Comics
[TV] “Constantine” Kicks His Smoking Habit?
One of the biggest changes to modern television is that protagonists are no longer perfect – in fact, most of them carry one major affliction that helps the audience sympathize with them.
This is why DC Comics’ “Hellblazer” lead, Constantine, was ahead of his time. The dude smoked like a chimney, almost to a fault. Ironically, while modern television loves a character who has serial mental issues or past drug addictions, they frown upon characters who smoke – especially on a network. Go figure. While I’m wholly against cigarettes, if it’s a character’s trait to smoke, so be it…
Rogue caught up with story writer and executive producer David S. Goyer who told the studio that the battle with NBC to keep the “Constantine” lead piping is still ongoing:
“That’s a tricky one on network TV. We’re negotiating right now. He will have his signature trench coat and skinny tie. I would say that the show clings more closely to the source material then the film did. Even though the film was interesting.”
“Criminal Minds” alum Matt Ryan stars as John Constantine in the drama based on the “Hellblazer” graphic novels.
“Constantine” centers on master of the occult John Constantine, who struggles with his faith as he is haunted by the sins of his past and is suddenly thrust into the role of defending humanity from the gathering forces of darkness.
The supernatural world of Korean folk horror movie Exhuma grows larger with the arrival of prequel spinoff webtoon Maengjong this weekend, Variety reports today.
Naver Webtoon debuts Maengjong on May 30.
The series hails from Haemuri (Olgami) and will trace the high school origins of how shaman duo Hwarim and Bonggil, played by Kim Go-eun and Lee Do-hyun in the 2024 film, came together to face occultish threats.
The story is set to begin when “Hwarim, who has been concealing her identity following a childhood encounter with a snake spirit called Jin, crosses paths with Bonggil at their school.”
Variety notes that Exhuma director Jang Jae-hyun participated in the project’s early concept stage.
“We are presenting ‘Maengjong,’ a new series capturing the appeal of the horror-occult genre, ahead of the full summer season,” said Lee Jeong-geun, Naver Webtoon’s Korea webtoon content leader. “With the high school story of Hwarim and Bonggil, who left a strong impression in the film ‘Exhuma,’ enhanced by Haemuri’s characteristic tense direction, we expect it will be a welcome work for genre fans.”
“It is meaningful that the spin-off story of ‘Exhuma,’ loved by many audiences, expands by meeting the new grammar of webtoon,” said Lee Hyeon-jeong, managing director of the film business division at Showbox, which distributed the film. “We hope it will be a fresh experience for both film fans and webtoon readers.”
Exhuma was a breakout hit in 2024, becoming the first Korean occult film to surpass 10 million ticket buyers and the country’s highest-grossing film of the year. I wrote in my review that “the intricately woven Exhuma delivers one of the year’s biggest surprises in horror so far.”
The bond between Hwarim and Bonggil was one of the film’s highlights, making this prequel webtoon a must for fans.
You must be logged in to post a comment.