Over the last 20 years, production studios have been in a frenzy to buy up the rights to every comic book title under the sun. One of the more criminally underrated releases during that time was Constantine.
It's been more than 15 years since the film was released in theaters. Get reacquainted and check out these 10+ Constantine behind the scenes secrets that fans didn't know!
Prior to being handed the reigns on Constantine, Lawrence was most well known for directing music videos.
He said during a Director's Confessional that one of the hardest things to adapt to was the difference in pacing.
I know, it's probably not what you were expecting to hear. In a movie with car chases, explosions, CGI, etc. — how can a simple conversation between two people be that difficult?
According to Francis Lawrence, the scene began with over six pages of dense dialogue, which made it difficult for the actors.
For the scene when Constantine breaks the grenade over his chest, they replaced the bulbs with breakable glass.
The production team used water balloons for the scene where Keanu throws a grenade at Balthazar's head.
John Constantine was created by comic book legend, Alan Moore. He's the DC Universe's favorite supernatural detective!
But aside from a shared namesake and a vaguely familiar backstory, that's where the similarities end.
Tilda and Peter's parts were all saved until the end. Therefore, they weren't on set for the first half of filming.
When they arrived, fresh-faced and excited, it restored everyone's morale!
Keanu recalled filming one scene in particular that gave him trouble.
He was going to be launched backward on a wire and was instructed to go limp — advice which he took way too literally.
Going back and rewatching this scene, knowing what was actually going on, adds an entirely new element of appreciation.
I'll never understand why movie stars choose to do their own stunts?
Gavin plays the demon Balthazar. All in all, it took more than 4 hours in order to apply the facial makeup and prosthetics used in the film.
According to Gavin, the worst part was trying not to itch his face.
One of the things that Lawrence points to as something that differentiates Constantine from the pack is their fabrication of holy relics.
Lawrence didn't want them to look shiny or beautiful and opted instead to make them appear dirty and old.
If you count, John Constantine smokes a total of 13 cigarettes over the course of the film. The number 13 is symbolic in many cultures and religions.
Especially in the Christian faith.
If comic book creator, Alan Moore, had gotten his way — Constantine would have looked very different. Moore wanted aging rocker Sting to play the title role.
Warner Bros., on the other hand, originally offered the part to Nic Cage.
After filming wrapped, he then gave it to director Francis Lawrence as a present. According to the director, the gun is made out of real bronze and weighs close to 35 lbs!
Keanu was asked by IGN if he found the bathtub scene troubling or difficult to film. His response was "It was a challenge for Rachel."
According to Keanu, Rachel had to spend the entire day in the bathtub.
What many people misunderstand is that Jesus Christ didn't die from being crucified — he was stabbed in the side with a soldier's spear.
This relic was said to be imbued with supernatural powers since it contained the actual blood of Christ.
Hitler sought the spear in the hopes that it would make him undefeatable in battle.
After the Allies recaptured the "Spear of Destiny", Hitler committed suicide a mere two hours later.
