The new Fast and Furious spinoff movie already had an immense amount of star power thanks to the likes of Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, and Idris Elba, but last month a new rumor implied that the movie was going to be even bigger thanks to the addition of Keanu Reeves to the cast of Hobbs & Shaw. Unfortunately, it was not to be, as the John Wick star has not put the rumor to bed. He's not in the movie.
The rumor landed about a month ago and it claimed that the new film would reveal that Idris Elba's character, who is presented as the film's villain in the trailers, is actually working for an even bigger bad guy, who would be played by Keanu Reeves. While the role was being described as a significant one, it was also suggested that Reeves might only appear in a post-credits sequence that would set up a Hobbs and Shaw sequel.
While Reeves admits to Variety that there were conversations with the Hobbs & Shaw team, he is very clear that nothing happened and he's not in the film. According to Reeves...
I don’t know how that happened. I really honestly do not know how that happened… I’ve been contacted, but yeah, I have no idea how that part of the story happened.
So, while it sounds like the original rumor had some basis in fact, as Keanu Reeves apparently could have had a role in the new Fast & Furious spinoff, it wasn't strictly true because no deal was ever reached. Keanu has nothing but good things to say about Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham and it sounds like he'd love to work with them if the opportunity ever came along.
The idea of Keanu Reeves appearing in a Fast & Furious movie wasn't entire crazy on its face. The movie is being directed by David Leitch, who was one of the co-directors on the first John Wick film alongside Chad Stahelski.
It does make one wonder if the description of the character Reeves was rumored to play might then turn out to be true. Perhaps another A-list actor will be appearing in the film in the role of the power behind the throne.
While there have been a handful of times that people behind a new movie have outright lied in an attempt to prevent a reveal, it doesn't feel like that's the case here. Instead it seems that conversations behind-the-scenes got misinterpreted as a done deal when things were far from that.
While The Rock versus Keanu Reeves is certainly a big screen battle I'd love to see, it appears I'll have to wait for another time and another place. Although, now that Reeves is on board for a fourth John Wick movie, he may be too busy himself to fit into the Rock's equally busy schedule.
Hobbs & Shaw hits theaters August 2. John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum is in theaters now
