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Keanu Reeves established himself as an action hero in Hollywood, with lucrative roles that would make any other actors jealous. Reeves’ first step in this direction was the 1991 film,Point Break. The lead role in Kathryn Bigelow’s film was offered to different actors, including Johnny Depp, Val Kilmer, and Charlie Sheen. However, Reeves owes a debt of gratitude to Bigelow, who fought with the producers to cast him in the role.
In the film, theJohn Wickactor plays an FBI agent who goes undercover as a surfer to identify a gang of bank robbers. Reeves credits the film for providing him with a gateway to more action-oriented roles, leading to projects likeSpeed,The Matrixfilms, and eventually theJohn Wickfranchise.
Also Read:Keanu Reeves’ Top 10 Pick of His Own Movies Has the Most Unexpected Film at the Top – John Wick is His Least Favorite
Keanu Reeves Credited Kathryn Bigelow For Launching Him As An Action Star
Point Breakwas a theatrical hit upon its release, grossing $103.5 million, and has since gained a cult following. The film not only served as a reference for later cop movies but also launchedKeanu Reevesas an action hero. However, Reeves was not a favorite among producers to play the role. TheKnock Knockactor was new to the genre andKathryn Bigelowhad to go to extreme lengths to confirm him as her lead.
During his appearance on the Nerdist Podcast, Keanu Reeves lauded the Oscar-winning director for her belief in him. Reeves was discussing collaborative efforts in films with host Chris Hardwick when he expressed his gratitude to Bigelow for helping him launch his action movie career. Reeves stated,“Thank you again, Kathryn, because that changed my life.”
Reeves further explained howThe Hurt Lockerdirector stood firm against the producers’ skepticism about casting him. When the producers pointed out the47 Roninactor’s inexperience, Bigelow had a short yet firm reply,“He’s the guy.”The Devil’s Advocateactor shared withNerdist Podcast:
“For me, specifically on that, I hadn’t been in an action genre picture. So Kathryn Bigelow, as the story’s told, really had to fight to have me play that role. The studio went, ‘Keanu Reeves? Johnny Utah? Action movie?’ Kathryn went, ‘Yes.’ They were like, ‘What are you thinking?’ ‘He’s the guy.’”
After being cast, Keanu Reeves, along with co-starsPatrick Swayzeand Lori Petty, underwent two months of training for the surfing scenes. Reeves, who found the activity enjoyable, made it a regular hobby.
Also Read:John Wick Fan Theory Finally Explains One Fatal Loophole in the Keanu Reeves Franchise That Originally Started as a Joke
Keanu Reeves Shared That He Was A Bad Actor Without The Right Collaborations
Keanu Reeves was paid $205 million for his role as Neo inThe Matrixsequels. Although he had several declining graphs in his long career, Reeves found his rhythm again with theJohn Wickfranchise. Apart from the fame from films, theConstantineactor is also famous for his off-screen persona, famously known as ‘the internet’s boyfriend’. Despite all these achievements, Reeves considered himself a bad actor if not presented with the right opportunities.
Reeves revealed that it was the collaborations and meetings with filmmakers that shaped his stardom. However, he also addressed the fact that, with his level of experience, certain opportunities present themselves. Reeves shared with Chris Hardwick:
“In terms of the acting capacity, I’m a beggar. I can’t do it by myself. It’s a collaboration, it’s a collaborative art form. And so it’s not quite like I just order it up. I got to develop work or I’ve got to take meetings but I’m also not saying that there aren’t opportunities.”
Also Read:“The mystery was the appeal”: Another John Wick Spin-Off Upsets Fans as Lionsgate Forces Keanu Reeves to Return for 5th Movie
Fans can now enjoy Reeves’ performance as Johnny Utah inPoint Break, now streaming on Peacock.
Hashim Asraff
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3019
Hashim Asraff is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, with over 2,800 articles published on celebrity culture, comic book movies, and major TV franchises. With a background in Sociology and a keen interest in pop culture, Hashim brings a unique lens to breaking news stories, character deep-dives, film rankings, and fan-driven perspectives.His coverage often includes the MCU, DCU, hit network shows, and celebrity profiles, giving readers a rich blend of entertainment and analysis. A longtime fan of crime and investigative series, Hashim has watched thousands of episodes of NCIS, Criminal Minds, Law & Order: SVU, Bones, Blue Bloods, and The RookieA passionate storyteller and wordsmith, Hashim has also worked as a ghostwriter and managed multiple social media handles. He brought his writing expertise to FandomWire to also pursue his lifelong love for cinema and television.
