Tag: Keanu Reeves

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Netflix Adapting Keanu Reeves’ Comic ‘BRZRKR’ Into Live-Action Film & Anime Series – Reeves To Star In Both

Yesterday, Netflix announced they’ll be boarding the Keanu Reeves train as they’ve made a deal to adapt the BOOM! Studios/Reeves comic book BRZRKR for a live-action film and anime series as a follow-up afterwards. Reeves himself will, of course, star in both projects with the latter lending his voice.

BRZRKR is a brutally epic saga about an immortal warrior’s 80,000 year fight through the ages. The man known only as “B” is half-mortal and half-god, , cursed and compelled to violence… even at the sacrifice of his sanity. But after wandering the earth for centuries, B may have finally found a refuge – working for the U.S. government to fight the battles too violent and too dangerous for anyone else. In exchange, B will be granted the one thing he desires – the truth about his endless blood-soaked existence…and how to end it.

The anime series will further expand the BRZRKR universe by exploring different elements of the story. In the series, Reeves will reprise his role and voice his character. 

Keanu is coming off a shoot for Matrix 4 aka Matrix Resurrections at Warner Bros. with John Wick: Chapter 4 and John Wick: Chapter 5 on the horizon. While Lionsgate has suggested their plan is to film the next two John Wick installments back-to-back. There is a good chance John Wick: Chapter 5 will be the final film according to franchise creator Derek Kolstad.

Developing another action franchise at Netflix seems like the choice move there for Reeves.

SOURCE: NETFLIX

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‘Matrix 4’s Real Title Might Be ‘Matrix Resurrections’ According To A Wrap Gift

A post from film and television hairstylist Shunika Terry might have accidentally revealed that the real official title to Matrix 4 is actually Matrix Resurrections. She posted what seems to be a wrap gift from the shoot in Germany which included a thank you card to the cast and crew mentioning the film’s title.

In a recent promo for HBO Max, the film was simply referred to as Matrix.

It’s worth mentioning the post has been since deleted from Instagram after going viral over the weekend.

Lana Wachowksi returns to direct a cast that consists of Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jada Pinkett Smith, Jessica Henwick, Daniel Bernhardt, Priyanka Chopra, Ibarra, Neil Patrick Harris, Toby Onwumere, Brian J. Smith, Eréndira Ibarra, Andrew Caldwell, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Ellen Hollman.

Warner Bros. has given the film a release date of December 22nd, 2021.

THE MATRIX – Neo (Keanu Reeves) believes that Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), an elusive figure considered to be the most dangerous man alive, can answer his question — What is the Matrix? Neo is contacted by Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), a beautiful stranger who leads him into an underworld where he meets Morpheus. They fight a brutal battle for their lives against a cadre of viciously intelligent secret agents. It is a truth that could cost Neo something more precious than his life.

SOURCE: SHUNIKA TERRY

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‘John Wick 4’: Ian McShane Believes Sequel Will Begin Shooting This Year

Collider was able to speak with John Wick franchise actor Ian McShane and he revealed the fourth installment is still expected to begin filming this year. You might remember there had been production delays on John Wick: Chapter 4 because the extended shoot for The Matrix 4 with Keanu Reeves reprising the Neo role.

MCSHANE: “Keanu [Reeves] and I exchanged New Year’s greetings and said, ‘Hope to see you this year.’ I know the script is being written and they’re hoping to do it this year. I know they announced they were gonna do [John Wick 4] and [John Wick 5] together, but who knows. The studios announce all sorts of things. No doubt, at some point this year, we’re gonna do John Wick 4.”

Ian McShane plays Winston, who in the last film seemingly turned on John shooting him off the roof of The Continental, only for him to survive the fall and brought to the hideout of the Bowery King agreeing to go to war with The High Table. It remains to be seen if Winston actually tried to kill him (didn’t look shocked when told Wick lived) or if he was trying to remove him from further pursuit from The High Table and the price on his head.

Lionsgate had set the film’s release for May 27th, 2022 but it could be moved depending on when production actually starts.

SOURCE: COLLIDER

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Jessica Henwick Has Been Pitching “Jess Wick” For ‘John Wick 4’ To Keanu Reeves On ‘Matrix 4’ Set

In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter to promote her film Love & Monsters, Matrix 4 actress Jessica Henwick (Game of Thrones, Iron Fist, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Godzilla vs Kong) revealed she has been pitching to co-star Keanu Reeves on the idea of playing “Jess Wick” at the very end of John Wick: Chapter 4. She states that John Wick franchise director Chad Stahelski is coming to the Matrix 4 set in two weeks and plans on giving him the pitch as well.

HENWICK: “So I pitch Jess Wick to Keanu all the time. I’m probably driving him crazy. I was like, ‘Okay, Keanu, listen to me. Boom. John Wick 4, last 5 minutes, credits roll, post-credit sequence. Boom! You see my face, Jess Wick.’ I just started acting it out and then he started acting it out, too. We put on this little ten-minute show of what Jess Wick and John Wick would be like. Chad Stahelski, the director of all the John Wick movies, is flying out in two weeks, I think. So I’m going to go straight up to him and I’m going to say it.”

Henwick is said to be playing a Neo-type character in the Matrix sequel and we’ve seen Chad court actors that have previously worked with Keanu in the past. It might be in their interest to add someone like Jessica with stunt/actor experience for what new roles they want to include if it’s Jess Wick or not.

Once Matrix 4 is completed there is an expectation that John Wick: Chapter 4 and John Wick: Chapter 5 will be shot back-to-back with franchise creator Derek Kolstad suggesting that Chapter 5 could be the final film in the John Wick Saga.

We know that a female-focused spinoff that is in the works at Lionsgate titled Ballerina with Underworld director Len Wiseman attached and there is a good shot that actress might appear in the next two John Wick films to help bridge their connections to the same cinematic universe.

Matrix 4 is set to be released on December 22nd, 2021 and John Wick: Chapter 4 is expected to be out on May 27th, 2022.

SOURCE: THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

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‘Matrix 4’ Actress Jessica Henwick Praises Director Lana Wachowski – “I Think She’s Going To Change The Industry Again With This Film”

Matrix 4 is going to be a brand new installment in the Matrix mythology and trade reports stated that actress Jessica Henwick (Game of Thrones, Iron Fist, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Godzilla vs Kong) would be playing a Neo-type character in the film with her potentially becoming the next “One”.

While speaking recently with Comic Book, Jessica had nothing but praise for director Lana Wachowski and highlighted how the technical side of the project could again have a huge impact on the film industry. As the original film did help to shift the mature factor of storytelling alongside well-crafted action scenes with proper use of CGI and practical effects.

HENWICK: “There are definitely moment on set where Yahya [Abdul-Mateen II] and I look at each other and we just go, ‘Matrix 4’. Those pinch me moments. Yeah, Lana is doing some really interesting things on a technical level in the same way that you know, she created a style back then. I think she’s going to change the industry again with this film. There’s some camera rigs that I’ve never seen before that we’re using. That’s probably all I can say for that.”

This seems to echo other stuff we’ve heard previously heard about how gung ho Lana has been with this shoot as she has been directing the bulk of second unit action sequences which is normally handled by the stunt coordinator as it can be the more dangerous shots in the film.

The sequel’s cast also includes Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jada Pinkett Smith, Daniel Bernhardt, Priyanka Chopra, Ibarra, Neil Patrick Harris, Toby Onwumere, Brian J. Smith, Eréndira Ibarra, Andrew Caldwell, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Ellen Hollman.

Fans like myself are hoping it’s a return to form as the two sequels didn’t have the same impact as the original and there is an expectation that Matrix 4 will be the start of a brand new trilogy possibly led by new actors like Jessica Henwwick with the original cast passing the torch.

While there has been some plenty of release date delays as the studio has moved up the release of Matrix 4 from April 1st, 2022, to December 22nd, 2021.

THE MATRIX – Neo (Keanu Reeves) believes that Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), an elusive figure considered to be the most dangerous man alive, can answer his question — What is the Matrix? Neo is contacted by Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), a beautiful stranger who leads him into an underworld where he meets Morpheus. They fight a brutal battle for their lives against a cadre of viciously intelligent secret agents. It is a truth that could cost Neo something more precious than his life.


SOURCE: COMIC BOOK

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‘Matrix 4’ Moves From April 1st, 2022 To December 22nd, 2021 – ‘Black Adam’ Pulled From Schedule

When a majority of movies are being delayed over and over, Warner Bros. has announced that Matrix 4 will be moved up from April 1st, 2022 to December 22nd, 2021. This move will allowing fans to see the film earlier than expected.

However, with this good news it is at the expensive of Dwayne Johnson’s DC Comics film Black Adam that has been removed from the schedule for the time being. It’s expected to land a new date but likely wasn’t going to hit that prime holiday spot on December 22nd, 2021.

The sequel’s cast includes Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jada Pinkett Smith, Daniel Bernhardt, Priyanka Chopra, Jessica Henwick, Ibarra, Neil Patrick Harris, Toby Onwumere, Brian J. Smith, Eréndira Ibarra, Andrew Caldwell, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Ellen Hollman.

Matrix 4 is currently film in Berlin, Germany.

SOURCE: WARNER BROS.

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Hugo Weaving Says Lana Wachowski Pulled The Plug On His Return For ‘Matrix 4’

A while back, Hugo Weaving had cited scheduling issues as the reason he ultimately wouldn’t be returning for the fourth Matrix film after there had been interest from director Lana Wachowski for the actor to reprise the role of Agent Smith. 

However, Weaving has now given a more detailed explanation of what happened behind the scenes during a recent interview with Coming Soon. This new version suggests that his reaction to the script may have led to Lana having second thoughts about having Hugo return as during the negotiation stage she decided against it.  

WEAVING: “Lana Wachowski had rung me at the beginning of last year. We’ve worked together five times, the Wachowski’s and I on three Matrix films, V for Vendetta and Cloud Atlas. I’ve hung out with them all over the world for many, many years. So, yes, Lana was very keen for me to be involved in The Matrix. There was a reading with Keanu, Carrie, and myself and a few others from the old family.”

“I loved a lot of it and wasn’t sure about other bits. Ultimately, we talked about it and when the offer came through to do it for Warner’s I said yes the next day and I talked to Lana.”

“I thought we could have done my scenes in May, June, and July; and we talked about money and we talked about — they were negotiating,” Weaving added. “And we were all pretty much sorted and agreed on dates and it was all fine, but then Lana decided she didn’t think it was going to work. So, she pulled the plug on the negotiations. That’s where it ended up. She basically didn’t feel that my commitment to the National Theatre was going to fit in with the dates that she had in mind for me.”

“It was a shame in one way that I couldn’t be with them all in Berlin, but that was her call. So, that was it really. I know they then started shooting in San Francisco and they were going to shoot in Chicago and they ended up starting in Berlin but it was shut down. But they restarted again. I don’t know how they’re going, but, yeah, it would be lovely to be over there to hang out with them all. I’m very fond of Keanu and Carrie. I haven’t seen them for a while. But I look forward to seeing it.”

Sometimes directors have second guesses when it comes to the creative/casting stage and if things just don’t feel like a good fit during the meeting process it might not pan-out. This isn’t the first time an actor thought they were returning for a sequel and it didn’t come together.

Laurence Fishburne is also not expected to reprise the Morpheus role either.

As Weaving points out he has an excellent relationship with Lana and I’m sure they’ll find something to work on in the future. 

Filming is currently underway at Babelsberg Studio just outside of Berlin, Germany. 

The cast of Matrix 4 includes returning actors such as Keanu Reeves as Neo, Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity, and Jada Pinkett Smith as Niobe. New additions include Jessica Henwick (Godzilla vs Kong, Iron Fist, Star Wars: The Force Awakens) playing a new version of Neo/The One, Neil Patrick Harris (Starship Troopers, Gone Girl), Toby Onwumere, Erendira Ibarra (Sense8), and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Watchmen, Aquaman).

There is an expectation if successful the studio will move forward with two sequels to complete a new trilogy. 

John Wick directors Chad Stahleski and David Leitch returned to help with action sequences on the film that would be shot by Lana herself, normally handled by a stunt coorindator/2nd unit director given the danger involved with capturing action shots. 

Warner Bros. has given the sequel/soft-reboot a release date of April 1st, 2022. 

SOURCE: COMING SOON

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Cyberpunk Sequel To ’47 Ronin’ Heading To Netflix – Original Starred Keanu Reeves

Deadline reports that Universal 1440 and Netflix are teaming up for a sequel to the Keanu Reeves samurai fantasy film 47 Ronin, inspired by the Japanese historical event from the 18th Century but added fantasy elements to it. The new film is said to be set 300 years in the future and will be set in the exotic world of cyberpunk adding science fiction elements to the fantasy/horror from the original.

Mulan actor Ron Yuan will be directing with an expectation that filming could begin in the first quarter of 2021.

It’s unknown if they’ll attempt to bring any original cast members to play new characters but it certainly allows them to hire a majority of Asian actors to lead the film.

47 RONIN – In feudal Japan, Lord Asano rules his province with fairness. However, jealous Lord Kira (Tadanobu Asano) fears that the shogun favors Asano over him and hatches a plot that ends with Asano’s ritual suicide. After Asano’s death, his samurai, led by Oishi (Hiroyuki Sanada), are forced to live as outcasts. Oishi wanders for several years but realizes that he must turn to Kai (Keanu Reeves), a mixed-blood warrior he once rejected, to help him and his ronin comrades take revenge on Lord Kira.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

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‘John Wick 4’ and ‘John Wick 5’ Expected To Shoot Back-To-Back According To Lionsgate

Mr. Wick is coming back for two more movies!

Earlier in the year, John Wick creator Derek Kolstad suggested that John Wick: Chapter 5 could be the final installment of the franchise, it looks like Lionsgate is indeed moving forward with that installment much sooner than we had expected. 

On the Lionsgate earnings call yesterday (via The Hollywood Reporter), CEO Jon Feltheimer revealed their current plan is to hopefully shoot both John Wick: Chapter 4 and John Wick: Chapter 5 back-to-back. 

Hinting they could both begin production next year depending on Keanu’s schedule. 

FELTHEIMER: “We’re also busy preparing scripts for the next two installments of our John Wick action franchise, with John Wick 4 slated to hit theaters Memorial Day weekend 2022. We hope to shoot both John Wick 4 and 5 back-to-back when Keanu becomes available early next year.”

This is likely due to the delays on John Wick 4 after Keanu’s filming of Matrix 4 happened to land squarely during the pandemic and production was ultimately paused until recently where it seemingly has resumed in Germany. 

It would be expected that both director Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeve are returning for John Wick 5. 

Pushing forward with John Wick 5 is likely more of a way to finalize the franchise and making sure they have everything tied up in a nice bow, the extra development time during the pandemic also possibly led to the fifth installment being pushed into script phases. Another reason could be to essentially shoot it as one big movie and save production costs. 

Filming on John Wick: Chapter 4 is expected to begin sometime next year once Keanu completes his work on Matrix 4 and the studio recently gave it a new release date of May 27th, 2022. 

The fourth installment is expected to see John (Reeves) and The Bowery King (Fishburne) going to war with The High Table, the mysterious group that controls their violent world of assassins. 

This would further delay Chad’s Highlander reboot as well. 

Lionsgate is also looking to expand the franchise with spinoffs including a Starz series titled The Continental and Len Wiseman’s upcoming female-led action flick Ballerina both directly set in the world of John Wick. 

SOURCE: LIONSGATE

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‘Constantine’ Director Francis Lawrence Still Interested In Making A Sequel With Keanu Reeves – WB Seemingly Has Other Plans For Character

Last year, Constantine actor Keanu Reeves revealed to Variety he would be open to the idea of making a sequel and reprising the role of John Constantine.

REEVES: “I’ve always wanted to play John Constantine again. I just love that world too and I love that character. Yeah, I just had a blast playing that character.”

Director Francis Lawrence has now weighed-in while speaking with our pals over at Slash Film, revealing he has spoken with Keanu and producer/screenwriter Akiva Goldsman about the prospect of a sequel. However, mentioned that the character is out of their hands potentially referring to the Justice League Dark series being developed for HBO Max by J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot.

LAWRENCE: “I think we all wanted to do it. It was successful enough. We wanted to make a responsible, more R-rated movie. By responsible, I mean we’d make a movie that wouldn’t cost quite as much as the original, which we thought was going to be PG-13. We worked on the sequel for a while. It was tricky to come up with where to take it. What I really liked about the first one was it was a really personal story, so I thought it’d be a mistake to get caught up in the supernatural gobblygook. The idea of a personal story was really interesting, and that was the hard thing to come across. We have been talking about it recently. It’s always stuck with all of us because we all love the movie, and especially realizing there’s a real cult following for this movie, it’d be fun to make. Keanu, Akiva, and I have actually talked about it. “

“Unfortunately, I don’t even remember who has it, but with all these shared universes that exist now, with Constantine being a part of Vertigo, which is a part of DC, people have plans for these shared universes. You know, possibly different Constantines and things like that. Right now, we don’t have that character available to us for TV or movies, which is a bummer. We all investigated it, but I think it’s kind of crazy when you have Keanu, who would love to do another Constantine, and us wanting to do another Constantine, and people are like, ‘Uh, no, we got other plans’. We’ll see what happens.”

We still don’t know if John Constantine will play a role in the new HBO Max series but that makes the most sense at the moment.

Due to Keanu’s recently career resurgence thanks to the John Wick franchise, there might be a reason for Warner Bors. to at least consider having him reprise the role whenever the character resurfaces.

CONSTANTINE – As a suicide survivor, demon hunter John Constantine (Keanu Reeves) has literally been to hell and back — and he knows that when he dies, he’s got a one-way ticket to Satan’s realm unless he can earn enough goodwill to climb God’s stairway to heaven. While helping policewoman Angela Dodson (Rachel Weisz) investigate her identical twin’s apparent suicide, Constantine becomes caught up in a supernatural plot involving both demonic and angelic forces. Based on the DC/Vertigo “Hellblazer” comics.

SOURCE: SLASH FILM