J.J. Abrams’ Constantine and Madame X shows are no longer in the works for HBO Max.
On Friday, the shocking news came that Keanu Reeves is reprising the role of John Constantine in a sequel to the 2005 film. Francis Lawrence is also set to return in the director’s chair, with Akiva Goldsman writing the script.
What Does Constantine 2 Mean for the HBO Max Series?
Prior to the news of a Constantine sequel with Keanu Reeves, J.J. Abrams was notably developing Constantine and Madame X shows for HBO Max. It was previously reported the Constantine series from Abrams was still alive at the streamer. However, according to Variety, the DC shows he was developing will no longer hit HBO Max, and the decision was not made because of creative reasons.
The report notes that HBO Max was in talks with an actor to play John Constantine and that both shows will be shopped around to other streamers like Batman: Caped Crusader. Abrams will still be a producer on the Keanu Reeves project.
Here is the synopsis for the 2005 film:
Based on the DC Comics/Vertigo Hellblazer graphic novels and written by Kevin Brodbin and Frank Cappello, Constantine tells the story of John Constantine (Keanu Reeves), a man who has literally been to hell and back. When he teams up with skeptical policewoman Angela Dodson (Rachel Weisz) to solve the mysterious suicide of her twin sister, their investigation takes them through the world of demons and angels that exists just beneath the landscape of contemporary Los Angeles. Caught in a catastrophic series of otherworldly events, the two become inextricably involved and seek to find their own peace at whatever cost.
Directed by Francis Lawrence, the film stars Keanu Reeves, Rachel Weisz, Shia LaBeouf, Tilda Swinton, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Djimon Hounsou, Gavin Rossdale, and Peter Stormare.
Constantine is available on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital. Stay tuned to Heroic Hollywood for all the latest news surrounding the future of DC, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more content!
Source: Variety
