The NBC series Constantine may be dead, but John Constantine himself lives on. It was announced yesterday during the Television Critics Association summer press tour that Matt Ryan will reprise his role as the chain-smoking occultist during Arrow Season 4. John will stop by Starling City in Episode 5, titled “Haunted,” to help Oliver Queen “when arrows aren't enough.” This news is undoubtedly exciting for fans of DC’s Hellblazer, and one of Arrow’s showrunners was quick to point out that Constantine’s introduction on Arrow makes sense story-wise given the mystical elements at play this fall.
Executive producer Marc Guggenheim revealed that much like how previous Arrow seasons introduced new elements that changed this DC TV world, John’s presence will (of course) play heavily into the Season 4 introduction of magic. Here's how Guggenheim put it, according to TV Insider:
Each year on the show, we have added and expanded the mythology with different elements. In Season 2 we introduced the idea of superpowers, last year brought in the League of Assassins, and for Season 4, we always had a plan to introduce magic and mysticism. We were already swimming in those waters and that's why Constantine is this great organic little development.
Guggenheim also hinted that John’s role will factor into the consequences of reviving Sara Lance in the Lazarus Pit. Unlike Thea, Sara was dead for quite some time when she was brought back to life, and John will be “uniquely suited” to help Team Arrow deal with the aftermath of this.
It’s already been revealed that Oliver has previous experience with magic (which we’ll see in flashbacks), so he’ll react fairly calmly to John’s particular skill set, but the Emerald Archer’s allies will undoubtedly be more surprised by what the smart-ass magician is able to do. Superpowers are one thing, but seeing spells conjured is its own crazy experience. Arrow is also going the extra mile by digging John's shirt, tie and trench coat out of storage, so actor Matt Ryan will look just like the version of the character seen on NBC last season.
Constantine was cancelled by NBC after its first season concluded in February, and although attempts were made to find it another home, they were all unsuccessful. However, it was revealed afterwards that when the show was still airing, there had been talk of having John Constantine guest star on Arrow, and these discussions resumed once it was clear Constantine wouldn’t get a second season. John’s guest spot is described as a “one-time-only deal,” but if he is well-received on Arrow, it’s hard to imagine DC not reconsidering their stance and bringing him back again, even if he can’t be a major recurring player.
Arrow Season 4 will premiere on Wednesday, October 7, on The CW.
