Keanu Reeves to return as John Constantine

Keanu Reeves is set to reprise his role as John Constantine, 17 years after the original movie was released.

The actor first portrayed the character in 2005 DC Comics-based film Constantine, with a sequel, Constantine 2, now in the works with Warner Bros.

Francis Lawrence will also be returning as director after making his debut with the original, meaning he and Keanu, 58, will reunite for a second instalment of the supernatural thriller.

The screenplay will be written by Akiva Goldsman, who will also produce the project through Weed Road Pictures, alongside Bad Robot’s J.J. Abrams and Hannah Minghella. Details of the sequel are being kept under wraps, but Keanu himself previously expressed his love for the role, so it’s no surprise he’s making a comeback.

Speaking about the demon hunter in conversation with Variety, Keanu said: ‘I just loved that world, and I love that character.’

Also starring the likes of Rachel Weisz (Angela), Tilda Swinton (Gabriel), and Shia LaBeouf (Chas Kramer), the original movie follows detective Angela who ‘approaches Constantine, an exorcist, to help her investigate her twin sister’s death.’ However, as he digs deeper, he realises a ‘dark conspiracy’ which could threaten the world.’

The end of the film sees John Constantine dying, but he sticks around to save his soul by keeping demons from hell from breaching earth. He also gets between a battle between the archangel Gabriel and Lucifer.

While the rest of the cast is yet to be revealed, Swedish actor Peter Stormare will also be returning, after playing Lucifer, also known as Satan or the Devil, in the 2005 flick, with whom Keanu’s character got into battle with.

A release date for the Constantine sequel is yet to be announced.