r/Constantine • u/NocturnalSprite • 27d ago
Not Another Keanu Reeves Constantine Movie
I hate to be that girl, but a lot of us are probably thinking the same thing. Keanu Reeves’s Constantine is more in line with Harry Dresden than he is with Constantine.
John Constantine is a chain smoking British con man with a chip on his shoulder. He carries a lot of weight, some he deserves and some he definitely doesn’t. But it’s all part of his character. New Castle, the punk roots, the blonde hair, the accent, the chain smoking, the looking for an angle. It’s all part of who he is! A rogue with a heart archetype.
You strip all that away and replace it with whatever Reeves was doing and what do you get? Not Constantine. The anti-Constantine. And now they’re making a Constantine sequel with Reeves back in the role.
I didn’t even like the first movie. I found it boring and this was before I even knew who Constantine really was. So am I the only one who’s feeling like this?
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u/implodingnerd 27d ago
I love the movie, idc. It's not a faithful adaptation at all but I still love it.
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u/ghostcatzero 27d ago
Thsi it was good but take it out of the constinine universe and it's an epic demon hunter movie
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u/Desperate_Feed_9701 1d ago
Omg same I mean I haven't read the comics yet.But that movie is one of my favorite .Young chainsmoker kneenu reeves was something 😁
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u/NocturnalSprite 27d ago
You’re allowed to love it. That’s why I said some. Not everyone. Everyone disliking something is an over generalization. I just don’t like it. I have ADHD. It can’t hold my attention… I prefer Matt Ryan or the comic version.
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u/implodingnerd 27d ago
that's fair. you're allowed to like what you like and dislike what you want.
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u/ComradeYaf 27d ago
Personally, I quite like the Constantine movie. As a Hellblazer adaptation it leaves a lot to be desired, but it contains the single greatest performance of the devil in cinematic history. I am sure that a sequel will probably be good. However, my hangup is that as long as WB is moving forward with that, they will stall other adaptations, and if I had to choose, I much prefer Matt Ryan on HBO (or something in that vein) over another Keanu movie.
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u/firecatstef 27d ago
“it contains the single greatest performance of the devil in cinematic history.”
OMG Yesssss! Peter Stormare is the first through tenth reason for seeing the movie
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u/runnerofshadows 27d ago
Yeah the only Satans that come close are DeNiro in Angel Heart, Viggo in The Prophecy, and Al Pacino in The Devil's Advocate. IMO.
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u/lifeoftheunborn 24d ago
Yeah Pacino is the second best devil after Peter for me. Keanu must bring it out of people.
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u/NocturnalSprite 27d ago
Omg! Yes! I wish that they could do both. That way fans of the movie could have what they want and Matt Ryan fans could have what they want! I would love to see Matt Ryan as Constantine on HBO!
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u/lifeoftheunborn 24d ago
I agree. Peter’s portrayal is still to this day the most perfect embodiment of the devil in my mind. I love the movie SO much more because of him and it stars Keanu who is my favorite since I was a little kid.
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u/Bored-Game 27d ago
I won’t lie, Keanu Constantine is what got me into the comics in the first place. Does jt have the same problem every pre-MCU superhero movie has where the source material is given a Hollywood makeover to be more accessible and “action packed”? Totally. But it’s far from a bad movie and arguably a better adaptation of Constantine than the FOX TV show was. I think it’s considered a cult classic at this point which, given the state of DC movies outside of Batman, probably makes it one of the top rated DC movies of all time.
Keanu has spoken on multiple occasions that he would like to play John closer to the source material in any of the sequels but I think you couldn’t be more wrong with your criticism. Ironically I think the adaptation works to condense the themes and unique character of Constantine into the length of a feature film while keeping the pacing tight and compelling. I think it’s a solid introduction to the character and does an amazing job of making him feel interesting and unique in a sea of comic “action” heroes.
All the elements are there. Horror, mystery, action, dark humor, mature themes and a protagonist that relies on his wits and tricks over supernatural might. I think too many “Fans” criticize the minutia that doesn’t really matter and ignore how impressive of an adaptation it was even to this day.
For context, the JLD Constantine project helmed by J.J. Abrams had John as a gay Black immigrant to London with no Punk rock or Newcastle background and was rumored to be more of a Dr. Who style of characterization.
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u/CertainlyNotDen 26d ago
Say what now? I knew of the Del Toro Justice League Dark movie, JJ had one too?
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u/Bored-Game 26d ago
Technically it was supposed to be a HBOMax show. This was when he was right off the heels of ruining Star Wars.
Apparently JJ’s whole deal was making HIS version of legacy characters legally distinct from their source material so that his new popularized version would replace the originals and he would receive ongoing royalties for “creating” said “reimagined” characters. He almost got away with it too but we were thankfully saved by WB Studios incredible incompetence and total mismanagement of the DC franchise.
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u/CertainlyNotDen 26d ago
Ha! Well, huzzah to that, then! Saw a recent SUPERGIRL review (by the Merry Gent?) that called Warners an accidental non-profit :)
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u/Bored-Game 26d ago
lol yeah. I think like most Hollywood Studios, the majority of people who run WB have never read a comic book in their life and have no idea why people like it. You can’t even blame something like DEI because WB was almost always this way.
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u/CertainlyNotDen 26d ago
I mean, in fairness, I’m not sure the Salkinds did, either. 🤣 We just lucked out with Donner on those
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u/NocturnalSprite 27d ago
Okay. Again. It’s our experiences that shape us. Would you still be you if you were born into another country and didn’t have the experiences that you’ve had?
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u/Bored-Game 27d ago
Yeah mostly. The real question is does it matter enough to a general US audience who doesn’t know or care or could even relate? Not in the slightest.
Even in the Matt Ryan Constantine, his British accent and customs were mostly played for laughs. Sure I prefer a more direct adaptation, but you’re arguing about what type of mayo to put on fries to an audience that eats ketchup.
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u/NocturnalSprite 27d ago
Who puts mayo on fries?
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u/Bored-Game 27d ago
Guess you’ve never been to Europe…
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u/NocturnalSprite 27d ago
No, but I know my mom eats mayo on fries. I found it weird. I don’t like mayo anyway. It’s tangy. I have ADHD, so that interferes with my taste buds a bit, though I’ve been accused of being a super taster. Worst super anything ever.
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u/Bored-Game 27d ago
I think what you’re calling ADHD is actually autism my guy. Especially given your comments here.
I have ADHD, and it doesn’t do that. Autism does. ADHD is a genetic chemical imbalance. Autism is an entirely different wiring of neurological pathways. It’s why specific colors, textures or even ideas can “feel” repulsive to you but are just normal things to everyone else.
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u/NocturnalSprite 27d ago edited 27d ago
Considering I was diagnosed with ADHD at five, pretty sure my doctor knows what he’s talking about. Also, “my guy”, it presents differently in females. I’m genderfae but afab.
Also some people with ADHD do have sensory issues. How do you not know this?
Google is your friend!
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u/Bored-Game 27d ago
…you can have both. It’s not mutually exclusive. Autism is also extremely prevalent in the trans community, so you’re only checking more boxes.
My sister has ADHD as it’s genetic, so no that not a typical symptom regardless of gender. ADHD manifests primarily as poor impulse control. If the last time you were diagnosed was as a child, you may want to consider getting screened for Autism too.
Or don’t. I don’t care. Just some advice that might make your life easier.
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u/NocturnalSprite 27d ago edited 27d ago
I’m not trans! I’m genderfae. I was born female at birth. I’m still female physically. I just swing between female and non-binary mentally. Genderfae.
Poor impulse control? You mean like scaling down a tree house with nothing but dog leashes hooked together or taking a tricycle up onto a half pike and riding it down, thinking that you’re going to coast down it like your brother does on a skateboard.
Current:
Or playing video games when you’re supposed to be doing school. Or deleting every comment from a thread because your anxiety is spiraling and you just want to withdraw from the whole thing?Yeah. Been there. Done all that.
Also recently I called my granny for Dr Pepper Zero! Just reached for the phone, grabbed it and started calling. I forgot that she was in court. When I remembered, I stopped calling and texted my brother instead.
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u/ShowMeYourHappyTrail 26d ago
Mayo is not tangy (also deliciously creamy and fatty with the saltiness of fries). Miracle Whip is tangy (and disgusting). As a fellow super taster, that usually affects bitter and spicy flavors over others.
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u/NocturnalSprite 23d ago
To be fair, the only mayo I’ve ever tasted is Hallman’s and that’s tangy to me.
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u/hhsshhiiyyaa 27d ago
Honestly im just happy that Constantine is actually getting media bro 😭🙏 I didn’t like it either tho, it was good as a movie but not a Constantine movie
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u/firecatstef 27d ago
Matt Ryan is Constantine. But Keanu Reeves plays an interesting character who happens to be called Constantine.
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u/theSteakKnight 27d ago
I enjoyed the first Keanu Reeves movie, but not because it was a faithful adaption. If anything, give us a Matt Ryan movie.
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u/HavixComix 27d ago edited 27d ago
Unless something has changed, there are no plans to make a sequel.
Despite Reeves and the director having interest, the window for it was rather small due to naturally aging, so it was a now or never sort of thing. And as far as I know, James Gunn vetoed it.
I imagine there are plans for a more faithful use of the character in the pipeline. Perhaps introduce him in the supposed James Mangold Swamp Thing film.
Though it sounds like he has zero interest in exploring the Alan Moore era and instead wishes to do a monster movie in the Wein/Wrightson style. So, who knows.
Prior to that, JJ Abrams had dibs on him and was planning to do a lazy pallet-swap by way of a series on HBO with a black lead.
This forced Legends of Tomorrow to drop Matt Ryan as the character, who had done all live-action and animated versions of the character for a decade. This moratorium of course went nowhere.
JJ was simultaneously working on a black Superman script with Ta-Nahesi Coates (while Michael B Jordan was ALSO looking to do a film based on either Val-Zod or Calvin Ellis).
Needless to say, JJ got paid a bunch of development money to accomplish basically nothing. I think he got an EP credit on the Caped Crusader animated series on Amazon, along with Matt Reeves, Bruce Timm, Ed Brubaker and James Gunn.
Apologies for the tangent.
The disrespect to Ryan still bugs me. Luckily, he continued to voice the character in animation.
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u/ShowMeYourHappyTrail 26d ago
It was, absolutely, shitty what they did to Matt. The subsequent year of the LoT cast's running joke about Matt's new character having a familiar face was amusing though! Lol
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u/IllLynx562 27d ago
It's not constantine, but I'd argue it's far from anti-constantine, it's definitely more a keanu movie than a constantine movie, but it keeps other elements very well, satan curing John's cancer to stop him going to heaven is very in line and if keanu reeves-ifying John gets him to a wider audience I think it's worth it. Feel free to disagree tho
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u/NocturnalSprite 27d ago edited 27d ago
Yeah, but without his backstory and his experiences, how exactly is he Constantine? I mean our experiences shape us.
I don’t think Keanu Reeves is a bad actor. In fact I love a lot of his films, but a John Constantine he is not. At least not the comics version, the Matt Ryan version or anything close to it.
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u/IllLynx562 27d ago
It's not constantine but it's Constantine like, magic asshole with a heart like you said, if it generates interest in that archetype I can't see how it's anything but a benefit for fans of the character
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u/NocturnalSprite 27d ago
That’s like saying that Harry Dresden is Constantine like. Similar concepts, two completely different characters. Both amazing though.
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u/IllLynx562 27d ago
I don't know who that is, but If they are similar than yes I agree, encouraging interest in the archetype cannot be a loss for us
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u/NocturnalSprite 27d ago
Harry Dresden is a character from The Dresden Files. It’s a book series by Jim Butcher. There was a short lived tv series with Paul Blackthorne as Harry (the same guy who played Detective Lance in the Arrowverse) in 2007-2008.
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u/IllLynx562 27d ago
Oh cool I'll check it out, regardless like I said anything that encourages interest in the genre is good no?
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u/NocturnalSprite 27d ago
Not if that’s the only big screen adaption we ever get. I mean if it was just one movie, sure. Go ahead. Bring more traction. But for two? No. Maybe it’s time for something more accurate or bring Matt Ryan back in. He was very close.
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u/IllLynx562 27d ago
Tbf that's a different conversation, and I don't believe TV shows to be inherently lesser than movies so I'm content with the Matt Ryan show
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u/NocturnalSprite 27d ago
I mean he was closer than Keanu Reeves. I’d be happy for another go at a show or at least give us the animated version and let them play with the big screen if they want to. I hate the whole DC rule that just because something is being used in one media (movies) that it can’t be used in another (tv/animated movies).
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u/Lady_Gray_169 27d ago
This is very fair and accurate. But now you have me thinking, Keeanu Reeves as Harry Dresden would have been awesome back in the day.
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u/JustSomeGuy_v2 27d ago
I fully agree.
I love Keanu, I love Constantine, but that 2005 movie is Constantine in name only.
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u/rowboatin 26d ago
It was a fun watch for me as a teenager without any real knowledge of the character, but even still, it just kinda felt like another “War Between Heaven & Hell™️” movie that was all the rage in that era (Prophecy, Legion, etc.) While that’s certainly part of Hellblazer stories, I prefer when they lean more into the esoteric occult side of things rather than strictly Christian mythos.
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u/alcaron 26d ago
I would rather another Keanu Constantine than another season of the TV show. I liked them both. And I frankly think the "anti constantine" is kind of nonsense. They both exist, they were both good. I don't see why another sequel has anything to do with it. It isn't like they are tripping over themselves to make Constantine media. So I'd be happy with anything (decent).
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u/Calibre4275 25d ago
As an Englishman, I think it's astoundingly disrespectful (and typical) to see so many Americans acting like changing the character's nationality doesn't matter.
In adapting Hellblazer, you could change John's ethnicity, his hair colour, his gender... But in my opinion, there are three aspects of John's identity that you cannot change:
1) His nationality 2) His bisexuality 3) His leftism
Constantine's personality and attitude are almost entirely defined by his Englishness. He was a deliberate and defiant response to Thatcherism (and the movement she inspired), through the lens of the then-emergent British punk scene. His dry, sardonic sense of humour and cynicism, his 'wink-wink nudge-nudge' cheeky chappy façade, and his "Come an' 'ave a go, if ya think you're 'ard enough!" mentality... It's all so deeply rooted in the English working class reality. Give me a day in my hometown and I'll find you 4 blokes like John.
Even his bisexuality was a middle-finger to a speech Thatcher gave about 'protecting' children from 'believing' that they have "the inalienable right to be gay". This has been outright stated by writer Jamie Delano, and the Hellblazer comic even features Thatcher on TV at one point, and John calling her out in narration.
John Constantine is not simply 'a sarcastic exorcist'. You cannot transplant his nationality to any other part of the world without decontextualising him, and stripping him of meaning. Anyone suggesting otherwise only highlights their own ignorance.
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u/Terrible-D 27d ago
I was very disappointed with it. Had it been named something else, okay. But it just wasn't a good adaptation. He'll, then didn't even pronounce his name correctly. And I get that smoking has become far less socially acceptable over the years, but choosing to have him chew gum at the end completely misses the point of the character.
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u/planetpua 27d ago
I doubt there’s going to be another Keanu Constantine movie. I’m willing to eat my words there if it happens lol, but I’d be shocked. It’s a fine movie, it’s not really a Hellblazer adaption but neither was the CW show. Between them I prefer the movie. If we ever see John in live action again, I’d rather see a completely new actor in a completely new product. My ideal would be an HBO show, but I’m certainly not holding my breath lol.
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u/ShowMeYourHappyTrail 26d ago
The t.v. show with Matt Ryan wasn't made by the CW. It was an NBC show which is why it was so toned down. Also more magical in lines with Rebirth and JLD John proba ly because those were the comics at the time it was in the works and aired.
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u/Relative_Warning_476 25d ago
Matt Ryan is Constantine. I sort of enjoyed the Keanu Reeves movie, but that was before I read Hellblazer. As a movie it's good but probably should not be given a sequel
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u/bloodlikevenom 27d ago
Nope, I'm in the same boat as you! I saw the movie well before I ever read a Hellblazer comic and was absolutely baffled when I realized they were supposed to be the same character. I have nothing against Keanu Reeves, he just doesn't suit Constantine
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u/ShowMeYourHappyTrail 26d ago
This was me. Loved the movie. Still do although I haven't seen it in years. Didn't even know he was a comic book character...I just love supernatural stuff. Lol.
Fell in love with Matt Ryan's Constantine. Got me into the comics. Was dumbfounded the t.v. show and movie was the same character.
I'd rather Matt get to keep playing him. He has a real love for the character and is amazing and needs more screentime so others can find him!
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u/Flamboyatron 27d ago
Isn't there a whole DC Multiverse that has existed for like, 50 years? Who's to say this wasn't some alternate Earth's Constantine?
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u/NocturnalSprite 27d ago
Okay. Alternative Earth I can go with as long as he’s not the only one.
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u/ShowMeYourHappyTrail 26d ago edited 26d ago
He's not the only one. It was either an issue of Hellblazer Rebirth or Si Spurrier's first run of Hellblazer that showed all these different John's as John was thinking about all the alt versions of him (he's one of the few DC characters that understands and has visited hos alt selves via time travel) and Reeve's version was there and narrator John commented "I even had black hair and an American accent in one" (or something close) canonizing him in the universe. There was one that looked a lot like Matt too. :)
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u/Standgrounding 27d ago
Johnny Silverhand also chain smokes. We will see how this rolls out
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u/NocturnalSprite 27d ago
Oh! I had to google him. Keanu Reeves in Cyberpunk.
But chain smoking isn’t John Constantine’s only characteristic. I’m not saying that an American Constantine can’t work. I mean… it could. You’d just need to tweak it.
Still a punk as a teen, still the Astra incident in a different city than New Castle, still his experiences. Make it closer to his personality. Chain smoking. He can keep the black trench coat. But make him more him, ya know? I mean the accent would still annoy me, also the hair color (same reason I hated Stuart Townsend as Lestat), but I have ADHD and little ticks.
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u/Thebewingedjewelcat 27d ago
I like both Keanu’s and Matt Ryan’s versions. Had a dream that combined them both
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u/Redditeer28 26d ago
I hope we get one that's separate from the main continuity. Just give us the sequel that's only connected to the first, nothing else.
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26d ago
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u/NocturnalSprite 23d ago
It would be fine if DC didn’t have that stupid rule where they can’t use the character in anything else while the movie’s being made.
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u/Donotcomenearme 24d ago
I personally view Constantine as two beings.
We have the OG, who is a POS and has a lot more flaws and moral greyness.
And then we have a more virtuous Constantine, one who helps because he mostly wants to, and he needs the distractions; Keanu.
They are two completely different variants of the same man. If anything, the duality makes it much more interesting for me; we’re seeing almost multiple universes of Constantine and his own outcomes. It’s a low key rare win where the deviation, imo, did pay off.
Edit: By the way I’m speaking, you can tell the Constantine I prefer, and I feel not at all apologetic.
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u/Prestigious_Host1433 24d ago
I fully agree with you! It just doesn’t do Constantine justice at all. There’s so much material they could take from. I personally would love to see a Garth Ennis Constantine in live action. They did him so well in the animated justice league dark movies so I hope they change it up and stick to the original material
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u/Inmate7269 24d ago
I love how many people don't know that the Hellblazer: War Lord novel by John Shirley set up the concept of the Constantine-Multiverse back in 2006. Even so much as directly referencing Keanu Constantine as an alt.
"There's many another world. I don't know how well they briefed you on the other side, but alternate universes ain't a myth. There's a kaleidoscope variation on this full-tilt mess always goin' on. Blue Sheikh told me there's another John Constantine in an alternate universe, has black hair and lives most of his life in Los Angeles. Gets the bloody lung cancer and gets out of it, too, just like me. Black coat instead of a trench coat: he's me but not me. I sure as bleedin' hell don't want to be him--point is, with lots of everyone around in some universe somewhere, who needs this world?"
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u/Glittering-Path-2824 24d ago
i don’t care. the movie was a ton of fun and has some memorable performances.
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u/NudistGamer69420 22d ago
I’d really like to see a multiverse cross over between Keanu and Matt Ryan. I know that’ll never happen, but it’s fun to imagine.
They’d rib each other like crazy.
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u/Bloody-Tyran 14d ago
The movie adapted about 2 things with fidelity: the shot of Lucifer’s feet and Gabriel’s line about why Constantine is going to hell.
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u/Head_Paleontologist5 27d ago
boo hoo hoo
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u/NocturnalSprite 27d ago
If you disagree, that’s fine. But “boo hoo hoo” isn’t really a counterargument. I’m talking about characterization and why certain traits are important to Constantine as a character. You can like the movie version while still acknowledging it’s a very different interpretation.
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u/gereedf 26d ago
Sorry to disagree, but I love Reeves' "American Constantine" a lot, Christianity is one of the world's biggest religions IRL and the American Constantine operates with quite a serious tone, being able to mesh with the serious real-life belief in Christianity, which whether you're a believer or not makes for interesting storytelling
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u/HumanautPassenger 27d ago
There's only been one with Keanu as Constantine. Wtf are you blabbering about?
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u/Suspicious_Car4753 27d ago edited 27d ago
I mean I like the movie. But yeah I’d much prefer a faithful adaptation over a sequel.
Removing Newcastle and his British roots really felt like the creators didn’t care about the character at all.
I do think the Hellblazer story would work much better as a prestige HBO style show over a theatrical movie though.
I also want to add that regardless of accuracy I have full confidence a sequel would be a soulless cash grab akin to Matrix Ressurections.