During The CW’s TCA winter tour presentation today, the network announced that the iconic DC Comics character John Constantine will return in a new animated web series on the network’s online platform CW Seed. TheConstantineanimated series will bring backMatt Ryanto voice the title character.Matt Ryanstarred as John Constantine in NBC’s short-livedConstantineTV series, and after that show was canceled, he moved on to reprise his beloved character in an guest-starring spot on anArrowSeason 4 episode.
CW Seed’sTwittermade the announcement, while debuting the first artwork for the show and confirmingMatt Ryanwill be back to voiceJohn Constantine.David S. Goyerwill be writing the series withGreg Berlanti, who executive produces all four of The CW’s superhero shows, serving as executive producer on this show. No premiere date was given, and it isn’t known if there will be any crossovers between this animated show and the DC TV universe, but it’s certainly possible.
While there have been numerous crossovers betweenArrow,The Flash,Legends of TomorrowandSupergirl, there have been other crossovers as well involving CW Seed. The network debuted aVixen animated serieswhich featured a number of CW stars lending their voices to the show.Stephen AmellandGrant Gustinlent their voices to Arrow and The Flash.The FlashstarCarlos Valdesalso lends his voice to Cisco Ramon, who uses his ability to concoct superhero names to dub Mari McCabe as Vixen. The show also features Arrow starsKatie CassidyandEmily Bett Rickardsvoicing Black Canary and Felicity Smoak, withMarc Guggenheimserving as executive producer.
Originally from Africa, Mari McCabe’s (Megalyn Echikunwoke) parents were killed by local greed, corruption, and wanton violence. But the orphaned Mari refuses to succumb to the terrors surrounding her. Inheriting her family’s Tantu Totem, Mari can access the powers of animals - anything from the super-strength of a gorilla to the speed of a cheetah. As Vixen, she fights valiantly to protect the world from threats like those that claimed her family. Aside from lending her voice to the digital series,Megalyn Echikunwokeappeared as Vixen in an episode ofArrow, andMaisie Richardson Sellerscoming aboard onLegends of Tomorrowto play Amaya Jiwe, grandmother toMegalyn Echikunwoke’s Mari Jiwe McCabe.
It isn’t known if any other stars from the NBCConstantineseries will reprise their roles, such asAngélica Celayaas Zed Martin orHarold Perrineauas Manny. It’s possible thatMatt Ryanmay also return asJohn Constantineon a future episode ofArrowto help set up this newDC series. CW Seed has not announced when this animatedConstantineseries will debut, but hopefully we’ll have updates on the production and/or casting in the very near future. Until then, take a look at the new artwork from the newConstantineseries.
