Screenwriter Graham Yost says that Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson were also in play.
Then someone at the film company suggested, “What about Keanu Reeves? He’s hot by day.” The filmmakers initially rejected the idea—they thought of his silly “Bill & Ted” character.
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But they remembered his efforts in “Parenthood” and agreed to meet him. Reeves appeared on a motorcycle, and his experience from “Point Break” helped convince them that he could play a cop.
Halle Berry had also been approached for the role of Annie before Sandra Bullock got it.
Reeves and Bullock helped make “Speed” a worldwide success worth $350 million. Reeves later turned down the 1997 sequel, and Bullock returned without him.
But Reeves is open to “Speed 3,” saying he and Bullock would “crush it completely.” Bullock will also reunite, though a third film has yet to be confirmed.
Could Tom Cruise have done “Speed” better than Keanu Reeves? 😅
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