“The bus didn’t even leave the parking lot”: One Major Change to Speed Plot Saved Keanu Reeves’ Speed From Being a Box Office Disaster

Without a doubt, director Jan de Bont’s 1994 movie Speed has left a lasting impact on the action genre. Featuring Sandra Bullock alongside Keanu Reeves, Bullock wasn’t the initial choice for the role as Halle Berry was first approached for the role but the actress declined it. After the release of the film, the actress did regret turning down the part, but Bullock’s performance played a crucial role in making the movie successful.

The script of the film was re-written and many scenes of the film were improvised but in the end, Speed became the seventh-highest-grossing film of 1994 and earned two Academy Awards. Even today, cinephiles label it as one of the best action films in the history of cinema.

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Before Sandra Bullock, Halle Berry was approached for a role in 1994’s Speed

In 2019, actress Halle Berry appeared for an interview with ET and revealed that she was offered the role of Annie Porter in 1994’s Speed alongside Keanu Reeves,

“I don’t know if you know this, but I was offered Speed before Sandra Bullock. I stupidly said no. But in my defense, when I read the script the bus didn’t leave the parking lot. I was like no, no, no, no. Then I see the movie and I’m like, arrrrghh.”

Even Meryl Streep and Kim Basinger were approached but they both declined. The role eventually went to Sandra Bullock who gave an outstanding performance. Reeves and Bullock’s on-screen chemistry particularly was a treat to watch for the fans and the film became a blockbuster hit, earning roughly $350 million at the global box office against a budget of $30-37 million.

Also read: “To be the object of everyone’s desire is such a coup”: Halle Berry Considers One Forgotten Movie Her Most Important Work That Was Offered to Sharon Stone and Nicole Kidman 

Halle Berry worked with Keanu Reeves 25 years later

Berry finally got the opportunity with Keanu Reeves roughly 25 years later in a popular action movie series, John Wick. The actress appeared as Sofia in 2019’s John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum but the job wasn’t easy. Berry once revealed that she spent 6 months learning martial arts and even broke three ribs during rehearsal.

Despite turning down 1994’s Speed, Berry went on to become one of the biggest stars in the entertainment industry thanks to her hits like Monster’s Ball (2001), Jungle Fever (1991), Bulworth (1998), Die Another Day (2002), X-Men (2000) and Things We Lost in The Fire (2007).

Related: Keanu Reeves’ John Wick Might Have Never Happened Without One Movie That Studio Was Against Casting Him