Copyright Screen Rant
If James Gunn casts any Arrowverse actor in the DCU, there is only one proper choice. As one of the two main comic producers, DC has always been popular with comic book fans. However, the franchise went through a rough period in which the on-screen films just didn’t live up to expectations. It didn’t help that they were competing with the wildly popular MCU. Luckily, the Arrowverse helped DC remain relevant in the pop culture zeitgeist while they figured out how to win fans back over with the films. After 12 years, the Arrowverse officially came to an end in December 2024. Because of emotional attachments to the shows, fans have begged for James Gunn to cast Arrowverse actors in his new DCU. As much as I love the Arrowverse, I think it’s generally a good idea to keep the DCU cast separate from the TV universe’s cast. Any cross-casting would threaten the shows’ legacies. However, there is one notable exception. James Gunn's DCU Should Cast Arrowverse's Matt Ryan As John Constantine Matt Ryan Appeared As A Guest Star In Arrow Before Joining The Cast Of Legends Of Tomorrow John Constantine will almost certainly appear in the Swamp Thing DCU movie, as the character started in Swamp Thing before getting his own Hellblazer comic. Matt Ryan is to John Constantine what Hugh Jackson is to Wolverine. The connection between the actor and character is so prolific that it wouldn’t feel right to see anyone else play Constantine in the DCU. Matt Ryan Has Already Played Constantine In Four Different DC Universes Constantine Appeared In The Swamp Thing Episode Of The Harley Quinn TV Show If James Gunn cast Matt Ryan as Constantine in the live-action movies, it wouldn’t be the first time the actor moved from one DC continuity to another. Ryan is more than capable of making the transition without any struggle. As of the time of writing, he has appeared in four separate DC universes – the original Constantine TV show, the Arrowverse (which retroactively absorbed the Constantine show), the DC animated movie universe, and the Harley Quinn TV show. It wouldn’t be unreasonable for him to continue the role that will be his legacy for years to come. Why Matt Ryan Is The All-Time Best John Constantine Actor Matt Ryan's Constantine Is The Most Accurate Version Of The Character The main actors who have taken on the role of Constantine are Matt Ryan, Keanu Reeves, Jenna Coleman, and Damian O’Hare. Of the four, Matt Ryan is the all-time best. Besides looking like he was pulled from the pages of Hellblazer, Matt Ryan is the perfect Constantine because he captures the character's surly, amoral persona. Every small mannerism furthers the idea that John Constantine is bitter, beaten down, and annoyed by everyone around him. This is especially true in the Arrowverse, where they show more of the amoral side of the character. Ryan also nails Constantine's dry wit, making him the funniest character in most scenes.
