Sometimes cited as among the most underrated Keanu Reeves films, the actor has consistently spent the past two decades citing this Francis Lawrence flick as one of his most favorite — and the one he'd most like to sequelize.
An adaptation of DC's "Hellblazer" comics, the film cast him as John Constantine, a freelance exorcist dying of cancer, damned to hell but desperately hoping to buy his way into heaven by performing good deeds. Set against the backdrop of an ongoing war between angels and demons, the star-studded film boasted sick visuals, dark themes and an incredible cast including memorable work from Rachel Weisz, Shia LaBeouf, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Tilda Swinton, Gavin Rossdale and Peter Stormare in what might just be his most off-the-wall performance ever (which is really saying something when you're talking about Peter Stormare).
With years of comics to draw from, and superhero adaptations increasing in popularity, a sequel to this film should have been a slam dunk. But the movie received a tepid box office response (its R-rating likely didn't help), and faded into comic film obscurity alongside the likes of "Steel," "Spawn" and "Jonah Hex," even if it was much better than any of them.
Keanu stated again recently in an interview with Stephen Colbert that he's been trying to get a sequel made for years, and that both he and Lawrence would love to return. The groundwork seems to have been laid for a Hulk-like renaissance, as DC animated efforts like 2016's "Justice League Dark" have continued to keep the Constantine character front-and-center and a 2014 — 2015 David S. Goyer-co-created "Constantine" TV series generally received favorable reviews and a loyal audience. That version (played not by Keanu but Matt Ryan) was revived for the CW's "Legends of Tomorrow." Beyond that, it is currently unknown if a direct sequel to the film will ever move forward.
