A “Constantine” series is under initial development at HBO Max, Variety learned from the sources.
At the moment, the search for an actor to lead the series in the role of John Constantine, with Guy Bolton hired to write. According to sources, the show would be linked to the “Justice League Dark” series that is currently underway on the streamer with the executive production of JJ Abrams by Bad Robot.
The show would follow a younger version of the character and focus more on the horror elements of comics than on religious ones.
HBO Max declined to comment.
It has not yet been officially confirmed which DC characters would be included in the “Justice League Dark” series, but Constantine was part of the team in the comics, as well as heroes like Swamp Thing, Madame Xanadu, Deadman and Doctor Mist, among others. Most likely the main characters on the show would have their own standalone series before joining forces in “Justice League Dark”, similar to the strategy that the now defunct division of Marvel Television has made with its Netflix shows in “The Defenders”. This series brought together Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist after each appeared on their own streamer programs.
John Constantine has been portrayed on the screen in both cinema and television in the past. The character’s first live-action incarnation was played by Keanu Reeves in the 2005 film “Constantine”. Matt Ryan then played the character in the NBC series “Constantine” before reprising the role in the CW series “Arrow” and “Legends of Tomorrow ”.
If the series moves forward, it will be the latest in a growing list of DC projects that reach HBO Max and connect with the DC Extended Universe established in the films. John Cena is set to reprise the role of Peacemaker in an HBO Max series that connects with James Gunn’s upcoming film “Suicide Squad”, while the streamer is also preparing a Gotham PD show that will connect to the events of “The Batman”, starring Robert Pattinson.
Vulcan Reporter broke the news that the “Constantine” series was in development.