Constantine at 20: The Origin of the Theological Neo-Noir Comic Book Action Story

      Hasitha Fernando explores the backstory of the 2005 comic book film Constantine, featuring Keanu Reeves as DC's Hellblazer.

      Constantine premiered during a time when comic book adaptations were still evolving into the phenomenon we see today. Even now, the film stands out for its daring stylistic decisions and narrative choices. As it commemorates its 20th anniversary, we delve into the behind-the-scenes events that occurred during its production.

      The project lingered in development limbo for an extended period.

      John Constantine first appeared in The Saga of Swamp Thing (vol.2) #37, published by DC Comics in June 1985. Initially, he was a supporting character, but by January 1988, he had his solo debut in Hellblazer. The character became one of DC Vertigo's most successful and longest-running titles, remaining the only one from the imprint since its inception.

      Producer Lauren Shuler Donner, known for her work on the Fox X-Men films, attempted to develop the property in 1997. In 1999, acclaimed music video director Paul Hunter joined the project briefly, but was replaced in 2001 by Tarsem Singh, known for The Cell. Warner Bros. hoped to merge Singh's dark visuals with Nicolas Cage’s unpredictable nature, but Singh was not interested in Cage for the lead role and left, resulting in numerous lawsuits between him and the studio. However, the introduction of Keanu Reeves in 2002 revitalized the stalled project.

      Allan Moore chose to distance himself from the film.

      Allan Moore, the brilliant yet eccentric writer behind iconic comic books and graphic novels such as Watchmen, V for Vendetta, Swamp Thing, and Batman: The Killing Joke, expressed his discontent with past adaptations of his works, like From Hell and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. As a result, he opted to have no involvement with Constantine and requested that his earnings be shared among the other co-creators of the character.

      The film made several changes to the original material to attract investors.

      In the comics, John Constantine was depicted as a heavy-drinking, chain-smoking occult detective from Liverpool, intended to resemble the blond musician Sting. However, the movie reimagined him as a dark-haired American from Los Angeles, a shift largely understood to be made to suit Keanu Reeves but was actually a calculated move to draw in financial support, which proved effective. Additionally, the film incorporated elements from Garth Ennis’ “Dangerous Habits” story arc and details from the Original Sin trade paperback. The title was also changed from Hellblazer to prevent confusion with Clive Barker’s Hellraiser films and Guillermo del Toro’s Hellboy series.

      The distinct portrayal of hell was influenced by nuclear test footage.

      Director Francis Lawrence aimed for a unique representation of hell, which was developed through extensive discussions with the visual effects supervisor and production designer. They envisioned hell as a dark reflection of contemporary Los Angeles and drew inspiration from 1940s nuclear test footage. Consequently, hell in Constantine is depicted as a version of Los Angeles trapped in an endless nuclear shockwave, where destruction does not occur.

      Lucifer’s design initially differed significantly.

      Peter Stormare's portrayal of Lucifer is a defining aspect of the film. In an interview with The A.V. Club published on August 28, 2017, Stormare shared that he personally designed Lucifer's costume, which featured an off-white linen suit with tar seeping from his feet. The director and producers initially envisioned Lucifer with "leather trousers, bare-chested, a spiked dog collar," and facial and chest tattoos. As a devout Christian, Stormare accepted the role because he was allowed to interpret the character as he saw fit and portray his vision of the Devil.

      Rachel Weisz wished for more romantic elements in the film.

      Director Francis Lawrence initially aimed to exclude any romantic plotlines from Constantine, focusing more on dark fantasy and horror. Nevertheless, Rachel Weisz expressed during an interview her desire to share a kiss with her co-star Keanu Reeves, feeling the moment was appropriate during certain scenes, especially the lengthy rooftop sequence. She reflected, "It just had a little noir feeling to it. I thought that finally I was going to get kissed, but it was not to be."

      Shia LaBeouf was recommended for the role by Will Smith.

      Two decades ago, Shia LaBeouf was emerging on the film scene, featuring in supporting roles in films like Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, and I, Robot. It was his performance in the latter, where he acted alongside Will Smith, that led to his casting in Constantine. Akiva Goldsman, the producer and screenwriter for I, Robot, also held the same roles for Constantine, and Will Smith spoke highly of LaBeouf to Goldsman, recommending him for the part