Keanu Reeves' Constantine 2: James Gunn's Greenlight Is One Script Away

Good news, demon hunters! Keanu Reeves' long-awaited Constantine 2 is definitely still on James Gunn's radar, but there's a crucial step before John can light up the big screen again.

TL;DR: The Latest on John Constantine's Return

• James Gunn has discussed Constantine 2 with Keanu Reeves and likes the creative team behind it.
• The sequel is planned as an "Elseworlds" project, existing outside the main DC Universe continuity.
• Gunn is waiting to read a completed script before officially greenlighting the film for production.

It’s been almost two decades since Keanu Reeves first brought John Constantine to the big screen, donning that trench coat and battling demons with a chain-smoking swagger. For years, fans have been clamoring for a sequel, and it looks like their patience might finally be paying off. Recent updates from DC Studios co-head James Gunn suggest that Constantine 2 is closer to becoming a reality than ever before, even if it’s still missing one vital ingredient: a finalized script.

What James Gunn Revealed About the Demon Hunter's Much-Anticipated Return

In a fresh interview with BobaTalks in October 2025, James Gunn delved into the exciting world of DC's "Elseworlds" projects – those awesome films that exist outside the main DC Universe storyline. Naturally, the topic of Constantine 2 came up, given its high-profile status and the persistent fan demand.

Gunn confirmed that he's been chatting with none other than Keanu Reeves himself about the sequel. While he clearly holds the talent involved in high regard, there’s a key piece of the puzzle that hasn't landed on his desk yet. Here's what he had to say:

"I've discussed it with Keanu. So yeah - I think that's a great group of guys, I like all of those people a lot. I think they're talented, but I've not read a script yet."

— James Gunn (DC Studios co-head), via BobaTalks, October 2025

This statement is huge because it confirms that discussions are very much active and positive, but it also highlights Gunn's firm stance on only greenlighting projects with a solid, completed script in hand. It’s a good sign that the project isn't stuck in development hell, but it's not quite a done deal just yet.

The Script's Long Journey: From Initial Pitch to James Gunn's Desk

Before Gunn’s latest comments, Keanu Reeves gave us a hopeful update back in February 2025. In an interview with Inverse, he revealed that he and the creative team had put together a compelling pitch for Constantine 2 and that DC Studios had given them the go-ahead to start writing a script. Reeves stated, "DC studios had said 'OK', so we're going to try and write a script."

This means that while the script hasn't reached Gunn for final approval, it's definitely in active development. Director Francis Lawrence, who helmed the original 2005 film, echoed this sentiment earlier in 2025, telling Collider that the sequel was "closer than ever" to happening. He also mentioned that they have a "great idea" for the story, one that has been "percolating" in their minds for two decades. So, rest assured, the team isn't just winging it; they've been thinking about this for a long time.

Why This Long-Awaited Sequel Has Taken So Much Time to Materialize

If it feels like you’ve been hearing about a potential Constantine sequel for ages, you’re not wrong. The original 2005 film, while not a massive box office smash initially (it grossed over $230 million worldwide), slowly but surely built up a passionate cult following. Many fans have come to appreciate its unique blend of horror, action, and Keanu Reeves' signature portrayal of the cynical exorcist.

However, the journey to a sequel has been complicated. Reeves himself has been banging the drum for it since at least 2019, and Warner Bros. officially confirmed it was in development back in 2022. But then, the entire DC film landscape underwent a massive overhaul. The shift from the disjointed DCEU to James Gunn and Peter Safran's new, unified DCU meant that many existing projects, including Constantine 2, faced uncertainty.

Beyond the studio "regime changes," other factors contributed to the delay. The global COVID-19 pandemic threw a wrench into countless film productions, and the 2023 writer's strike also played a role. Furthermore, Lawrence mentioned the team had to "jump through a bunch of hurdles to get control of the character again" because other entities had control of the Vertigo Comics properties on which Constantine is based. Now, he says, "We have control." Considering all these obstacles, it makes sense that a sequel is now looking at arriving over two decades after the original, making Reeves' potential return even more exciting for long-time fans.

Exploring What to Expect from Constantine's Next Elseworlds Adventure

One of the most important things to understand about Constantine 2 is its "Elseworlds" designation. This means it won't be part of James Gunn's main, interconnected DC Universe (the one starting with the upcoming Superman film). Instead, it will exist as a standalone story, similar to Matt Reeves' The Batman sequels. This gives the creative team a lot of freedom to tell the story they want without worrying about fitting into a larger continuity.

Keanu Reeves has hinted that the sequel will take place in the "same world" as the original film and that his character will be "tortured even more." Given John Constantine's dark and often miserable existence in the comics, this certainly sounds on-brand. Both Reeves and director Francis Lawrence have also expressed a strong desire for the sequel to be a "hard R-rated" film. The original film was rated R but was arguably somewhat reined in. A "hard R" would allow them to fully embrace the gritty, dark, and often violent nature of the source material from DC Comics/Vertigo's Hellblazer series, which the 2005 movie was loosely based upon. This could mean a more faithful and intense portrayal of the chain-smoking cynic with the ability to perceive angels and demons.

While only Keanu Reeves as John Constantine and Francis Lawrence as director are confirmed to be involved in these sequel efforts, the original film featured a memorable cast including Rachel Weisz as Angela Dodson, Shia LaBeouf as Chas Kramer, Tilda Swinton as Gabriel, Djimon Hounsou as Papa Midnite, and Peter Stormare as Lucifer. Who might return or join the new iteration remains to be seen once a script is approved.

James Gunn's "Script First" Rule: A Promise of Quality for DC Fans

James Gunn's insistence on a completed script before greenlighting a project isn't just a quirk; it's a core philosophy for his leadership at DC Studios. He has been vocal about wanting to avoid the pitfalls of past cinematic universes, where films sometimes went into production with unfinished scripts, leading to inconsistent quality and narrative issues. He even famously put the brakes on The Brave and the Bold – the highly anticipated Batman film for the main DCU – until the script was perfect. If even Batman has to wait, then John Constantine definitely needs to bring his A-game.

For fans, this "script first" rule is actually a fantastic sign. It means that if Constantine 2 ultimately gets the green light, it won't be because of nostalgia or star power alone, but because the story is genuinely compelling and well-crafted. This commitment to quality control ensures that if John Constantine does return to battle more supernatural threats, it will be with an exceptional script that honors the character and delivers the dark, R-rated experience fans have been dreaming of for nearly two decades. The fate of the cynical exorcist rests firmly in the hands of the writers, and we're all eagerly awaiting the moment that script lands on James Gunn's desk.

Frequently Asked Questions About Constantine 2

Will Keanu Reeves be in Constantine 2? Yes, Keanu Reeves is actively involved in pushing for the sequel and intends to reprise his role as John Constantine. Is Constantine 2 part of the main DC Universe? No, Constantine 2 is planned as an "Elseworlds" project, meaning it exists outside of James Gunn's main, interconnected DC Universe continuity. What is the desired rating for Constantine 2? Both Keanu Reeves and director Francis Lawrence are hoping for a "hard R-rating" to fully embrace the dark and violent nature of the source material. Who is involved in making Constantine 2? Keanu Reeves is set to star, and Francis Lawrence is returning to direct. Producer Akiva Goldsman is involved, with a script currently being written. James Gunn, as DC Studios co-head, will need to approve the final script. Sources

Multiple recent news reports and interviews with DC Studios co-head James Gunn, Keanu Reeves, and Francis Lawrence were used to compile this information.