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John Constantine is one of DC Comics most enduring and popular characters. The cynical, chain smoking, streetwise magician and occult detective was created by Alan Moore back in 1985 for one of DC’s longest running and most successful title, Hellblazer.
A big screen adaptation of the comic was released in 2005, but the movie was about as faithful to Moore’s original as a premier league footballer is to a spouse.
But, NBC have announced they intend to bring the story to the small screen, ordering a pilot which is set to be written by Man of Steel … David S. Goyer.
Talking about the series, NBC Chairman Robert Greenblatt recently said: ““I don’t know the DC comic very well, but there is dark, interesting stuff in it, but it’s also got some witty banter. It’s a fun tone, although the supernatural stuff is scary.”
Greenblatt wasn’t sure if the show would be capable of cross network collaboration, but will not rule it out.
He said: “Cross-network is really hard. It’s hard enough to do it within your network. I think let us see how the pilot goes before we answer that question!”
The Hellblazer series does seem to lend itself well to a television adaptation and could have potentially influenced a number of TV series over the years, but of course it will all depend on how well it’s handled. If they can keep Keanu Reeves away from this one, maybe it might stand a chance.