There may already be a sense that the DC Comics Extended Universe is angling too far into the "dark" side of the comic book movie spectrum, but for fans of the publisher's universe, the term "Justice League Dark" means a whole lot more. It's the title of DC and Vertigo's team of supernatural, mystical and occult heroes, united to combat the threats that the regular Justice League can't solve with superpowered punches. And after reports claimed that a film adaptation had become a priority for Warner Bros., we now have a director in place.
Following on the news that Doug Liman (Edge of Tomorrow) has been attached to the project previously shaped and departed by Guillermo Del Toro, the report includes a brand new title for the film: Dark Universe. While that may not be the official final title, the cast of the film seems to have remained the same -- unless Liman is intending on making some changes.
But no matter who else may appear in the film, there's little doubt that it will all be anchored on the human sorcerer John Constantine. With some actors previously rumored to be in the running, and Warner Bros. looking to land top-tier talent for their DC Films, we're running down some of our choices of actors in a list of 15 Actors Who Could Play Constantine In DC's Dark Universe.
15. Joel Edgerton
He may be best known for his quieter or period roles by North American audiences (affecting an American accent), but in Joel Edgerton's earlier work in his native Australia, it was his easygoing charm and personality that won him attention. After transforming himself time and again with a seriously impressive filmography in recent years, the only thing Edgerton is missing is a mainstream, action-focused, big-budget starring role (since Exodus: Gods and Kings turned out to be a BIG swing and miss in that department).
With his dramatic skills more than proven on screen, and the fact that he was once in the running for the role of Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy proving he's popped up on the radar for a major comic book feature before, he's within the realm of possibility. He may not be the most likely choice, but he's one that would instill little doubt -- and could do as much for him as he could do for the film.
14. Matt Ryan
It wouldn't be fair to compile a list of actors capable of doing justice to John Constantine on the screen without including the man who most recently tackled the job: Matt Ryan. The former star of NBC's Constantine may not carry the kind of fame or name recognition as others on our list, but the fact that he already inhabited the role means he will have a sizable fan base (until a different frontrunner is announced, at least).
For his part, Ryan succeeded in accentuating the attitude of Vertigo's callous spellcaster during Constantine's run -- and for all the show's problems or shortcomings, his performance was rarely cited as a notable one. Now, will Warner Bros. and DC Films set a risky project on the shoulders of a TV actor already tied to a failed adaptation of the film's hero? The smart money would lean toward no, but we doubt Ryan's fans will be swayed in the slightest.
At the very least -- assuming today's news hasn't changed DC's plans in any major way -- Ryan's fans can still look forward to animated adaptation of Justice League Dark.
13. Karl Urban
The idea that Hollywood is divided between Hollywood 'stars,' character actors and 'the rest' is put completely into question by Karl Urban. With fan-favorite roles in franchises like The Lord of the Rings, Bourne, and the new adding Thor: Ragnarok to that list. But ask any fan of those franchises, and they'll tell you that Urban has so far been denied the leading man success he's rightly due.
In the interest of looking for actors who embody more than just the physical appearance of John Constantine's traditional artwork, we're singling Urban out as one actor who wouldn't just sing in the role, but in the eyes of many, would deserve the shot. After all, this is the actor who managed to silence every critic by bringing Judge Dredd to life without ever showing his face -- creating a ionate cult following in the process. If Dark Universe is intended to be an ensemble, lessening the clout required for its lead, then Urban would have our vote without question.
12. James McAvoy
He may owe comic book movies like X-Men: First Class for his rise to prominence in America, but that's only a sliver of the skills that James McAvoy has put on display in his career. It would be a stretch to say that the X-Men film series owes its current status to the fact that McAvoy, with co-star Michael Fassbender, began something of a new age for Marvel's mutants, but the Scottish actor played a major role in revitalizing Fox's biggest superhero series.
If roles as the polite and proper Charles Xavier or the tragic hero of Atonement make McAvoy seem an odd fit for a character as troubled and destructive as John Constantine, McAvoy's turn in Filth (from the same mind behind Trainspotting) should erase any doubts that he can charm as a reprehensible figure of authority. Most importantly, if the fallout from Suicide Squad has the studio thinking of scaling down a project like Dark Universe, McAvoy is a win for any budget.
11. Idris Elba
Look, the fact of the matter is that we're living in an age when Idris Elba is on a level of 'cool/quiet/class' that not many other actors can touch. Now, an actor of Elba's stature (both dramatically and physically) may depend on the larger plans that DC Films may have for the character, and his team as a whole. If it's meant to be a smaller, stranger, more artistically interesting counterpart to the heroes of the DCEU -- as Vertigo was, in its own early days -- that's one thing. But if the plan is to use characters like Enchantress and Shazam to link to the two worlds, it would be wise for Warner Bros. to cast an actor who can hold his own opposite the likes of Ben Affleck and Dwayne Johnson (in all possible ways).
His commitment to the Ragnorak leads to his death. It is the Norse apocalypse, after all. If Elba's Heimdall were to bite the dust, he would certainly be on the shortlist for Constantine.
Now, is this the latest case of us suggesting that Idris Elba would not only be qualified for any role in Hollywood, but make it an overnight hit? Most definitely. But that doesn't make it a bad choice, either.
10. Luke Evans
We've been in Luke Evans' camp for Dracula Untold. In the first case, he played a smart, competent, badass villain that was so damn cool, only a man like Jason Statham could convincingly portray his brother. And in the second, he headlined a film that seemed to tackle rough odds head on, but somehow delivered satisfying action and -- most importantly -- a surprisingly satisfying dramatic arc from Evans (while also being brutally fantastic as the titular 'Dracula').
A role in Peter Jackson's Hobbit trilogy followed soon after, but to put it simply, an actor with the looks, talent, onscreen presence and offscreen charm is the kind of person comic book filmmakers are permanently hunting. If the top priority for Dark Universe is to capture the 'cool' side of Constantine, then Luke Evans is the personality they need. And since a marquee role for Evans seems to be inevitable, a chance to showcase more than his heroic attributes would be welcome, as well.
9. Keanu Reeves
You knew he would have to show up eventually, but for all the flack taken by Warner Bros. and the actor directly when the film was being made, Keanu Reeves' role in Constantine (2005) has only appreciated with age. Sure, the die-hard (or European) fans of John Constantine may still despise the idea that the Vertigo icon would be transplanted to Los Angeles and given an 'American' voice (or a Canadian one, technically). But as the comic book movie genre turned out some even more questionable projects, and director Francis Lawrence went on to The Hunger Games series, Constantine has only gotten better looking in the rear view mirror.
Is it possible that Warner Bros. and Liman would want to reach into the past, foregoing a clean start by casting Reeves in the role? That's a bit of a toss up. We already suggested that placing Reeves at the center of another supernatural comic blockbuster could work, so the same logic holds true here. But if the UK heritage of the character is a priority, or Liman simply seeks a different direction, then Reeves' one appearance in the role will likely remain his last.
8. Ewan McGregor
When the first rumors of Justice League Dark casting arose, the report suggested that Warner Bros. had already approached actor Ewan McGregor for an unknown role. It's still not known if that part was the starring role of Constantine or a ing one like Jason Blood/Etrigan the Demon (we'll avoid explaining that one, since it's an article of its own). That means that no matter how much fans may agree or disagree on McGregor's fit for the part, the studio obviously has him on their radar already.
The question then becomes whether the same actor locked in the minds of a generation as Obi-wan Kenobi, one of the stars of the massive, if maligned, Star Wars prequel trilogy, is the right choice for the film (and possible franchise). It's a question fans will need to debate, since McGregor's name can also be found on plenty of fan casting lists -- and his skills are beyond question.
7. Dan Stevens
After making his name as the everyday Englishmen suddenly skyrocketed to its upper class in Downton Abbey, actor Dan Stevens showed a much darker side in The Guest. It was needed, too, since his role as an English gentleman combined with his part in Disney's live-action Beauty and the Beast could have cemented him as the kind of actor immediately out-of-the-running for a part as surly and sardonic as John Constantine.
Some might not be convinced by a single performance or shift, but for us, The Guest succeeded in selling Stevens as an unpredictable, simmering figure who isn't to be messed with, either mentally or physically. How much a turn as Disney's most well-known beastly prince may change his status or star power could be the difference maker for whatever his next role may be, but as a dark horse pick, Stevens is a strong (and intriguing) one.
6. Guy Pearce
Adding another name to our list of not-quite-blockbuster-leading-mean who still have more personality and x-factor than some of Hollywood's biggest stars, Guy Pearce seems like an actor bound for another kick at the comic book can. While his villainous role in Iron Man 3 was divisive among fans, that wasn't actually tied to his performance. In fact, when tasked with being the kind of suave, physically terrifying villain you love to hate, Pearce shined brighter than plenty of Marvel's antagonists. And if you ask us, a likable villain with equal parts charming and sleazy charisma is closer to the Constantine mark than some may realize.
The question is mainly whether Pearce would want to tackle a role surrounded by supernatural characters and CG spectacle, or whether his schedule could actually handle the workload. He'd be an exciting pick that would speak to the film's personality, if nothing else.