While Constantine has been performing decently during its brief run, its future is still unclear. NBC didn’t order more episodes for its first season and the network hasn’t decided whether the show will return for a second season. However, even if the worst happens to the TV series, series lead Matt Ryan has his sights on bigger game: donning the trench coat and tie on the big screen for Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice.
Ryan recently discussed whether we could ever see his TV character appear on the big screen alongside Batman and Superman. While he pointed out the business intricacies of pulling off something like that to The Mirror, the actor certainly seemed game for a team-up.
“I’m not sure. The show’s made by Warner Bros., which has the deal with DC, and it’s licensed to NBC, so I don’t know how the ins and outs of that work. But as an actor, how amazing would that be to do a crossover?”
While the prospect of seeing dabbler of the dark arts John Constantine fighting evil alongside the Man of Steel and the Caped Crusader is an interesting one, it’s also one that probably wouldn’t be able to happen for awhile. For one thing, Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice recently wrapped up filming, and while several other superheroes will be appearing in the film, it’s highly unlikely that they’ll dedicate more filming time just to throw in a Constantine cameo. Plus, DC has already made it clear that the TV shows and movies are not connected in any way. Obviously that could change at some point, but for now, Constantine’s mystical world is cut off from the DCCU (as well as DC’s other TV shows).
However, if DC and Warner Bros really put their mind to it, there is a chance that we could one day see Matt Ryan play Constantine in the DC Cinematic Universe. Guillermo del Toro recently turned in his screenplay for the Justice League Dark film Dark Universe, which may end up existing in the DCCU. Constantine has already been mentioned as one of the characters in the project, which isn’t surprising, given that he was the team’s original leader. Del Toro also previously stated that while Constantine wouldn’t affect Dark Universe, he would be amenable to using the same actor to play the mystical conman. Which means that some day, if the magical DC superheroes team up with the Justice League, we could theoretically see Ryan play John Constantine on the big screen. With all the praise that Ryan has been receiving for his portrayal of the character, if Dark Universe becomes a reality, Warner Bros. would be wise to consider giving the actor the chance to reprise the role for the big screen.
In the meantime, NBC's Constantine will return on Friday, January 16 in its new 8 p.m. timeslot.
