In 1994, Keanu Reeves achieved action-hero stardom with the release of Speed. The film, in which Reeves portrayed Officer Jack Traven, became a blockbuster hit, earning $350 million on a modest budget. The success naturally prompted talks of a sequel, with 20th Century Fox eager to capitalize on the chemistry between Reeves and his co-star Sandra Bullock.
Despite the studio’s enthusiasm for a sequel, Keanu Reeves hesitated. In an interview with Willie Geist on his Sunday Sitdown podcast, Reeves shared his reservations about reprising his role in Speed 2.
Why Keanu Reeves Turned Down Speed 2?
Keanu Reeves has had a long and successful career, but there are a few movies that he’s missed out on that could have been major hits. One of those movies is Speed 2: Cruise Control, which was released in 1997.
While chatting with Willie Geist on his Sunday Sitdown podcast in August 2020, Reeves revealed that he turned down the sequel because he didn’t like the script.
“It was a tough decision,” the actor told Geist, adding, “I really had an amazing time filming and making Speed. It did pretty well, so there was a ‘let’s do it again’”.
The actor, immersed in a physically demanding role for another film, Chain Reaction, found the script for the sequel unappealing and couldn’t see himself fitting into the narrative. He said:
“Then I was doing a film at the time called Chain Reaction, and I was in Chicago, and I read the script. That film was pretty physical. It was a lot of running and cold. So they showed me the script, and I just didn’t see it. I didn’t get it. So I couldn’t do it”.
Appearing on The Graham Norton Show, Keanu Reeves shed light on his decision, stating that, at the time, the script didn’t resonate with him. He expressed his love for working with Sandra Bullock and his attachment to the character of Jack Traven. Per CNN, he said,
“At the time I didn’t respond to the script. I really wanted to work with Sandra Bullock, I loved playing Jack Traven, and I loved Speed, but an ocean liner? I had nothing against the artists involved, but at that time I had the feeling it just wasn’t right.”
Critics panned the movie, giving it a meager 4% on Rotten Tomatoes, while IMDb rated it a dismal 3.9 out of 10. Despite a considerable production budget of $110 million, the film struggled at the box office, grossing only $164 million.
Keanu Reeves’ decision to pass on Speed 2 may have initially raised concerns about his career trajectory. However, in hindsight, it appears to be a wise move that spared him from a critical and commercial disappointment.
Keanu Reeves Had a Crush on Sandra Bullock
In a delightful revelation, Hollywood star Keanu Reeves confessed to having a crush on Sandra Bullock during their time working together on the iconic action film Speed in 1994. The candid admission came during Reeves’ appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where he responded to a clip of Bullock discussing her admiration for him in a 2018 interview.
“She obviously didn’t know that I had a crush on her, either,” Reeves confessed, explaining that he kept his feelings professional while filming. DeGeneres, surprised by the mutual attraction, asked why they never pursued a relationship.
“We were working!” Reeves exclaimed, emphasizing the importance of professionalism on set. Despite never dating, the actors remain close friends and reunited for The Lake House in 2006. “It was nice to go to work,” Reeves reminisced. “She’s a wonderful person.“
While the ‘what if‘ scenario of a romantic connection between the two may remain a tantalizing thought for fans, their chemistry on Speed was amazing.
Watch Speed 2 on Disney Plus.
