Keanu Reeves' Cult-Classic Fantasy Thriller Sequel Is Still Officially Happening

You can tell some movies are destined to become cult classics from the moment they're released. Middling critical reviews and modest box office returns, but a small percentage of people come out of the multiplex convinced they've just seen their movie. And this is one of those examples. In fact, this is a cult hit so powerful it's been pushing hard for a sequel for two decades now.

Released in 2005, Constantine follows cynical occult detective John Constantine, a man capable of seeing angels and demons walking among humanity. Directed by Francis Lawrence, the movie is a blend of comic book style, gothic horror, and ethereal fantasy. Now, more than 20 years later, Constantine 2 is still officially in development at Warner Bros., according to Deadline, despite the studio's recent merger with Paramount. The long-awaited sequel remains among the projects being overseen by Skydance Pictures co-chairs Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein, with Reeves expected to return as John Constantine.

Based on the DC Comics/Vertigo Hellblazer graphic novels, Constantine tells the story of John Constantine, a man who has literally been to Hell and back. When he teams up with skeptical policewoman Angela Dodson to solve the mysterious suicide of her twin sister, their investigation takes them through the world of demons and angels that exists just beneath the landscape of contemporary Los Angeles. Caught in a catastrophic series of otherworldly events, the two become inextricably involved and seek to find their own peace at whatever cost.

The film stars Keanu Reeves (John Wick: Chapter 4) as John Constantine, Rachel Weisz (The Mummy) as Angela Dodson, Shia LaBeouf (Megalopolis) as Chas Kramer, Tilda Swinton (The Room Next Door) as Gabriel, Djimon Hounsou (A Quiet Place: Day One) as Midnite, Peter Stormare (Until Dawn) as Lucifer Morningstar, and Gavin Rossdale as Balthazar.

Was 'Constantine' a Success?

Constantine grossed $230.9 million worldwide against a budget of roughly $100 million, becoming a respectable commercial success despite mixed reviews at the time. Today, the film enjoys something of a critical reappraisal. It holds a 46% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes but an impressive 72% audience score, with Reeves’ portrayal becoming increasingly popular over the past two decades. Its devoted fanbase ultimately helped convince Warner Bros. to finally move ahead with a sequel after years of speculation. Reeves recently dropped an update on the sequel, saying:

“We pitched a story to DC Studios, and they said, ‘Okay.’ So we’re going to try and write a script. John Constantine’s going to be tortured even more.”

The sequel was first announced in 2022, with Lawrence returning to direct and Akiva Goldsman attached to write the screenplay. Warner Bros. has since undergone another major ownership change, but Constantine 2 remains on the studio's development slate. James Gunn has previously indicated that the movie would fall under the DC Elseworlds banner, allowing it to exist separately from the main DC Universe.

Constantine 2 does not yet have an official release date.