Keanu Reeves has now become synonymous with the title ‘action star’, but during the early times of his career, he was not the top choice of directors when it comes to the said genre. In fact, he was insulted by studio executives when he was suggested to lead an action film.
Today, Reeves is known for his works on The Matrix and John Wick franchises, both globally revered massive blockbusters that carved the actor’s legacy as one of the finest action heroes of this generation, and it’s all thanks to director Kathryn Bigelow.
Kathryn Bigelow Fought For Keanu Reeves To Star In Point Break
During his conversation with Scott Adkins, actor Keanu Reeves talked about how bizarre it was to have been chosen to star in 1991’s Point Break. He recalled how the higher-ups did not believe in his potential, and Kathryn Bigelow had to fight for him.
“You think Ted ‘Theodore’ Logan from Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure in an action movie? Yeah, that would work. It’s not something that’s like, ‘Oh yeah, let’s have Keanu Reeves in an action movie’. She [Bigelow] fought for me, and it changed my life.”
In an interview with Premiere via Slash Film, director James Cameron also revealed how Fox bosses disrespected Reeves when he was tapped to star in the action film. The Canadian filmmaker, then-husband of Bigelow, helped rewrite the script.
“[Bigelow] went to the mat for Keanu Reeves. We had this meeting where the Fox executives were going, ‘Keanu Reeves in an action film? Based on what? Bill & Ted?’ They were being so insulting. But she insisted he could be an action star.”
Cameron admitted he initially did not believe Reeves would make a good action star, but he stood by his then-wife’s decision. He said Bigelow trained Reeves how to project himself as a strong lead actor and encouraged him to hit the gym.
Interestingly, the producers wanted the likes of Johnny Depp and Val Kilmer for the role of Johnny Utah. Even Patrick Swayze, who played Bodhi, was considered for the part. Indeed, Reeves was the most surprising aspect of the whole casting process.
Keanu Reeves Reminisced Point Break
Speaking with Complex, Keanu Reeves had nothing but praise for Kathryn Bigelow for doing a great job on Point Break. The movie earned over $83 million against a budget of $24 million. In 2015, a critically panned reboot was released.
“Kathryn Bigelow is just amazing; she did such an amazing job with that film. It’s been amazing just to be a part of that project in the way that it changed people’s lives. Like, jumping out of airplanes, and going surfing, and taking risks in their lives. That was the first action film I ever did. Oh, Johnny Utah. What a ridiculous, beautiful name.”
The Constantine star is the perfect example of an actor with lots of hidden potential, and once a powerful energy taps into it and unlocks the magic inside, it will shine brighter just exactly like Reeves’ Hollywood career.
Point Break is available to stream via Netflix.
