything I can to try to make that dream come true,” Reeves revealed.
It is not yet known if others from the original film, such as Rachel Weisz (Angela Dodson), Djimon Hounsou (Papa Midnight), Shia LaBeouf (Chas), Tilda Swinton (Gabriel) and Peter Stormare (Satan) will reprise their roles for the continuation.
John Constantine’s character made his brief debut on the small screen, with Matt Ryan playing the character in the short-lived NBC series that debuted in 2014 but lasted only one season.
Ryan eventually reprized his role on The CW’s Arrowverse shows like Arrow, The Flash, and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, plus he voiced Constantine on the animated series Harley Quinn last year.
Small Screen: John Constantine’s character made his brief debut on the small screen, with Matt Ryan playing the character on the short-lived NBC series that debuted in 2014 but lasted only one season.