Long before DC Comics had its own cinematic universe — or Marvel had one, for that matter — Keanu Reeves starred in Constantine, based on DC and Vertigo comics magical superhero. The movie wasn’t really a hit with critics — it’s got a 46 percent on Rotten Tomatoes — or with audiences (it grossed a so-so $230 million worldwide against a reported $100 million budget).

But then a strange thing happened. People fell in love with Constantine. Through the years, the film became a cult hit, and one of Keanu’s most popular movies. (At least among people on the internet who like to talk about Keanu Reeves movies, which is a specialized group, I admit.) When asked which of his movies, he’d like to return to, he often mentioned Constantine — and even revealed in December of last year that he’d actually tried to get a sequel off the ground, but that Warner Bros. wouldn’t go for it.

Well, they finally went for it. Deadline says that Warner Bros. is going to “develop” a Constantine sequel starring Keanu Reeves, with the original film’s director and writer, Francis Lawrence and Akiva Goldsman, both involved as director and writer again.

It’s a very surprising turn of events, particularly since just a few months ago, Keanu was moping on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert over the fact that he couldn’t get the movie to happen. Remember folks: Never underestimate the power of looking sad on the national airwaves.

No word on when we might see Constantine 2, but apparently — 17 years after the original movie came and went — it is now in the works. What a world.

Every DC Comics Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best

From Superman and the Mole Men to The Suicide Squad, we ranked every movie based on DC comics.

More From 101.9 KING-FM