CONSTANTINE 2 Director Francis Lawrence Offers Update, Says They "Want to Make a Real Rated R Version of It"

It’s been a little over a year since it was announced that Warner Bros. was going to be developing Constantine 2 with Keanu Reeves returning to star in Francis Lawrence returning to direct. Between then and now there has been a pit of uncertainty with the film project, especially with James Gunn and Peter Safran taking over DC Studios after it was announced.

When previously asked about the status of the project, Reeves said: “I was hoping it would, but we don’t know. Yeah, we’re trying.” He later went on to say: "I think they're trying to figure out what to do with that. Hopefully, I can reprise the role of John Constantine, but it remains to be seen. Yeah. But I hope so. I hope so."

The last update we had on the project came from screenwriter Akiva Goldsman who said the project is still a go and that he’s broken the story for it. This was during the writer’s strike and he said: “My pens are down, so there’s nothing to do. But, yeah, those are the next things I’m writing when I’m allowed to write again, and I had already begun [I Am] Legend 2 when we [started striking], and Francis [Lawrence], Keanu [Reeves], and I have broken Constantine 2. I just haven’t started typing yet.”

Now Lawrence has offered a recent update on the status of the sequel, and while talking with Gamespot, he said the script still needs to be written and that they are looking to make it rated R. He said:

“So Constantine 2 got obviously held up by the writers strike, and we had to jump through a bunch of hurdles to get control of the character again, because other people had control of the Vertigo stuff. We have control. Keanu and Akiva Goldsman and I have been in meetings and have been hashing out what we think the story is going to be, and there’s more meetings of those that have to happen — the script has to be written — but really hoping that we get to do Constantine 2, and make a real rated R version of it.”

It’s great to know that the project is still in development! Reeves has shared his excitement for the project, and it’s something he’s been trying to get made for years. He previously said: "I don't know if it was unfinished business but it was definitely a role that I loved. And I thought that Francis Lawrence, the director, did such amazing work. I loved playing that character, and I really enjoyed the film. I was like, [in a Oliver Twist voice] 'Can I please have some more?' I kept asking almost every year. I'd be like, 'Can I please?' and they'd be like, 'No, no!'" 

But, then one day he finally got the go! Reeves said: "So it's exciting. It's almost like an open playground that we can hopefully cook something up and play in, and I guess get out of the playground and prepare a meal. But I'm looking forward to it, and hopefully, it can happen. You don't know how these things go. But I'm definitely going to try my darndest to try and realize that dream."

What kind of story would you like to see told in Constantine 2?