Everyone loves a good redemption story from their movie stars. Robert Downey Jr and Matthew McConaughey both saw their careers stalled before a major event (IRON MAN for RDJ, Best Actor for Matthew McConaughey) shook them up and drove them back to the top of the Hollywood A-list. With the buzz surrounding his latest movie JOHN WICK, why can’t Keanu Reeves have that same renaissance?
A recent rumor has Reeves as a possible contender for the lead in Marvel’s DOCTOR STRANGE. Countless names have been linked to the film and it seems the recent talks with Joaquin Phoenix were unsuccessful, so the studio is on the hunt for another lead. Reeves previously worked with DOCTOR STRANGE director Scott Derrickson on THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, so they are already familiar with each other. Seems like the perfect match.
Reeves was asked about DOCTOR STRANGE by Collider.
“Would I be good at that? Would I be right for the role? I go to those kinds of movies, I like superhero movies. I grew up on them and comics and graphic novels, and the movies,” he said, although he added “I didn’t know Doctor Strange as a character, I didn’t read that as a kid,”
Reeves seemed to be as caught off guard by the rumor as anyone else, but he didn’t outright reject the notion. He did have one concern though.
“From a practical standpoint, the idea of a longtime contract [like the famed long-term Marvel deals] is sort of ‘errr’ because you want to make sure the material is up to a certain level, like the good or great level,” Reeves said. “I think with [superhero movies], you need the material, you need the director who you think can deliver a vision. You don’t want to do it for doing it, you know? You want to try and make sure it’s doing something.”
Keep in mind that Keanu Reeves is 50, which would mean his contract could put him close to 60 by the time it was done. Marvel is likely looking for someone younger to take the lead in a new franchise. Reeves clearly looks like he can still kick ass with the young guys, so it really depends on what they want out of the character. Would you be okay with Keanu as the Sorceror Supreme?
DOCTOR STRANGE is slated for release July 8, 2016.