Honestly, it feels like we’ve been waiting for a sign from heaven—or hell—for twenty years now. For the longest time, the idea of a sequel to the 2005 cult classic was just a pipe dream shared by Redditors and Keanu Reeves himself. But things have changed. If you're asking will there be a Constantine 2, the short answer is yes, it's technically in the works.
But "in the works" in Hollywood is a slippery phrase. It doesn't mean you'll be buying popcorn next month.
The project is currently breathing, which is more than we could say for most of the last two decades. We aren't just dealing with rumors anymore. In late 2022, Warner Bros. officially greenlit the sequel, bringing back the original "holy trinity": Keanu Reeves, director Francis Lawrence, and writer Akiva Goldsman.
It’s been a wild ride to get here.
The Current Status: Is It Actually Happening?
Right now, as we move through 2026, the status of the film is "active development." That's industry-speak for "the script exists, but nobody has started building sets yet."
According to recent updates from the team, Akiva Goldsman has finished a draft of the script. In fact, producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura mentioned in late 2025 that the script was sitting in his inbox, though he joked about being "too scared" to read it because he wanted it to be so good.
James Gunn, the guy now running the show at DC Studios, has also confirmed he’s spoken with Keanu about it. This is a huge hurdle cleared. When Gunn and Peter Safran took over, they cancelled a lot of projects to streamline the new DC Universe (DCU). Many fans feared John Constantine would be left in the ash heap.
💡 You might also like: Why This Is How We Roll FGL Is Still The Song That Defines Modern Country
Why the long wait?
- Rights Issues: For years, the rights to the character were tied up in different places. There was the NBC show with Matt Ryan, then the J.J. Abrams "Justice League Dark" project that never quite materialized.
- Regime Changes: Warner Bros. has changed hands and leadership more times than Constantine has flicked a cigarette. Each new boss has a different vision.
- Scheduling: Francis Lawrence has been busy. He just finished The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and is already booked for the next prequel, Sunrise of the Reaping, which is set for a November 2026 release.
The "Elseworlds" Factor
One thing you've gotta understand is that this movie won't be part of the main DCU timeline. You won't see Keanu's Constantine hanging out with the new Superman.
Instead, it’s being labeled as a DC Elseworlds project. This is the same category as Matt Reeves' The Batman or Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker. It’s a standalone universe. This is actually great news. It means the creators don’t have to worry about fitting into a massive, PG-13 interconnected web.
They can go dark. Like, really dark.
Francis Lawrence has been very vocal about his "big, big regret" regarding the first movie. Back in 2005, they tried to follow PG-13 rules—no excessive blood, no "f-bombs"—but the MPAA gave them an R rating anyway just because of the "intensity." Lawrence says this time, since they're getting an R anyway, they’re going to earn it. Think more horror, more grit, and a more "hard R" vibe that fits the Hellblazer comics.
What's the Story About?
While the plot is mostly under wraps, we know it isn't a reboot. It's a direct sequel.
Keanu is 61 now. The character will likely reflect that. We’re looking at an older, more weathered John Constantine. He’s still in Los Angeles—sorry to the comic purists who want him in London—and he’s still dealing with the fallout of his past deals.
📖 Related: The Real Story Behind I Can Do Bad All by Myself: From Stage to Screen
There have been heavy hints that Peter Stormare will return as Lucifer. Honestly, his five minutes of screen time in the original were so iconic it would be a crime not to bring him back. Stormare himself has teased on social media that a sequel was "in the works" long before the studio confirmed it.
Potential Returning Cast
- Keanu Reeves as John Constantine (Confirmed)
- Peter Stormare as Lucifer (Heavily Teased)
- Rachel Weisz as Angela Dodson (Rumored)
- Tilda Swinton as Gabriel (Fan Hope)
When Can We Actually Watch It?
This is where things get a bit sober.
If Francis Lawrence is tied up with The Hunger Games through late 2026, filming for Constantine 2 likely won't start until early 2027. Movies of this scale usually need a year for production and post-production (all those demons take a lot of CGI work).
Realistically, we are looking at a 2028 release date at the earliest.
It sucks. I know. But after waiting twenty years, another two or three feels like a cakewalk. The important thing is that the "no" has finally turned into a "yes." Keanu reportedly spent years "begging" the studio to let him do this. He loves the character. When an actor with that much pull is that passionate, it usually happens eventually.
What You Should Do Now
While we wait for the cameras to start rolling, there are a few things to keep the hype alive.
👉 See also: Love Island UK Who Is Still Together: The Reality of Romance After the Villa
First, keep an eye on the official DC Studios announcements. James Gunn is very active on social media (Threads and Instagram), and he’s usually the first to debunk or confirm rumors.
Second, if you haven't seen the original lately, it's worth a rewatch. A lot of the "wooden" criticism Keanu got in 2005 has aged into what people now see as a perfectly cynical, noir performance.
Finally, don't fall for the "leaked trailers" on YouTube. Most of them are AI-generated concepts or fan-made edits using footage from John Wick and The Devil's Advocate. They look cool, but they aren't real.
The path to Constantine 2 is finally clear of most of its demons. Now, we just need the scheduling gods to play nice.
Key Takeaways for Fans
- The Script is Done: Akiva Goldsman has completed a draft that the producers are currently reviewing.
- R-Rating is the Goal: Expect a much darker, scarier film than the 2005 version.
- Standalone Story: It will be an "Elseworlds" movie, not tied to the main DC Justice League continuity.
- Patience is Required: With the director's current schedule, a 2027 or 2028 release is the most likely window.
Check back for the next major production milestone, which will likely be the official "Greenlight for Production" announcement or the start of casting calls for new characters.