Francis Lawrence Says He Is Hopeful for Constantine 2
Francis Lawrence says he is feeling hopeful that a sequel to Constantine could finally get made, now that James Gunn and Peter Safran have left DC Studios. Lawrence, who directed the 2005 film starring Keanu Reeves, spoke in an interview with Collider, as reported by Deadline.
The director said the project is not starting from nothing. There is an idea and a script, and he and his collaborators have been trying to make a second film for more than 20 years. He said the people who were at DC had been an obstacle to getting it done.
Lawrence also said J.J. Abrams is part of the effort, joining him, Reeves and Akiva Goldsman. Goldsman co-wrote the original film's screenplay.
DC Studios is the film division that oversees DC Comics characters such as Superman and Batman at Warner Bros. Gunn and Safran led it. A sequel to a film made outside that division would still need agreement from several parties, and Lawrence named them directly. He said getting a Constantine sequel made will require people at Paramount, at Warner Bros. and whoever is now running DC to get on board.
That list is the real story here. A director can have a script, a star and a producer with a famous name, and still need the approval of the companies that control the rights and the money. Lawrence's comments point to that gap without saying how or when it might close.
No deal, start date or production budget has been announced. Lawrence's remarks describe intent and interest rather than a confirmed project. Any next step would depend on the studios he named.
