Demons and ghouls beware. After an absence of almost a decade, Constantine is finally poised to get the sequel it always deserved. With Keanu Reeves set to reprise the lead role as the damaged demonologist, John Constantine, excitement is high for the follow-up to the 2005 film Constantine. Francis Lawrence, director of Constantine, is also set to retake the helm for the sequel.
The original film focused on a terminally ill John Constantine as he struggled to find a way to save his soul from hell following his impending death. Not exactly what one might call a social butterfly, Constantine spends his days smoking copious amounts of cigarettes while he embarks to free the world from the oppression of dark and evil forces at night. Along the way, he joins up with Isabel Dodson, played by Rachel Weisz, and even crosses paths with the archangel Gabriel, played by Tilda Swinton. Peter Stormare, who is also set to return for the sequel, turned in a chillingly cold and calculated performance as the ruler of hell himself, Lucifer.
Unfortunately, the film found mixed reviews, and early hopes to create a franchise were scrapped. Yet, a vocal fan base has been clamoring for a sequel ever since, and their numbers have only grown throughout the passing years. Finally, the demons of hell have a reason to fear once more.
The long-awaited follow-up has entered early development, which is all the internet needed for the fan theories to begin pouring in. While there is no current information on what the plot of Constantine 2 will focus on, there is an abundance of comic book arcs that would make worthy contenders.
Original Sins Is a Great Way to Reintroduce Constantine
DC Comics
This series is the first in-depth exploration of Constantine’s particularly terrifying universe. The comic arc ran for nine issues and offered loosely interconnected events that helped develop the world’s often brutal tone. Additionally, this particular collection gave a more complex and varied look at John Constantine – a man with his fair share of demons.
This series saw John at his best and also at his worst, offering plenty of great source material for the sequel to draw upon. After a seventeen-year absence, “Original Sins” would serve as a great place to jump back into the mystical world of John Constantine.
Haunted Offers Plenty of Murder and Mystery
When Constantine is mistakenly delivered a tabloid, he discovers that a former girlfriend has been the victim of a grizzly murder. He sets out to investigate the crime scene and soon encounters the ghost of his former lover. Through the course of several issues, Constantine discovers the murderer to be Joshua Wright, a dark magician obsessed with body modification as well as inflicting his twisted will on innocents.
This particular story contains all the ingredients that make Constantine the enduring character of the shadows that he is – murder, mystery, and a strong helping of the otherworldly. Further, the wicked Joshua Wright presents a challenging and versatile contrast to Constantine. Both possess a similar physical appearance as well as a propensity for the dark arts. Wright challenges Constantine’s moral and ethical hangups, as few and as far between as they may be.
In all, viewers could expect a tense and exhilarating movie experience that also presented Constantine with plenty of opportunities for some much-needed self-reflection.
Down All the Days / Rough Trade Would See Constantine Go Full Anti-Hero
The CW
Constantine takes a break from ghosts and demons in this two-part arc. Instead, he is forced to contend with the vicious king of vampires named Darius. Darius feeds on the lowly and underprivileged citizens who roam the streets, highlighting the callous indifference of a society that chooses to look the other way. John Constantine will need to be at his best as he faces off against the first vampire. But is the drunken demonologist up to the task?
Constantine’s stories are often best when the character himself is at his worst. Fully embracing his anti-hero tendencies and depicting an intoxicated Constantine wandering the dark streets helps to humanize the character with relatable struggles and failures.
The Devil You Know Would Introduce Negal
Much like Wolverine, John Constantine rarely has the time or patience for easy banter. He has a habit of cutting to the chase and possesses a particular knack for making human and otherworldly enemies. Constantine is universally despised in hell, but no demon hates him more than Nergal. Being a demon, Nergal can look like just about whatever he wants. However, he typically takes the shape of a tall, red-toned man with sharp fangs and claws. His monstrous form – a hideous mixture of fly, dog, and human – is one sure to leave a lasting image.
This story sees Constantine’s first victory over Nergal, who would go on to become a recurring threat. Introducing Negal in Constantine 2 would go a long way toward fleshing out Constantine’s history, in addition to establishing a solid villain with deadly motivations.
