Why Keanu Reeves Did Not Star in 'Speed 2'.

At the Time, the film 'Speed' became a real breakthrough. Despite a rather familiar plot, the film still has many fans. However, after the dizzying first part, the main character did not appear in the second. Since then, many fans have been asking why Keanu Reeves did not star in 'Speed 2'. Although the entire film turned out to be a failure and was criticized. 

Along with this, many rumors emerged about why Keanu Reeves did not star in 'Speed 2'. After all, it is possible that this fact could have saved the entire picture. However, fans never received a direct answer, and they were left to build theories about why Keanu Reeves did not star in 'Speed 2'. 

Filming 'Speed': who left and why? 

In 1994, the world saw one of the most dynamic and thrilling action movies of that time - 'Speed'. The film became a real hit, elevating Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock to a new level of popularity. But when it came to the sequel, Keanu Reeves made an unexpected decision: he refused to return to his role. This news was a shock to many fans. After all, the actor not only did not star but a completely different character was brought in his place, and this did not benefit the film. Even the lead actress did not 'pull' the film. 

However, we need to start with the first film. 'Speed' directed by Jan de Bont was released in 1994 and instantly won the hearts of viewers. The plot revolved around a mad race on a bus that could not drop below 50 miles per hour; otherwise, a bomb planted by a terrorist would go off. The main roles were played by Keanu Reeves, who portrayed the brave police officer Jack Traven, and Sandra Bullock, who embodied the image of an ordinary passenger stuck behind the wheel of the bus.

The film grossed over 350 million dollars worldwide against a budget of only 30 million. 

'Speed' received rave reviews for its tense plot, incredible stunts, and the chemistry between the main characters. Keanu Reeves, already known for his roles in 'Point Break' and 'Dracula', firmly established his status as an action star. It's hard to deny that the chemistry between the lead characters played a significant role. After all, following the film, a romance was rumored between them. 

Keanu Reeves’s Role in the Success of 'Speed'

The character of Jack Traven became iconic. Reeves perfectly embodied the lone hero, willing to risk his life to save others. His performance was convincing and charismatic, allowing viewers to empathize with his character throughout the film. Furthermore, Keanu actively participated in role preparation, performing many stunts himself, which added realism to the film.

It was thanks to Reeves that the character of Jack Traven became so memorable that audiences eagerly awaited his return in the sequel. However, the producers' plans faced an unexpected obstacle.

'Speed 2': The Beginning of the End 

Then everything went wrong. After the success of the first film, 20th Century Fox immediately began work on a sequel. 'Speed 2: Cruise Control' was released in 1997. The plot focused on a cruise liner taken over by a terrorist. This time, instead of Keanu Reeves, the main character was a new character - Alex Shaw, played by Jason Patrick. Sandra Bullock returned to her role as Annie Porter, but this did not save the film.

'Speed 2' was a failure among both viewers and critics. The film grossed only 164 million dollars against a budget of 160 million. The screenplay was deemed weak, and the lack of tension and dynamics that made the first film successful only heightened the disappointment. Many viewers directly stated that the absence of Keanu Reeves was one of the main reasons for the failure.

Why Did He Decline?

Keanu Reeves's decision not to participate in 'Speed 2' was unexpected, especially considering the success of the first film. However, the actor had his own reasons, and they turned out to be quite justified: 

1. Screenplay. Keanu Reeves openly admitted that he did not like the screenplay of 'Speed 2'. The actor felt that the plot about a cruise liner could not provide the same emotional tension as the bus story. He saw this sequel as weak development of the idea that made the first film successful.
2. Ambitions. At that time, Reeves was striving for diversity in his career. He wanted to avoid repetitive roles to not get stuck in one typecast. After 'Speed', Keanu preferred to star in 'The Devil's Advocate' with Al Pacino, which provided him the opportunity to showcase his dramatic abilities. However, Reeves himself never confirmed this reason, and it remained speculation among fans. 
3. No More Action Movies. After a series of action genre roles, Reeves felt the need for a change of pace. The actor spoke of wanting to try other genres and avoid the stereotypical image of an action hero.

At the time, there were rumors about a conflict with the producers. According to some reports, Reeves turned down the studio's offer despite a promised fee of 12 million dollars. This decision surprised many, but for Keanu, money has never been the primary motivation. Possibly, many reasons influenced Keanu's decision, rather than just one. 

There was also a version that his personal life affected him. By the time they were discussing 'Speed 2', Keanu was exhausted from a busy filming schedule. He decided to take a break to recover and spend time on himself. However, this too is just one of the theories. 

The Legacy of 'Speed' and Keanu Reeves's Role

Today, 'Speed' continues to be a classic of the genre, while 'Speed 2' is almost forgotten. Keanu Reeves's decision not to participate in the sequel proved to be correct - the film flopped, and his career continued to soar. Soon after that, he starred in the iconic 'Matrix' and 'John Wick', proving that his intuition and commitment to quality projects were justified.

Declining the role in 'Speed 2' not only did not harm Reeves's career but also strengthened his reputation as an actor who chooses projects with soul and attention to detail. Although, perhaps his presence might have impacted the plot itself, which is also not excluded.