Keanu Reeves on the role that got away: ‘I did always want to play Wolverine’

keanu-reeves-on-the-role-that-got-away:-‘i-did-always-want-to-play-wolverine’

When you think about all the franchises and roles associated with Keanu Reeves, you’d think he’d be perfectly content with his filmography. Not only does he have The Matrix and the John Wick series under his belt, he’s also beloved for Bill & Ted, tackled Shakespeare (looking hella good doing so, I might add) and I will go to my grave singing his (and everyone else’s) praises for Parenthood. But during a recent Ask Me Anything on Reddit, Keanu revealed the one role that got away and it surprised me. When he was asked if he had any regrets about his career or roles he’d turned down, Keanu said no. But he added that he while he had no regrets, he did always want to play Wolverine, the stout Canadian X-Man brought to life by Hugh Jackman.

During a recent AMA on Reddit, Keanu Reeves opened up about any regrets in his career.

More specifically, the 58-year-old John Wick star was asked if he regretted turning down any of the roles in his past.

While he said no, he did reveal a dream role playing a classic comic book hero that he has not yet been able to book.

“I did always want to play Wolverine,” Keanu told a curious fan on Reddit.

[From Just Jared]

Aw, this breaks my heart a little. Because Keanu was seriously considered for Wolverine before Hugh was even suggested for the role. Several people were put forward as possible Wolverines. But only a few were favored by the studio heads. Among them were Russell Crow, Aaron Eckhart, Viggo Mortensen and Keanu. Keanu was fresh off The Matrix and quite hot. But it ultimately worked against him, because they worried comic book fans wouldn’t be able to see past him as Neo. The role went to Doughary Scott, who had to drop out, and the rest is history… or Hughstory *snerk* Now, I’m not saying I think Keanu should have been Wolverine, just that I feel bad he wanted the role that much and didn’t get it. And it is possible that had he gotten Logan, he would not have gotten John Wick. I love Keanu in John Wick so in my book, this worked out the way it should. Not to mention because it gave us the Hugh/Ryan Reynolds bromance as well. But I think in light of this, Ryan can find a role for his fellow Canadian in the next Deadpool alongside Wolverine. That would certainly be one pretty film.


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