Constantine General Discussion Thread

[Mad Love]

It's an old one written when smoking was considered edgy and cool.

 

[Mad Love]

Its his thing. He's going to hell. Smoke em if ya got em kinda thing.

He's trying not to go to hell.

 

[JC00]

NBC supposedly frowned on him smoking. Yet they just renewed a series for a 16th season that had an episode where a 12 year old boy raped and murdered a cancer patient.

 

[Sawyer]

It's not just an NBC thing.

 

[Lord Valumart]

Is smoking really that much of a big deal? Surely it's less of a problem than rape and murder...

 

[Sawyer]

It is, but it's easier to show the audiences that those things are bad on television. With smoking, it's like...

Non-smoker: "What are you doing? Don't you know what smoking can do to you? Lung cancer, emphysema--"
Smoker: "But will it cause any of those things before the end of this episode?"
Non-smoker:
Smoker:

 

[Mad Love]

Network TV doesn't want to advertise smoking. So that's why they'd have a problem if the main character is a chain smoker.

I think it would be fine if they make it clear that it's a filthy habit. They could even make in a plot point like in the comics where he gets lung cancer.

 

[Jason Kane]

Network TV doesn't want to advertise smoking. So that's why they'd have a problem if the main character is a chain smoker.

I think it would be fine if they make it clear that it's a filthy habit. They could even make in a plot point like in the comics where he gets lung cancer.

If advertisers wanted a non-smoking lead, NBC should've relaunch The Dresden Files

 

[Sawyer]

Yes, of course, you're right. Because ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL there is to John Constantine is his smoking habit.

JFC...

 

[Fallen Angel]

John Constantine will light his cig with the fires of hell.

 

[HighFivingMF]

I wouldn't worry too much. I'm betting The Flash gets the post-Arrow slot on Wednesday and Constantine is put in the genre line-up with Grimm on Friday. Don't know about Gotham. Maybe Mondays.

I want Flash paired with Arrow, Gotham paired with The Following and Constantine paired with Hannibal. But that's just me.

 

[antonydelfini]

I don't understand why it's so important for him to smoke.

It's important because it's iconic and one of his defining characteristics is that he's a chain smoker. Also, one of his most iconic stories: lung cancer caused by smoking. For me, it's even more important than his trench coat.

 

[Sawyer]

He smokes off-screen. There. Mystery solved.

 

[antonydelfini]

Network TV doesn't want to advertise smoking. So that's why they'd have a problem if the main character is a chain smoker.

I think it would be fine if they make it clear that it's a filthy habit. They could even make in a plot point like in the comics where he gets lung cancer.

Agreed. It is a filthy habit. John's a filthy man with a filthy habit. BTW, Im in my mid 20's and have never smoked a single cig my whole life. But John has a filthy habit, 95% of his comic book covers has his image smoking, it's iconic, he's self-destructive, he's a bastard, so HE SHOULD SMOKE.

 

[Fallen Angel]

He smokes off-screen. There. Mystery solved.

I think if they are adamant about John not smoking on screen then maybe they should do this and hint at him smoking like leaving cigarette boxes lying around.

 

[Rodrigo90]

E-ciggies

 

[Frico]

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2014/05/08/can-you-crack-the-code-heres-a-rune-from-tvs-constantine/

Our friends at Film Divider have tweeted some mysterious symbols that purport to be from the new Constantine TV show. Is it a clue? To a plotline or a character or something else entirely? Is it just jibberish?

I haven’t the slightest clue what this all means. Perhaps fans of the comics or BC’s resident archeological experts can shine some light?

 

[chamber-music]

I don't understand why it's so important for him to smoke.

Its important because it is a character trait that tells you about what kind of character he is. It isn't about looking cool.

John Constantine is a hellraiser. He is self destructive. John smokes and drinking too much. He makes a living by conning people and blackmailing people.

John Constantine is the archetype byronic hero.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byronic_hero

John Constantine's solo comic which spun out of Swamp Thing was originally going to be called Hellraiser but the movie beat them to the punch with the name so they went with Hellblazer instead.

John Constantine done right shouldn't really be a kids show anyway and most adults are intelligent enough to make up their own minds about if they choose to smoke or not.

 

[Sgt.Pepper]

Hopefully they'll get this right, but I'm kinda doubtful. Still, it's Constantine so I'm curious.

 

[Fallen Angel]

If they are going by the Hellblazer comics I wonder if they will bring in Epiphany (John's future wife) or if Zatanna will be the love interest? .

 

[Jason Kane]

If they are going by the Hellblazer comics I wonder if they will bring in Epiphany (John's future wife) or if Zatanna will be the love interest? .

Zee, I hope. not so much for Epiphany since Milljgan's run sucked

 

[Llama_Shepherd]

I think if they are adamant about John not smoking on screen then maybe they should do this and hint at him smoking like leaving cigarette boxes lying around.

He can be putting them out at the start of a couple scenes too. And maybe putting a cigarette in his mouth, but almost never having a light.

 

[chamber-music]

I wasn't a fan of Epiphany and Milligan's run either.

Emma, Kit, Angie, Dani and Zed are all one time girlfriends of John's who could make an appearance in the show.

I think Goyer said Liv is supposed to be a composite of a couple of John's girlfriends from the comics.

Constantine sums himself up pretty well

"I'm the one who steps from the shadows, all trenchcoat and cigarette and arrogance, ready to deal with the madness. Oh, I've got it all sewn up. I can save you. If it takes the last drop of your blood, I'll drive the demons away. I'll kick them in the bollocks and spit on them when they're down, and then I'll be gone back into the darkness, leaving only a nod, a wink and a wisecrack. I walk my path alone... who would want to walk with me?"

 

[Rowsdower!]

I really want this to be good but it just doesn't seem like a mainstream network thing. If this was on HBO or AMC, I just feel like it could be so much better. Sadly, I see this turning out like Grimm (not a bad show, but totally lightweight compared to what Constantine could/should be).

 

[chamber-music]

I hope it doesn't end up another generic supernatural procedural show. NBC needs to grow a pair and push the boat out a little with Constantine like they did with Hannibal.