The long-awaited sequel to the 2005 cult classic Constantine is hitting some bumps in the road, with star Keanu Reeves reportedly dissatisfied with the current scripts. In an exclusive interview with The Direct, Peter Stormare, who played Lucifer in the original film, shared that Reeves is pushing back against studio-driven changes that threaten to turn Constantine 2 into an action-heavy spectacle.
The first Constantine, directed by Francis Lawrence, introduced Reeves as John Constantine, a chain-smoking, demon-hunting exorcist from DC Comics’ Hellblazer. Despite mixed reviews and a modest $230.9 million global box office, the film’s dark, spiritual tone and stylish noir vibe earned it a devoted cult following. Now, two decades later, Reeves, Lawrence, and writer Akiva Goldsman are working to bring the sequel to life, but creative differences are slowing things down.
Peter Stormare revealed there’s been “a lot of back and forth” with the scripts, saying Reeves “is not so happy” with versions that lean too heavily into blockbuster action. “The studios want cars flying in the air, people doing flip-flops and fighting action scenes,” Stormare explained, but Reeves is firm about staying true to the original’s grounded, character-driven roots. “I’ve done John Wick,” Stormare quoted Reeves as saying. “This movie is spiritual. It’s about demons and regular people, and I wanted to keep it that way.”
Reeves’ vision aligns with what made the first film stand out: a moody, supernatural thriller that dug into Constantine’s tormented psyche rather than relying on CGI spectacles. Stormare, who’s set to reprise his role as Lucifer, agrees with Reeves, emphasizing that the sequel shouldn’t morph into a “big Marvel” production with “people flying around in harnesses.” He suggested simply building on the first film’s formula, much like The Godfather Part II expanded on its predecessor without losing its core. “Just do the first movie again and add some other elements,” he said.
The sequel has been in development since at least 2010, with Reeves consistently advocating for its return. In February 2025, he and Lawrence pitched a story to DC Studios, getting the green light to develop a script. However, Stormare’s comments suggest the process has hit snags, as Reeves pushes for a story that honors the original’s R-rated, gritty aesthetic. Director Francis Lawrence has also expressed enthusiasm for a “real rated R version,” hinting at a darker, more intense follow-up.
While Stormare hasn’t seen the scripts himself, his “hearsay” from Reeves indicates the actor’s commitment to protecting Constantine’s unique identity. The original film’s success as a slow-burn cult hit—bolstered by memorable performances from Tilda Swinton as Gabriel and Stormare as Lucifer—proves there’s an audience for a sequel that stays true to its roots. Stormare even shared how they fought to keep Lucifer’s look simple in the first film, opting for a sleek off-white suit over cliched devil tropes like pitchforks and tails.
With DC Studios navigating a rebooted DCU under James Gunn and Peter Safran, Constantine 2 is slated as an Elseworlds project, separate from the main universe. But the pressure to deliver a crowd-pleasing blockbuster seems to be clashing with Reeves’ vision. As Stormare put it, “You don’t have to add a lot of action and shootouts. It really worked, and it will work on the audience again.”
For now, fans are left waiting as the team hammers out the script. With Reeves, Lawrence, and Stormare all eager to recapture the original’s magic, the hope is that they’ll land on a story that satisfies both the star and the studio. If they succeed, Constantine 2 could deliver the haunting, soulful sequel fans have been craving for 20 years.