10 Worst Times Famous Comic Book Characters Were Radically Changed For Movies
4. John Constantine (Constantine)
Keanu Reeves can be a very enjoyable actor in the right role. In this case however, John Constantine was not the right part for him. To make things worse, this miscasting had a ripple effect for the character's entire demeanour and appearance.
Just looking at him, Reeves in no way resembles the comic book character from the iconic Hellblazer series. He’s meant to be modelled after rockstar Sting and not only is Reeves not blonde, he’s not even British!
The failings of these changes go beyond just the superficial. The characterization of Constantine is just all wrong. He’s meant to be somewhat unlikable, too cocky for his own good but charming enough to keep you coming back to him. Instead, the cinematic version is just confident, quiet, and bland. There’s no real trace of his distinctive personality.
John Constantine is a character who, if adapted faithfully, could have provided a new spin on the heroic archetype. But instead of constructing a unique character like he is in the comics, the film made him like any other generic hero.