JJ Abrams DC Series Gets Scrapped But That’s Great News For One Movie
J.J. Abrams and his Bad Robot Productions have stopped dead in their tracks when it comes to their Constantine series for Max. But, that doesn’t mean that the fan-favorite DC character won’t be getting screen time again. In the same piece, the entertainment outlet revealed that, according to the original film’s director, Francis Lawrence, the ball is finally rolling for Constantine 2.
J.J. Abrams Constantine Series Is Canceled, But We’re Getting A Sequel To The Keanu Reeves Film
In an interview with GameSpot, Lawrence, who is also attached to helm the sequel, shared the news that they’ve finally gained “control” over the property’s home at Vertigo Entertainment. Referring to the process of regaining the upper hand, Lawrence said, “We had to jump through a bunch of hurdles,” adding that the now-settled writers’ strike also slowed them down exponentially.
But now, things are officially getting fired up as the film’s star, Keanu Reeves, and Lawrence have been meeting with the original title’s producer, Akiva Goldsman, to pen a story for Constantine 2.
Constantine 2 Will Stay True To The Source And Be Darker Than The Original R-Rated Film
While a sequel to Constantine has been talked about for a while now, the script has been one of the biggest missing links – and an obviously very important one. Lawrence knows the key to the film going into production is its script, and he already has some hopes for what the next chapter in the story of John Constantine will look like. The director says that he and the rest of the trio are shooting to “make a real rated-R version” of the comic, taking it a step further than the original 2005 movie.
Keanu Reeves Will Reprise His Role As John Constantine
Although the first film earned itself an R-rating, Lawrence clearly has bigger, bolder, and bloodier plans for the second installment. In Constantine, audiences were introduced to Keanu Reeves’ John Constantine, a man who, after surviving a suicide attempt, has made it his work in life to send all the demons of hell back to where they belong. Fully aware of the torture that awaits him when he dies, Constantine’s only hope for eternal salvation is to help as many people in need as possible before his time is up.
Constantine Quickly Earned Blockbuster Status Upon Release
Along with Keanu Reeves, Constantine also starred Shia LaBeouf, Rachel Weisz, Tilda Swinton, Gavin Rossdale, Djimon Hounsou, Pruitt Taylor Vince, and Peter Stormare. Raking in $230.9 million at the global box office against its production cost of $70-100 million, Constantine was an overnight success with fans clamoring for another installment for almost two decades.
Constantine 2 Is In Early Development, But The Movie Is Finally, Officially Happening
The movie served as Lawrence’s feature-length debut and would start him on a trajectory to helm titles including I Am Legend and three of the four films in the original The Hunger Games franchise as well as the upcoming prequel – The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.
Even though production can’t begin until a script is turned in and given the okay by the studio, it should give fans a huge sense of relief to know that the wheels are turning on Constantine 2. Furthermore, the involvement of Keanu Reeves, Francis Lawrence, and Akiva Goldsman points to the hope that the second movie will keep the spirit of the first – but with a darker twist. Though the update is a small one, it’s terrific news for those of us waiting on more information surrounding Constantine2.
