21 Years Ago Today, 1 of DC’s Coolest Characters Got an Underrated Movie (& a Sequel Is Finally Happening)

by

When people think of DC Comics, iconic heroes like Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and The Flash immediately come to mind – characters who are frequently featured in movies and TV shows. While these heroes are undoubtedly popular, DC actually has a wealth of other fantastic characters who don’t get as much recognition. These heroes might be a little different or less showy, but 21 years ago today, one of the most interesting ones got its own movie – and now, a sequel is coming, giving this beloved, darker character another chance to stand out.

Released in 2005 and directed by Francis Lawrence, Constantine features Keanu Reeves as John Constantine, a world-weary demon hunter who can see and interact with both angels and demons, and travel between Earth and Hell. He’s pulled into a complex supernatural mystery when a police officer asks him to investigate her twin sister’s strange death. The film also stars Rachel Weisz, Shia LaBeouf, Tilda Swinton, and others. While reviews were mixed and it wasn’t a huge box office success, Constantine quickly gained a dedicated fan following.

Constantine Isn’t the Most Comics Accurate DC Movie (But It Doesn’t Need to Be)

What’s fascinating about the movie Constantine is that it doesn’t stick closely to the original DC comics. It’s only inspired by the Hellblazer comic series featuring John Constantine. While some hardcore fans might not like that, it actually works well as a standalone film. You could easily see it as an alternate universe version of the character. The movie’s Constantine is different enough – Keanu Reeves’ version has different powers, black hair, and his damnation stems from a suicide attempt – compared to the comic book version, who is blonde, looks like Sting, is English, and was damned for summoning a demon that killed a girl. This makes the movie accessible even if you haven’t read the comics, but still enjoyable for those who have.

The movie Constantine isn’t a strict adaptation of the comics, and that’s actually a good thing. This freedom allows the film to capture the story’s mood and atmosphere – things that are easier to show in a comic book but harder to achieve in a live-action movie. While inspired by the “Dangerous Habits” storyline, the film changes Constantine’s motivations, letting it focus more on style and a darker tone. This is something fans have been hoping for for twenty years, and this version might finally deliver.

We’re Closer Than Ever to a Constantine Sequel

Fans have wanted another Constantine movie for years – particularly one that stays closer to the comic book version of the character, after previous appearances on NBC and The CW’s Arrowverse. It wasn’t until 2022 that a sequel was officially confirmed. This new film will be an “Elseworlds” project, meaning it won’t be part of the main DC Universe storyline. Although it doesn’t have a release date or even a confirmed start to production, recent updates are very encouraging. Director Matt Reeves recently shared that a new draft of the Constantine 2 script has been submitted to the studio. If the studio approves it, the project could move forward quickly, though there are still challenges to overcome before we see the demon hunter return to the big screen.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/movies/list/10-movie-sequels-even-better-than-the-originals/embed/#

Read More

2026-02-19 01:13