Constantine Pilot Begins Shooting Next Week, Will Be Closer To The Comics Than The Film

Writer and producer David S. Goyer has said, in an interview with I Am Rogue, that the pilot for NBC's new Constantine series will begin filming next week. Goyer also pointed out how the series is shaping up to be much closer to its comic book source material than the 2005 Constantine film. "We start shooting next week," Goyer said. "Shooting the pilot. We only have four series regulars but we've cast them all now. I'm proud to say that Constantine is actually being played by a British guy. Matt Ryan and he is going to have blond hair." Goyer is comparing Matt Ryan to Keanu Reeves, the dark-haired Canadian who played John Constantine in the film. Goyer was also asked if we'd see Constantine smoking in the series. "That's a tricky one on network TV," said Goyer. "We're negotiating right now. He will have his signature trench coat and skinny tie. I would say that the show clings more closely to the source material then the film did. Even though the film was interesting." When asked if the character would be closer to what Alan Moore originally created, Goyer said yes, and implied that other characters from the DC Universe may be making appearances as well. "Yeah," Goyer replied. "And quite a few other characters from the comic books and possibly from the DC universe should we move forward will be showing up…I think we would try to bring in some of the other occult figures." Constantine is the upcoming television adaptation of John Constantine, the DC Comics character originally created by writer Alan Moore and artists Steve Bissette, and John Totleben in the pages of Saga of the Swamp Thing. The series will see Constantine, the working-class occult detective, drawn into the battle between good and evil when demons begin to target the daughter of a friend. As mentioned, the pilot for Constantine will begin filming next week. It's expected to air on NBC in the Fall.