Keanu Reeves is reportedly unhappy with the planned direction for Constantine 2, expressing concerns after his experience with the John Wick franchise and hoping for a more spiritual sequel. The dispute centers on the focus keyword: Keanu Reeves unhappy with Constantine 2 script after John Wick, as DC Studios pushes for a high-octane blockbuster rather than a grounded, supernatural drama.
Reeves Seeks a Different Approach for Constantine 2
Keanu Reeves first portrayed the titular character in Constantine in 2005, a film that initially drew mixed to negative reviews but later built a loyal following. While fans rallied for a follow-up, it was not until September 2022 that Warner Bros. officially confirmed a sequel, with director Francis Lawrence and Reeves both returning. Now, Peter Stormare, who played Lucifer in the original film, has revealed tension behind the scenes regarding the sequel’s creative direction.
DC Studios appears to want Constantine 2 to become a cinematic spectacle, packed with explosive action and visual effects. However, Reeves is reluctant to revisit the kind of heavy action sequences typical of his John Wick role. According to reports, he favors a return to the spiritual, moody tone of the first Constantine, resisting the urge to transform the sequel into another action-heavy franchise film.
Stormare commented directly on Reeves’ dissatisfaction, stating,
“I think Keanu [Reeves], which I know pretty good, is not so happy with the scripts and usually what comes out of the studios…”
—Peter Stormare, Actor. He went on to say that the studio’s vision diverges significantly from the original film, noting,
“But to do a sequel, the studios want to have, you know, cars flying in the air. They want to have people doing flip-flops and fighting action scenes.”
—Peter Stormare, Actor
This creative tug-of-war echoes Reeves’ previous blockbuster work, with the actor allegedly stating,
“And I think Keanu says, ‘I’ve done ‘John Wick.’ This movie is spiritual. It’s about demons and regular people. And I wanted to keep it that way.’”
—Peter Stormare, Actor
Stormare also has his own vision, stating,
“I want to do God coming down exactly the same way, but in a black suit and looking more or less like Lucifer from the first one.”
—Peter Stormare, Actor He concluded that Reeves’ aim for the sequel is to make it
“very close to the first one.”
—Peter Stormare, Actor
Past Challenges and Creative Control Issues for the Sequel
The original Constantine film, directed by Francis Lawrence, brought in over $230 million at the box office but faced harsh criticism, particularly from dedicated DC fans who felt Reeves’ take on the Hellblazer character missed the mark. Still, over time, the movie earned greater appreciation and cult status, prompting renewed efforts to revive the character and world for the screen.
Securing the sequel was not without complications. WB’s plan for Constantine 2 was first publicly reported in September 2022, with both director Lawrence and star Reeves attached. Compounding the delays and production woes was the complex matter of regaining control over the Constantine character from DC, which had explored other options, including a TV adaptation by NBC and new projects with producer J.J. Abrams. After repeated setbacks and regime changes within DC Studios, momentum for a sequel finally gathered pace.
Francis Lawrence described the obstacles encountered while trying to push the project forward, stating,
“We’ve had many obstacles. Me, Keanu, Akiva have tried over the years to wrangle some control of the character again, because it had been handed over. I think NBC did a TV show, and then J.J. [Abrams] was going to try and do something. And then the regime at DC changed, and they’ve got their plans. But luckily, we managed to wrangle some control and started working on some ideas for Constantine 2, which we’re really excited about.”
—Francis Lawrence, Director
Despite these efforts, work on the film stalled amidst industry strikes by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA. With the end of those strikes and an announcement in September 2024 that production was underway, it seemed the sequel was back on track. Yet, the creative divide highlighted by Reeves’ discomfort with the studio‘s vision continues to pose a significant hurdle, indicating that his concern with the Constantine 2 script—especially in comparison to John Wick—remains unresolved.
Current Status and What Lies Ahead
After years of speculation, false starts, and shifting leadership at DC Studios, Constantine 2 remains in development, but the conflict between star and studio over tone and direction threatens further delays. Fans, remembering the atmospheric storytelling of the first film, may side with Keanu Reeves, who advocates for a sequel steeped in supernatural drama and relatably flawed characters. Studio pressure for blockbuster action sequences marks a stark contrast, echoing trends seen in larger comic book franchises where spectacle often trumps story.
As the situation develops, stakeholders like Warner Bros., DC Studios, director Francis Lawrence, and writer-producer Akiva Goldsman are working to navigate Reeves’ creative demands while balancing the studio’s goals. The involvement of influential figures such as James Gunn highlights the importance placed on the sequel within the broader DC Elseworlds umbrella. With Constantine currently available for streaming on Netflix and a passionate fan base eagerly awaiting updates, the outcome of this creative standoff will play a pivotal role in determining not just the film’s content, but the future of the Constantine franchise in the evolving landscape of superhero cinema.
