Is A ‘Constantine’ Revival Coming? Why Matt Ryan Is Returning To His Role

“Constantine” was canceled by NBC after 13 episodes, but The CW is giving the character another chance at life. It isn’t exactly the revival that fans may have been hoping for, though. The brooding hero is getting animated.

The CW Seed has greenlit a five or six episode season of an animated version of “Constantine,” according to The Hollywood Reporter. Each episode will be about 10 minutes long and will be released on the streaming platform during the 2017-18 season. An exact premiere date has not been revealed yet.

Though the format is very different from the short-lived NBC series, the star is the same. Matt Ryan will serve as the voice of Constantine.

The trench coat-wearing demon hunter appeared on “Arrow” in 2015, and it seems the CW was impressed with the positive reaction. The cartoon will be set in the “Arrow”-verse, much like “Vixen.” It’s worth noting that Vixen started out animated and eventually appeared on “Arrow.” The animated series seems to keep the door open for Ryan to return in the live action series as well.

“Constantine” is based on the “Hellblazer” comic books from Vertico Comics, an imprint of DC Comics. The series follows John Constantine, an occult detective. He uses his knowledge of the dark arts to fight forces of evil.

This isn’t the first time Ryan will be stepping into a recording booth to play the character. He also voiced Constantine in the upcoming “Justice League Dark,” an animated DC movie. It’ll hit digital platforms on Jan. 24 and Blu-ray/DVD on Feb. 7.

Outside of the comic book world, Ryan has been keeping busy with a British series called Halcyon. The drama is set in a glamorous hotel during World War II. It premiered on the UK’s ITV channel earlier this month.