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Keanu Reeves’ ‘Constantine 2’ Gets ‘Renewed Hope’ After James Gunn’s DC Exit, Says Director: ‘People at DC Were an Impediment to Us’
Director Francis Lawrence says there is “renewed hope” for a sequel to the 2005 film *Constantine* after James Gunn and Peter Safran left their roles as co-heads of DC Studios. He says the previous DC leadership had hindered the project, which matters because the filmmakers now see a possible route to revive a long-delayed sequel starring Keanu Reeves.
Lawrence says a story and script are in place, and that Reeves, producer Akiva Goldsman and producer J.J. Abrams want to make the film. The project would need backing from the companies involved and the people now running DC; Lawrence also says a separate *Constantine* version for DC’s shared universe could coexist with their sequel. Reeves said in 2025 that a story had been pitched to DC, which agreed to try developing a script.
In short
- Francis Lawrence sees new hope for *Constantine 2* after DC’s leadership change.
- The team has a story and script, but the project still needs backing.
- Lawrence says their film could coexist with a separate DC version.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A Reeves-led sequel could build on the original film’s established audience and give its creative team room to continue a story they say is ready to develop. If the relevant companies and new DC leadership are willing to support it, a standalone sequel could coexist with a separate version in the shared universe, offering audiences more than one interpretation of the character.
The case against
DC’s leaders must weigh the sequel against competing projects, budgets and plans for a coherent shared universe; enthusiasm from the filmmakers does not by itself show that the film is commercially or creatively viable. A second version of Constantine could also confuse audiences or divide resources, so the new leadership could reasonably prioritise other projects or require substantial changes before backing it.
Explained simply
Constantine is a supernatural thriller based on a DC Comics character, John Constantine, a London-born exorcist who deals with demons and the afterlife. Keanu Reeves played him in the 2005 film, directed by Francis Lawrence.
A sequel has been discussed for years. Reeves, Lawrence and producers Akiva Goldsman and J.J. Abrams are among those associated with the project; making it would also require backing from the companies involved and DC’s leadership.
DC publishes the comics behind the character and oversees screen adaptations. It is building a shared film universe, while a separate sequel to the 2005 film could follow its own version of Constantine.
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