Be it romantic roles or brooding anti-heroes, Keanu Reeves always knows how to give a performance that captivates his audience. He has become one of the most beloved figures in Hollywood and made a name for himself through his talent as an actor, as well as the types of projects he picks. Choosing some of the best directors for the types of films he starts in, it is safe to say that he has excellent judgment.
It would seem, however, that this judgment has come to him after years of trial and error. While he has been picking just the right films for him in recent years, he did not have the same luck when he was starting out.
In 1986, Reeves was offered an opportunity to star in the critically acclaimed film, Platoon. Interestingly enough, the actor ended up turning down the role for a very ironic reason.
Keanu Reeves Let a Big Opportunity Pass Him By
Platoon is one of the most critically acclaimed and respected films that Charlie Sheen has ever been a part of. Being directed by William Oliver Stone and starring a list of actors like Willem Dafoe, Johnny Depp, and Tom Berenger, it is safe to say that most left a lasting impact on its audience. While there is nothing fans would change about it, many would be surprised to know that Sheen’s character could have looked a lot different.
During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Stone revealed that for the role of Chris Taylor, the production looked for many potential actors. Among these many names was also Keanu Reeves. It would seem that the director had offered the role to the actor, but he ended up turning the opportunity down.
Keanu turned it down because of the violence. He didn’t want to do violence.
The reasoning behind his decision was all the more interesting. Stone revealed that Reeves did not want to star in the film because it was too violent for his taste, with it being a war film. Many of Reeves’s fans would be surprised to know this, considering how he has now gained a reputation for being an action actor.
Keanu Reeves Learned A Lesson
After passing the role of Chris Taylor in Platoon, it would seem that Keanu Reeves was forced to learn some very harsh lessons. The 1986 film ended up being one of the most critically acclaimed and successful films of the decade, being nominated for eight Academy Awards in several major categories and winning four of the same.
It is safe to say that Reeves seriously fumbled the bag when he decided to let the film go. Having just started out as an actor, the film could have completely changed the course of his career, bringing him a completely different kind of attention had he started in an Oscar-winning film.
Oddly enough, the fact that he decided to let the project go because of its violence is quite ironic, considering how he is now known for his role in the graphic series, John Wick. Having starred in several violent films over the years, it is safe to say that Reeves learned a lesson after letting this opportunity pass him.
Platoon is available for streaming on Prime Video.
