Keanu Reeves was very nearly part of the “Fast & Furious” universe, according to “Fast X” star Alan Ritchson.
Ritchson made his debut in the latest installment of the blockbuster franchise as Aimes, the new leader of the Agency, an organization hunting down Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his allies.
In a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, the “Titans” actor said that he took over the role from Reeves, who was originally eyed to play the antagonist.
“It was just a little stroke of luck and good timing,” Ritchson said.
“I was working on a movie with Hilary Swank up in Winnipeg in the freezing cold, and I got a call that things had shifted in the plans with Keanu Reeves, which is I think who was originally intended to play my part. Tough act to follow.”
Representatives for Reeves and Universal Pictures did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Ritchson also explained that he thought he had missed his window for the role when he received a call last year regarding director Justin Lin’s departure from “Fast X.” French director Louis Leterrier replaced Lin as director.
“I got another call while I was filming from Jeff Kirschenbaum, who produces ‘Fast,’ and he sounded real low,” the actor said. “I was like, ‘Oh, God. Whatever you’ve got to say, just say it. I can take it. I’m a big boy.’ He goes, ‘You’re not going to be working with Justin on this.'”
Ritchson continued: “I was like, ‘Okay … am I still in the movie?’ He was like, ‘Yeah, of course. We’re excited to work with you, but we’ve decided to go our separate ways with Justin.’ I was like, ‘Okay, you can just say that next time!’ So I’m very grateful that it worked out.”
This is the second time Reeves has been approached for a role in the “Fast & Furious” franchise.
Ahead of the 2019 spinoff “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw,” Reeves was also considered to play a villain in that movie.
Director David Leitch later told The Hollywood Reporter that he spoke to Reeves about playing the director of Eteon, a secret terrorist organization, but he didn’t want it to be seen as a stunt casting.
“I also wanted to make sure that it was enough — a real promise for something legitimate in the future — and wasn’t just a stunt casting role,” Leitch said. “We started to populate the movie with all these other personalities, and I just didn’t really think that we needed it, although I would’ve loved it.”
The “Fast” franchise is famous for casting several big names in supporting roles or small cameos such as Dwayne Johnson, Brie Larson, Helen Mirren, and Ryan Reynolds.
News
Reacher Season 3 Gives Us First Look At The Dutch Giant, Olivier Richters, On Set And He’s Already Messing With Alan Ritchson
Clash of the (literal) titans! (Image credit: Marvel Studios) Paulie is a character that Reacher fans have been curious about ever since it was confirmed that Reacher Season 3 – the hit show available with an Amazon Prime Video subscription – would be adapting the…
Gerard Butler’s Den of Thieves Sequel Finally Sets Theatrical Release Date
Den of Thieves 2: Pantera has finally gotten its theatrical release date. A date has finally been put on the board for Gerard Butler’s upcoming action sequel Den of Thieves 2: Pantera. A sequel to 2018’s Den of Thieves, the new film has been…
Gerard Butler is in Talks To Star in The Action-Thriller Comedy EMPIRE STATE
Gerard Butler is in talks to star in an upcoming comedic action-thriller titled Empire State, which is about the Empire State Building being attacked. Butler will re-team with Den Of Thieves director Christian Gudegast on the project, which will involve two first responders who don’t…
Gerard Butler’s ‘Den of Thieves 2’ Finally Sets a Release Date After 6 Years
Butler will star opposite O’Shea Jackson Jr. for the sequel to the hit heist film. Image via STXfilms THE BIG PICTURE Den of Thieves 2: Pantera is set to release on January 10, 2025 with the original cast returning for another heist…
Kriti Sanon Reveals Her Fangirl Moment With Gerard Butler, Calls Him Humble: ‘I Was Like Oh My God’
The Crew actress mentioned that the incident took place when she was shooting for her Telugu film with Mahesh Babu in London. Kriti Sanon is gearing up for her next release Do Patti with Kajol. Well, recently the teaser was…
The Top 10 Films Featuring Gerard Butler, According to Critical Acclaim
Known for his commanding screen presence, Gerard Butler has secured his place among the luminaries of the film industry. From his early beginnings with a background in law to becoming a standout performer in film and television, the 54-year-old Scottish veteran has…
End of content
No more pages to load