Keanu Reeves has consistently been one of the most bankable male actors in Hollywood for most of his career, and he has some exciting new projects on the horizon that will ensure his star continues to shine brightly for the foreseeable future.
Apart from his undeniable acting talent, Reeves has endeared himself to fans with his positive attitude and down to earth approach to life. Despite his success and fame, he has never used his celebrity to laud himself over others, and the combination of his ability as an actor and humility as a human being has made him one of the most-liked Hollywood stars ever.
It comes as no surprise, then, that he has plenty on his plate for the next 12 months with no less than three significant blockbusters and a video game release on the horizon.
Matrix 4
Arguably one of the most important roles in his career was as Neo in the groundbreaking The Matrix, directed by the Wachowskis and released initially 22 years ago in 1999. He is returning to reprise that role in the fourth instalment of the franchise, touted for a release in December 2021. While not much is yet known about the plot, it has been confirmed that crowd favourites Carrie Fischer, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Lambert Wilson will all also be making a comeback for the fourth film.
The Matrix franchise has had a significant impact on the entertainment sector, and its popularity has ensured it has become a common theme in the gaming industry. Numerous video games have been released, such as Enter the Matrix (2003) and the Matrix Online (2005). There is also a Matrix-themed pinball machine and Matrix Conquest board game.The famous franchise has left its traces in the iGaming industry as well, as there is even a Matrix-themed slot game titled Crypto Matrix available at the online casinos in Canada such as 7Bit and Playamo Casino.
John Wick Chapters 4 And 5
A combination of Reeves’s acting ability and his eye for a decent script means he gets involved with projects that often turn out to be more successful than anyone thought they had any right to be. One of the best examples of this is the massive success of the John Wick franchise of films, which began with Chapter 1 in 2014.
The film was released in a time of action-film fatigue when cinema-goers were looking for something a bit deeper than the standard action flick fair. However, Reeves and a script that offered far more than initially met the eye produced a blockbuster success that some believe has become his most iconic surprised almost everyone.
Following the release of two sequels that were equally as good and successful, the announcement of two further editions to the franchise was made. Production of the fourth instalment begins next year with a release date expected in 2022. Very little is known about the fifth instalment apart from the fact that it has been greenlit and will become a reality sometime in the future.
Past Midnight
In stark contrast to the above two entries, Past Midnight is a new project for Reeves but is no less exciting for his fans. Since the success of The Matrix, people have been clamouring for him to be cast as a superhero. The actor himself has even admitted his interest in playing the role of Wolverine.
While he will not be playing the role of one of Marvel’s most famous heroes, fans’ prayers have been answered after Deadline confirmed his character in Past Midnight, an Anthony and Joe Russo produced Netflix film, will be a vigilante superhero. Unfortunately, scant few details are known about the project at this stage apart from the fact it will be written by TJ Fixman, of Ratchet & Clank, and directed by Rick Famuyiwa.
Cyberpunk 2077
A star as big as Keanu Reeves can’t be contained to just the silver screen, and he is set to feature as one of the major characters in one of the most eagerly anticipated video games of all time. Marketing departments are famous for creating hype for new AAA releases, but nothing has been seen quite like the clamour that is building for the imminent arrival of Cyberpunk 2077 and Reeves’s involvement in the project certainly has a lot to do with it.
Reeves’s character in the game, Johnny Silverhands, will not only feature his voice but his likeness and mannerisms as well after he was involved in a full-motion capture process during the production of the game. He has been very involved with the game from early production and even appeared on stage at its full reveal presentation in 2019. It stands to reason that he will remain an integral part of the game’s marketing plans as it heads towards a planned release in early 2021.