What are you trying to do to us?
And when I say us, I might mean me cuz
hella holla goin’ on! Holy crap!
This morning Matt Ryan posted his regrets about Constantine and announced a new role in a stage production opening in October. Hellblazers are all a twitter (get it? a twitter? yeah, too soon for me too) and the tweets sound like the end for many. We’re happy Matt is working in theater because we know he enjoys it, but his tweets also say his journey as John Constantine is over.
Not very long after receiving these tweets from Matt, Hellblazers heard again from Dave, who often sends us behind-the-scenes (BTS) pix. Many of us consider the Mill House to be more than a set in the show. With its beautiful execution & many elaborate props, visible Easter Eggs, unopened doors and memorable uses & locations, it was like another main character. Seeing it deconstructed is hard. We feel the loss of craftsmanship alone is a crime, but the loss of a favorite character! Argh! We’re so sad, Dave. I’m sorry.
What does this mean, Hellblazers? Does this mean it’s over? Wuuuuttttt? Yesterday I believed that Warner Bros and DC Comics have worked up some stink around Constantine. It still smells bad from here. When one of the cast takes a part in a series I will concede he or she is unavailable to take a role in a revived Constantine. Any of the cast can work in theater or take on film projects and still be available for Constantine if the project is sold to a network. Many theater productions are limited runs, although there is no information available on Therese Raquin at this time.
As hard as it is to see the set taken down, it would have come down when the show was sold to another network because filming would have been moved to another location. If it moves to The CW, for example, filming will most likely go to Vancouver. (WB -- make no mistake, Blackhawk Design created the Mill House, there will be none other like it, just like there will be no other Constantine than Matt Ryan!) This is painful, but it changes nothing.
All of this comes at once because it is mid-June and contracts are expiring. Nothing has changed for us Hellblazers. It only feels impossible right now. It’s no more impossible today than it was mid-May when Daniel told us he had to lay low. From the point that we got radio silence from everyone, that’s when it got hard. If you were willing to fight for Constantine then, and you still want the show, then write your letters to WB. Write email. Make calls. Tweet. RT. Let CW know you want them to pick it up. Let the other networks know. Show DC Comics you believe they prioritize superheroes in tights and fail to promote antiheroes in an age when antiheroes are identifiable and needed.
Come on Boots! Stop asking me if it’s possible. It is. Now get to work! I’m tired of being the only one getting trolled, heh. Take your fair share for a change.