With San Diego Comic-Con kicking off in less than one week from the time of this writing, it’s a certainty that the internet is about to be flooded with news pertaining to the Arrowverse. But when it comes to Legends of Tomorrow specifically, don’t expect too much because that show isn’t returning until around the midseason mark.
On the plus side, we have something very positive to share today, as TV Line has been able to confirm that Matt Ryan will return as John Constantine for the DC series’ fifth season. And yes, he’ll remain on as a series regular.
To provide a bit of history, Ryan originally portrayed the exorcist in a series of his own, Constantine, before NBC cancelled it after only 13 episodes. But to the delight of pretty much everybody, he got scooped up by The CW in short order, and appeared in Arrow‘s fourth season. From there, he made his way over to Legends of Tomorrow, along with lending his voice to the character in two animated projects, those being Justice League Dark and Constantine: City of Demons.
Though this news shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, it is quite reassuring. Those who tuned in for season 4 of Legends remember how that show miraculously revisited the story left hanging by the NBC series, as we learned that Astra, the little girl doomed to Hell, actually grew up and thrived while there. And for all intents and purposes, it appears she’ll be season 5’s big bad.
That said, a development of this magnitude specific to Constantine’s own storyline will require the involvement of the man himself. Still, he’ll need the assistance of the Waverider crew because she’s apparently resurrecting some of history’s vilest men.
Right now, no concrete date has been given for Legends of Tomorrow‘s return, but January may be a solid bet because of the show’s inclusion in the “Crisis on Infinite Earths” crossover event.