DJIMON HOUNSOU STARS IN CONSTANTINE
Copyright 2004 www.tombraiderchronicles.com

[ February 20th 2004 ]

West African born actor Djimon Hounsou has spoken of his role opposite Matrix star Keanu Reeves in the upcoming motion picture adaptation Constantine which assaults the Silver Screen in September 2004. Based on the DC/Vertigo comic book Hellblazer and written by Kevin Brodbin, Mark Bomback and Frank Capello, Constantine tells the story of irreverent supernatural detective John Constantine (Keanu Reeves), who has literally been to hell and back. Tomb Raider star Djimon Hounsou takes on the role as Papa Midnite, a witch doctor tapped into the psyche of Reeves' detective.

"He definitely is human and with a great sensibility to the spiritual world," Djimon Hounsou told SciFi Wire during a recent interview. "Midnite ... definitely [has] much more of a business approach to Constantine, his long-time friend and long-time partner," Hounsou added. "He's completely distanced himself from that world and become completely neutral in society, where everything is really about business for him, and he takes no sides in the fight against evil. And he's just there to accommodate the good and the bad."

Speaking of working with Beirut born Keanu Reeves, one of Hollywood's hottest properties, Hounsou said: "He's done so much, and this time on this picture, working with him firsthand, it's quite a nice surprise. I realize how actually he's a very talented man, and ... he's so anal about the work. The guy has received some criticism, good and bad, but working with him, you have a great affinity for the kind of generosity that he has with the work and with people that [are a] part of this picture. He definitely is a very simple man and somewhat maybe misunderstood, because he's just very reclusive, very private."