DC Has the Perfect Actor to Play This Underrated Supernatural Hero (& His Newest Movie Is an Unofficial Audition)

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As fans are seeing the start of James Gunn’s DCU, it’s a portrait of diversity. Superman will bring about cosmic wonder, aliens and metahumans fighting on Earth. While Creature Commandos Season 1 has already explored monsters fighting for Amanda Waller’s Task Force M.

The latter also introduced the DCU’s Circe, confirming magic is in play. To that point, there is one actor who would be perfect for DC’s most underrated supernatural hero: John Constantine. This is none other than Gerard Butler, as he has already showed his acting range for this job thanks to his role as Nick in Den of Thieves 2: Pantera.

Den of Thieves 2 Showcases Aan Arrogant Hero

Den of Thieves’ Nick Has A Cynical Constantine Energy

Gerard Butler has been known for being arrogant in some films, such as The Ugly Truth. But outside of the comedy genre, when it comes to being a hero, he’s quite stoic. It’s been seen in movies such as Olympus Has Fallen and it sequels, as well as Zack Snyder’s 300. The same applied in the first Den of Thieves movie as he chased criminals.

In the Den of Thieves sequel, Butler’s Nick (a former LAPD officer) works with his nemesis, Donnie (played by O’Shea Jackson Jr.). Nick wants to be a robber, so he brings out a new personality. He has drunken rants, fights at parties, and profane moments where he lets everyone know he is the alpha. Even Donnie is taken aback at how Nick gloats over the heist crew as they plan to rob diamonds in Europe.

Nick is worth his weight in gold, and he can’t tolerate incompetence. It’s why he’s snarky and has no problem insulting people he thinks are incapable of the mission. He isn’t all business, however, as seen with him seducing their handler, Jovanna. Nick wants to have fun along the way, working pleasure into what he thinks is justice: striking back at the elites. Through his Den of Thieves role, Butler has shown he has Constantine energy.

If the DCU uses him, DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran would have no issue with the English accent needed. Butler is Scottish and has done English accents before. He would also come off as an older, more rugged spin on what Matt Ryan did as Constantine in the Arrowverse. That is, a disillusioned hero who often broke rules and sometimes, selfishly, acted on emotions to find his destiny.

Gerard Butler Has Star Power to Be Constantine

Gerard Butler’s Constantine Can Be a Hero Ushering In New Mages

Gerard Butler has star power, even outside R-rated movies. He was also in the How to Train Your Dragon franchise, and will be reprising his role as Stoick the Vast. He would bring a lot of eyes to Constantine, especially if Gunn wants to revamp Justice League Dark. This live-action adaptation got stuck in development hell, but it was a popular comic that had heroes fighting mystical villains. It was later turned into an animated movie that got a solid reception.

Butler as Constantine can do what he usually does: help build tentpoles. It’s why Christian Gudegast’s Den of Thieves 2 topped the box office in January 2025. Butler has a strong clout and is equally talented. He looks good for 55, and can bring a haggard, rough Constantine to life at a time when Gunn doesn’t mind veteran actors. The Brave and the Bold’s Batman will be older and a father to Damian Wayne, while the 53-year-old Nathan Fillion is Guy Gardner.

Constantine Comic Details

Grizzled heroes are clearly in under Gunn’s regime, all to help usher in the next generation. Imagine a Boomer version of Constantine training a new version of Johanna Constantine, Zatanna, a younger Doctor Fate, or sharing the perils of a long life across many dimensions with Swamp Thing. There are nuances an older, sage hero brings into these arcs, especially someone who has fought demons, visited Hell and witnessed scarring, apocalyptic scenarios.

That kind of trauma will paint a cynical and conflicted hero, which is what Constantine usually is in any DC adaptation. Den of Thieves’ Nick is just that: a broken man flirting with his moral and ethical precipice. Ultimately, Butler as Constantine can just appear in guest roles as well if the DCU wants to temper him. Either way, it would leave fans eager for more of one of Hollywood’s most popular, dynamic and charismatic actors.

Den of Thieves 2: Pantera is now in theaters.

“}]] Gerard Butler’s Nick in Den of Thieves 2: Pantera shows the actor’s gravitas in the action genre, but may also be a perfect fit for popular DCU hero.  Read More