Last year, word got out that J.J. Abrams was developing a Justice League Dark series for HBO Max. We still don’t know which heroes will be featured on the show, but a number of fans are hoping to see John Constantine, who’s been a card-carrying member of the supernatural team ever since DC launched its namesake comic book series in 2011. However, it looks like Abrams has other plans for the occult detective. Deadline is reporting that a Constantine reboot is in the works at HBO Max.
Abrams will executive produce the new series through his Bad Robot banner. Constantine is just the latest project that Abrams is developing as part of the five-year overall deal he signed with WarnerMedia in late 2019. To write the show, Abrams has enlisted British novelist Guy Bolton. According to the report, Bolton has already written Constantine’s pilot episode and will open the series’ writers room in March.
RELATED: Matt Ryan Wants To Join HBO Max’s Justice League Dark Series
The new series will mark the third Constantine in live-action. Keanu Reeves played the character in his own eponymous film in 2005. That movie was famously criticized for taking several liberties with the Hellblazer comics that inspired it. Regardless, it has gained a cult following in recent years. In 2014, David S. Goyer and Daniel Cerone developed their own Constantine TV series for NBC. The show adhered more closely to the character’s comic book roots. Unfortunately, it only lasted one season on the network. But Ryan was able to continue playing the character in The CW’s Arrowverse, primarily on Legends of Tomorrow.
When Abrams’ Justice League Dark series was announced, Ryan voiced his desire to reprise his role as Constantine. Sadly, that doesn’t seem likely. The new show will apparently depict Constantine as a “young Londoner” this time around. Additionally, the producers are looking to cast a “diverse lead.” Recent rumors have also suggested that the new Constantine will be openly bisexual like his comic book counterpart.
Are you excited to see what Abrams and Bolton have planned for their Constantine reboot? Tell us what you think in the comment section below!
Recommended Reading: John Constantine, Hellblazer, Vol. 1: Original Sins
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