Tom Hanks in the place of Keanu Reeves? And that too in Speed (1994)? It’s a thought that will make anyone furrow their eyebrows. There’s no denying that Tom Hanks’ acting ability is unmatched. From Forrest Gump to Cast Away and more, the actor has flexed his acting muscles.
However, it’s difficult to imagine him with Jack Traven’s buzzcut, asking Sandra Bullock’s Annie Porter to take the wheel of the bus. However, that indeed could have happened if Tom Hanks had accepted the role.
Was Tom Hanks The First Choice For Keanu Reeves’ Role In Speed?
While Keanu Reeves is known for the Matrix franchise or Point Break, it can’t be denied that Speed was a breakout performance by the star (as well as by Sandra Bullock). The film was termed as a sleeper hit and it ultimately went on to grab about $350 million at the box office on a modest $30 million budget.
Critics and audiences praised Reeves and Bullock’s performances. The film went on to win the Oscar for Sound mixing and Sound Editing at the 1995 Academy Awards. However, as per the writer of the film, Graham Yost, Keanu Reeves wasn’t the first choice for the film which essentially cemented his presence in the public eye. Tom Hanks was.
However, Hanks refused the role and so did other stars like Tom Cruise, Woody Harrelson, and Wesley Snipes. Apart from these actors, Stephen Baldwin was also offered the role but he declined because to him Jack Traven felt too much like Die Hard’s John McClane. So how was Keanu Reeves ultimately cast in Speed?
Why Was Keanu Reeves Cast In Speed (1994)?
As per a report by Entertainment Weekly in 1994, director Jan de Bont cast Keanu Reeves after seeing Point Break, and also because he fit some specific criteria. As per the director:
“I always felt Keanu would be perfect after seeing Point Break [in which he played a surfing fed]…. What is nice about him as an action hero is that he’s vulnerable on the screen. He’s not threatening to men because he’s not that bulky, and he looks great to women.”
However, the star’s looks could still use some improvement because as per the director, Reeves looked way too young for the role and the film was about growing up and coming of age. So the John Wick star cut off his hair, and in the process, scared a lot of people. De Bont said:
“I really didn’t want (Jack) to have long hair. I wanted him to look strong and in control of himself. Everyone at the studio was scared s—less when they first saw it.”
But that’s not all. Reeves even hit the gym for the role. He said, “I didn’t want to be cut, but I wanted to have somewhat of a beefy aspect to my chest and arms.” All of these changes indeed worked because audiences loved Reeves in the role and now can’t imagine anyone else in it.
Speed is available on Disney+.
Source: EW
