Constantine star Matt Ryan loved playing off of Batman in Justice League Dark, but his ultimate goal is to pair his character with The Joker. The CW’s Arrowverse has grown considerably since Arrow launched six years ago, but some corners of the DC Universe still seem to be off limits. While Gotham is able to adapt Bruce Wayne and scores of his rogues, The CW has been a bit more limited - often by the movies themselves. But animation offers more opportunities.
Both Vixen and Freedom Fighters: The Ray have seen the Arrowverse grow in new ways thanks to CW Seed’s focus on DC animated shows. And with a Constantine animated series coming in March, Ryan will get even more chances to play what’s become his most iconic role. Though NBC couldn’t get the live-action series off the ground, Constantine’s absorption by the Arrowverse has allowed the sorcerer to appear on Arrow and multiple episodes of Legends of Tomorrow. But could he someday face the Clown Prince of Crime?
ScreenGeek spoke with Ryan at Wizard World Cleveland and asked the actor who he’d like to see Constantine meet in one of his many adventures. And though there’s no indication his answer will ever become a reality, it’s certainly exciting to imagine.
As Ryan notes, Constantine and Batman’s interactions in the animated movie Justice League Dark were incredibly entertaining. With both movies and an animated series as options, it does seem like Constantine and Joker meeting wouldn’t be impossible. Either that, or Gotham’s Joker could interact with Constantine if that show ever has an Arrowverse crossover. As for how the two eccentric characters would react to one another, Ryan thinks audiences might be surprised.
“I always wondered how Constantine would be with the Joker. Most of the time when I think of John in a situation with the other heroes, I can kind picture what would happen. With the Joker, I don’t know. I love the way they wrote his interaction with Batman [in Justice League Dark]. There’s not a lot there in terms of dialogue, it’s just the one liners like calling him ‘Batsy’ and whatnot. Those little things. In a way, they’re kind of very similar, John and Batman/Bruce Wayne. I really like that dynamic, and what was [also] great about Justice League Dark was being able to play some of those relationships with characters that we didn’t get to on the show – even though it’s just a voice thing. It was really great to explore those dynamics. I’ve just got the Joker in my head now, though.”
We’ll leave the speculating to fans, but it’s hard not to get a kick out of the idea of the Joker admiring Constantine’s unique approach. The character has been a lot of fun on the Waverider, which is why there’s no surprise Constantine will return to Legends of Tomorrow for the finale. In fact, many fans are hoping he’ll be a permanent addition to the team next season.
“What would the first scene be if those guys get together? I think the Joker would like John Constantine. He’s a dark soul, and they could almost be friends but John’s soul kind of wouldn’t let it happen.”
As for the future of The Joker, he seems to be popping up everywhere these days. DC may have three live-action Jokers in 2019 thanks to movies and TV, and an animated appearance seems likely on the Harley Quinn series being developed by DC. Given that, it doesn’t seem like a stretch to imagine The Joker running into Constantine before long.
MORE: WBTV Bringing Krypton, Constantine & More to WonderCon 2018
Constantine debuts March 24 on CW Seed.
Source: ScreenGeek