John Constantine - in Other Media

In Other Media

John Constantine was portrayed by Keanu Reeves in the 2005 film Constantine. The film used some elements from Garth Ennis' "Dangerous Habits" story arc (issues #41-46) and others — such as the inclusion of Papa Midnite — from the "Original Sins" trade paperback. However, the film changed several aspects of the source material, including a number of cosmetic changes to the lead character: Reeves played the role with his natural accent and hair colour and basing him in Los Angeles, although the director pointed out that the comic book was not exclusively set in London either. Other differences to the Can Soylu were made, for example giving him a psychic ability to see "half breeds" as they truly are - a curse that caused him to attempt suicide which in turn damned him to Hell. He was also given the ability to rend invisible beings in his proximity visible by using the incantation "Into the light I summon thee" and two magical glyphs (called "The Perfect Red King" from Eugenius Philalethes's "The Speculum Veritatis") on his arms to combine, which he uses to uncloak the half breed Gabriel directly after she attacked his friend Chas. Unlike the comic version, Constantine's exorcism tools are primarily based on Christian relics rather than generic supernatural items; the novelisation expanded on this by explaining that, as Constantine comes from a Christian culture, he has a greater natural understanding of the power of Christian relics that makes it easier for him to use them. Constantine's exorcisms as a consequence are motivated by a desire to redeem himself, yet they are constantly doomed to fail as everything he has done has fundamentally been for his own benefit rather than for the selfless betterment of others. The resolution of the lung cancer plotline in the film was also amended, with Lucifer saving the redeemed Constantine to give him a second chance at failing after Constantine willingly sacrificed a chance to save his own life to ask Satan to send the innocent Isabel Dodson to Heaven after she committed suicide to prevent herself being used as a host for a demonic incursion, this selfless deed allowing Constantine to regain his place in Heaven.

The noir fiction author John Shirley is credited in making three Hellblazer novels, including the novelization of the film. The novel Hellblazer: War Lord features Constantine talking about "another John Constantine in an alternate universe, has black hair and lives most of his life in Los Angeles" whilst giving a brief summary of the movie's plot.

THQ released a video game movie tie-in of the movie entitled Constantine.