Keanu Reeves May Be Popular, but James Gunn Has 1 Opportunity To Fix DC’s Most Misused Antihero

Keanu Reeves has enjoyed a long-standing reign as one of Hollywood’s most beloved action stars.

His roles in iconic films like The Matrix, Speed, and most recently, the John Wick franchise, have solidified his place in cinematic history.

Reeves’ presence in the superhero world is no less significant, especially considering his portrayal of John Constantine in the 2005 film.

Although the film deviated from the comic book origins in many ways, it has maintained a cult following, with fans clamoring for a sequel for years.

But while Reeves continues to thrive, there’s a critical opportunity ahead for DC Studios—one that doesn’t rely solely on his star power.

James Gunn, now co-CEO of DC Studios, holds the key to revitalizing a character that has long been mishandled: Constantine, DC’s most misused antihero.

The character of John Constantine, originally created by Alan Moore, Steve Bissette, and John Totleben, first appeared in 1985 in the pages of Swamp Thing.

A chain-smoking, cynical British occult detective with a dark sense of humor, Constantine quickly became a fan favorite.

His solo series, Hellblazer, delved into mature, philosophical, and often disturbing territory, giving readers a grounded, gritty hero unlike most in the DC universe.

Despite the depth of the character in the comics, Constantine has suffered from inconsistent and often tone-deaf adaptations in other media.

The 2005 film was entertaining but Americanized the character, stripping away much of his nuance.

The short-lived NBC series in 2014, while closer in tone, failed to gain traction.

Even his appearances in animated films and the Arrowverse left fans wanting more.

Constantine, with all his flaws and complexity, deserves a faithful, well-developed adaptation that captures his spirit—and James Gunn might be the one to deliver it.

Gunn has proven himself a master of revitalizing lesser-known or misfit characters.

With Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, he took a team of obscure figures and turned them into global icons.

Then, with The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker for DC, he demonstrated his unique ability to blend dark humor, heart, and chaos into something cohesive and compelling.

Gunn has a distinct style: he embraces the weird, the flawed, and the emotionally wounded.

That ethos aligns perfectly with Constantine, a man perpetually haunted by his past, his failures, and his own sense of doom.

Constantine isn’t a shining superhero—he’s a man who walks the line between salvation and damnation, often dragging others down with him.

Under Gunn’s direction, a rebooted Constantine could finally break through the studio mishandling that has plagued him for decades.

Recasting Constantine will be one of the most critical decisions.

While Reeves’ portrayal has a strong fanbase, the future of DC’s cinematic universe requires a version more aligned with the comic source material.

This means returning to the character’s British roots, his working-class demeanor, and his morally gray personality.

Actors like Tom Sturridge, Joe Gilgun, or even rising talents from British television could bring a fresh yet authentic take on the role.

Gunn is known for giving unconventional actors the spotlight, and Constantine’s role demands someone who can balance charisma with the character’s trademark bitterness.

Moreover, the supporting cast and storyline should reflect the surreal, horror-infused tone of Hellblazer.

Supernatural elements, dark magic, and psychological depth should be the core of the narrative—not flashy action scenes or overused CGI.

The timing for this reboot couldn’t be better.

With the DC Universe undergoing a full-scale reset under Gunn and Peter Safran, there’s room to introduce characters who are fundamentally different from the typical capes-and-tights crowd.

Constantine fits this niche perfectly.

He operates in the shadows, deals with demons—both literal and internal—and functions outside traditional hero systems.

Audiences are also more receptive now to morally complex protagonists, as seen with the success of shows like The Boys and films like Joker.

Constantine’s tale could tap into current themes of corruption, disillusionment, and spiritual crisis, resonating with a world that increasingly mirrors the chaos he’s used to battling.

Marketing a new Constantine film or series under James Gunn’s direction would also be a strategic advantage.

Gunn’s name has become synonymous with quality storytelling and cult success.

His presence alone could attract skeptical audiences who were burned by past DC failures.

Pair this with a clever campaign focused on Constantine’s dark allure—perhaps emphasizing his antihero status, or the gritty, street-level magic he deals with—and the result could be a pop culture moment.

Add to that a mature rating, practical effects over CGI, and a commitment to psychological storytelling, and you have the makings of something truly original within the DCU.

In the end, Keanu Reeves may still have a place in the DC Universe—perhaps even reprising an Elseworlds version of Constantine for nostalgic or multiversal reasons—but the path forward for the character demands a bold new approach.

James Gunn has the creative freedom and vision to do justice to Constantine in a way that past adaptations never could.

By grounding the story in real human flaws, diving deep into horror, and embracing the moral ambiguity that defines John Constantine, Gunn has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fix DC’s most misused antihero.

The question now is whether he will seize it—and if so, how far into the dark he’s willing to go to bring Constantine’s twisted world to life.