We’ve discussed how awesome Keanu Reeves is here, so in preparation for your Sunday night movie, we’re looking at the actor’s top five roles instead. This weekend on M-Net he’ll return to the role of John Wick in John Wick: Chapter 2, one of his coolest roles yet. It’s so cool, it made our list of his top five roles. Which others made our list? Check it out below.
Ted in Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989 – )
A time machine, a history lesson, and two excellent dudes. This excellent ‘80s comedy nudged Reeves towards the spotlight and spawned a TV series, a sequel, and hopefully a third movie in the foreseeable future.
Scott Favor in My Own Private Idaho (1991)
It’s not often you see Reeves doing drama, but if you want a change from his action and comedy antics, this Shakespearean coming-of-age movie by Gus van Sant co-starring the late River Phoenix is some of Reeves’ best work.
Jack Traven in Speed (1994)
Reeves has become such an action stalwart, it seems strange to think there was a time when casting him in an action movie was somewhat inconceivable. But headlining Speed with Sandra Bullock did seem unusual in the ‘90s, even though he had already appeared, successfully, in Point Break. With Speed he again proved he was more than up to the task of playing an action hero, cementing his path for more massive action movies in the future.
Neo in The Matrix Trilogy (1999 – 2003)
That future came in the form of a big action movie that was more than just an action movie. A majestically crafted slice of philosophical sci-fi (although when is sci-fi not philosophical?), with action muscles to match, Reeves was cast in The Matrix (returning for two sequels) after Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, and Leonardo DiCaprio were considered for the role of Neo/Thomas Anderson/The One. Will Smith and Nicolas Cage were actually offered the role but turned it down. Keanu was cast, and he turned out to be the perfect one to play The One.
John Wick in John Wick (2014 – )
Just when you thought Keanu couldn’t get any cooler, he goes and makes John Wick. As the title character, he goes from mopey softy to hardcore hitman. The film was such a hit (see what we did?) it led to a sequel (your Sunday night movie) and a third instalment, slated for release next year.
John Wick: Chapter 2 reconnects Reeves with his equally awesome Matrix co-star Lawrence Fishburne.
Make sure you watch them in your #SundayNightMovie, John Wick: Chapter 2, on 25 March at 20:30 on M-Net.