The 2005 American superhero horror film Constantine, which Francis Lawrence directed and starred Keanu Reeves in the lead role, was largely inspired by the Hellblazer comic books by DC Comics and Vertigo Comics. Frank Cappello and Kevin Brodbin wrote the movie’s screenplay. Surprisingly, once upon a time, Nicolas Cage was also attached to the project.

Although the film’s February 2005 premiere was met with mixed reviews, Constantine has managed to establish a reputation as one of the all-time great cult classics. In 2022, it was revealed that a sequel was being created. Let’s learn more.

Keanu Reeves

Nicolas Cage almost starred in Constantine instead of Keanu Reeves

Actor Nicolas Cage was reportedly being considered for the part of John Constantine before it eventually went to Keanu Reeves. In an interview with Discussing Film during the celebration of 15 years of Constantine, the movie’s director Francis Lawrence shared,

“Actually, Keanu was already on before I was. So this was a case where it had been in development for a while. I think there was even another director before me. I think Tarsem [Singh] was going to do it at one point before me with Nicolas Cage or something, and then that fell apart. Then they got Keanu to play it.”
He revealed that Reeves was the last person he met, as the actor had just come back after filming The Matrix sequels at the time, and noted that it was like a final approval of him getting the job.

Nicolas Cage almost starred in Constantine instead of Keanu Reeves

Nicolas Cage was also asked about him almost starring in the movie before the role went to Keanu Reeves during an interview with GamesRadar, to which he said,
“I was gonna do Constantine, but that just didn’t work out. And they came to ask me to play the Green Goblin, but I said I’d rather, at that time do Adaptation.”
Also read: “I doubt you will find anyone involved in John Wick 4..”: Keanu Reeves’ Director Has One Big Hurdle to Jump Before Making John Wick 5 Possible

Keanu Reeves set to return as John Constantine for the sequel

According to reports by Deadline, it was announced in 2022 that a sequel of the movie Constantine is under development, and the actor will most likely return to reprise his role as John Constantine, as would Francis Lawrence to the director’s chair.

Fans have always believed that Constantine has been one of the most underrated DC movies of all time, even though it did gross over $230.9 million worldwide. Over the years, it has gained popularity and attention for being one of the cult classic movies of all time.

Keanu Reeves confirmed to return for Constantine sequel

An issue that was raised about the sequel was how it would fit in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DCU as it was not announced as a part of Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters plan over at DC. But in February of 2023, Warner Bros. clarified in a comment to Entertainment Weekly that the sequel is very much still happening.

Back in March 2023, when Reeves was promoting John Wick: Chapter 4, in an interview with CinemaBlend, he said that he, along with everyone who was involved in the Constantine movie, were simply trying to get the sequel made but was not sure where that film fell under, but keeping in mind about DC Elseworlds, added, “Hopefully I get to do it, but, I don’t know.”

Keanu Reeves describes the opportunity of the sequel as an ‘open playground’

In late January 2023 speaking to Total Film (via Slashfilm), Reeves spoke about the sequel and how he was not sure if it was unfinished business, but it was a role that he loved, and appreciated the director for doing a great job. Reeves mentioned that he loved playing that character and enjoyed working on the movie, which made him want to do more.

The actor mentioned that the sequel is almost like an open playground for them to work on. He concluded,
“So it’s exciting. It’s almost like an open playground that we can hopefully cook something and play in, and I guess get out of the playground and prepare a meal. But I’m looking forward to it, and hopefully it can happen. You don’t know how these things go. But I’m definitely going to try my darndest to try and realize that dream.”

Keanu Reeves says Constantine 2 opportunity is like an open playground

Since it has been assumed that the sequel to Constantine could be a part of DC Elseworlds, it is interesting to note that the new co-CEO of DC Studios has mentioned that the set standard for the stories that are going to fall under the category of DC Elseworlds has to be higher. The Direct quotes,
“The bar for an Elseworlds tale is going to be higher than the bar for a movie within the DCU. Not that we’re not always going to have a high bar, but it’s got to be something really special for us to tell that story outside of our regular continuity and to spend the money to make it.”
There have not been any more updates on Constantine 2.

Source: GamesRadar