“A bit of a John Wick, all disguised”: Dwayne Johnson Went After Keanu Reeves For a Major Role in $760M Film Only To Leave Disappointed

Without a doubt, actor Keanu Reeves’ presence in any movie really uplifts the whole vibe. His down-to-earth personality combined with his remarkable acting skills make his performances a treat to watch. It was once revealed that actor Dwayne Johnson tried to get Reeves in his 2019 movie Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw.

Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham in Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw

The film was the first spin-off film in the Fast & Furious franchise, showcasing the chemistry between Johnson and his co-star Jason Statham. Since the pressure was quite high, it makes sense why Johnson wanted Reeves in the film. Unfortunately, the cameo didn’t happen but thankfully, the film was a massive success.

Dwayne Johnson wanted Keanu Reeves to star in Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw

Keanu Reeves

In a 2019 interview with ScreenRant, actor Dwayne Johnson confirmed that he wanted fellow actor Keanu Reeves to star in Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw. Johnson explained Reeves’ role,

“So, for some time, I think you guys have heard the rumor that it was going to be a bit of a John Wick, all disguised. But then we left it there [with] a few people in mind. Originally, Keanu was the goal. We were talking, and it just didn’t feel right creatively… He and I talked, and I totally got it. And it wound up being the best thing, so now we leave that open for the future.”

Reeves was shortlisted for the role of the Director of Eteon, the techno-terrorist organization. In the movie, fans never got to see the identity of the character, only the heavily processed voice.

Who voiced the Director of Eteon in the movie?

Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds

The person behind the voice was actor Ryan Reynolds, who had a double role in the film. He also made a cameo as Victor Locke in the film. The actor had bigger plans for his part in the film, such as a crossover between the Fast & Furious universe and the Deadpool universe. Reynolds pitched in the idea of appearing in the film as Deadpool, but obviously, that didn’t work.

Even without Keanu Reeves, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw was a massive hit, bringing in roughly $760 million on a production budget of $200 million. Apart from financial success, the film was praised for its action, and the remarkable chemistry between Johnson and Statham, however, it felt underwhelming to some critics when compared to other movies in the Fast & Furious franchise.