The New Constantine Looks Like… Constantine

NBC, DC Entertainment, and Warner Bros. Television have released the first official image of Matt Ryan as John Constantine.

Sporting the classic blond hair, trench coat, and thin tie, this Constantine looks every bit the character from the comic books. The only thing missing is the cigarette. But the inclusion of smoke in the picture at least puts this Constantine in the right tone and should encourage fans who have been very nervous about a television version of the comic book.

And even though he mispronounced the name in a recent on-camera interview, writer-producer David S. Goyer says, “I’ve been a fan of John Constantine since he was first introduced in 1985. This Constantine, envisioned by Neil Marshall and embodied by Matt Ryan, looks like he sprang directly from the comics’ covers. Fans old and new are going to be in for a treat.”

Constantine first appeared in Swamp Thing in 1986, and has been one of the only (if not the only) comic book character to age in real time since his introduction. His current New 52 incarnation is younger, and has been included in the pages of Justice League Dark as part of the team oriented toward magic and supernatural skills.

This follows the photograph that was posted on DC Entertainment’s Instagram account, in which members of the cast and crew (including an in-costume Ryan) are holding clapboard slates as part of the #SlatesForSarah campaign.

Constantine is one of several DC Comics properties getting the TV treatment this year, along with Gotham and The Flash.