Keanu Reeves

47 RONIN Pushed Back to February 8, 2013

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: April 25th, 2012 at 11:48 am

Universal certainly has an ambitious film on their hands with the samurai pic 47 Ronin, but it was announced today that they’ve decided to move the pic off of its pre-Thanksgiving release date.  Previously slated to open on November 11th, 47 Ronin will now be released on February 8th, 2013 (per Box Office Mojo).  Directed by Carl Rinsch, the 3D film stars Keanu Reeves and centers on a troupe of banished samurai who long to restore their honor and find vengeance against the treacherous Lord Kira (played by Tadanobu Asano) who was responsible for the death of their master.  We recently brought you a look at a fire-infused promo poster for the film from CinemaCon, which you can check out right here.

The release date change actually makes sense.  The November date had the action-centered film going up against Alfonso Cuaron’s highly anticipated sci-fi pic Gravity, and opening two weeks before The Hobbit and Les Miserables.  In February, 47 Ronin has a showdown with the Nicholas Sparks adaptation Safe Haven.  I don’t really see much cross-pollination happening between the audiences for 47 Ronin and a Nicholas Sparks movie…

Alex Winter Talks BILL & TED Sequel; Says Film Will Explore “What’s Happened to Rock & Roll in the Last 20 Years”

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: March 9th, 2012 at 6:37 pm

Just the other day, we heard the most excellent news that the script for a Bill & Ted sequel is complete. Star Alex Winter tweeted the good news, adding that now all they need is a green light. Winter recently sat down with MTV News and talked a bit about what to expect from the sequel, confirming that he’s optimistic Bill & Ted 3 will see the light of day:

“I think the reality is there probably will be another one”

Beyond the optimism, Winter briefly got into how the sequel came about and what kind of issues they’re looking to explore. In case you were worried, Winter and Keanu Reeves had a great deal of input into the story, going so far as to get into character to hash out dialogue. Hit the jump to see what he had to say.

Script for BILL & TED 3 Is Finished

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: March 5th, 2012 at 12:02 pm

Back in April, we received an update on the status of a third Bill & Ted movie. Keanu Reeves (who played Ted “Theodore Logan) said he and Alex Winter (Bill S. Preston, Esq.) were expecting a draft of the script in about six weeks.  Today, it looks as though the Wyld Stallyns have a finished script.  While speaking to The Independent about his new documentary Side by Side, Reeves was asked about how the project was coming along. “Yeah, we have a script.  We’re trying to put it together. It’s a good script too.”  Winter confirmed the progress of the script by tweeting “Script done? Check. -We love it? Check. -Green light? Working on it!”

Hit the jump for more.

Tribeca Film Picks Up Keanu Reeves’ Film vs. Digital Documentary SIDE BY SIDE

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: February 13th, 2012 at 12:24 pm

The documentary Side by Side is certainly one of the most interesting projects I’ve learned about in the past few months, and now it looks as though the film will be heading to a theater near you this summer. Tribeca Film announced today that it has acquired North American rights to the documentary produced and presented by Keanu Reeves. The film explores the evolving landscape of filmmaking, specifically the advent of digital and how its popularity affects traditional filmmaking. While that subject matter alone is worth exploring, Reeves and director Chris Kenneally sat down with nearly every master filmmaker working today to get their musings on the future of moviemaking.

Side by Side features interviews with James Cameron, David Fincher, George Lucas, Christopher Nolan, Martin Scorsese, David Lynch, Stephen Soderbergh, the Wachowskis, and many, many more. You can watch the trailer right here. Tribeca Film is planning a multi-platform summer release for the pic, followed by a broadcast premiere early next year in addition to screenings at college campuses and film schools across the country. The film is having its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival. Hit the jump to read the full press release.

First Trailer for Film vs. Digital Doc SIDE BY SIDE Featuring Interviews with Christopher Nolan, Martin Scorsese, and More

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 18th, 2012 at 5:12 pm

A little over a week ago, a curious little documentary was announced called Side by Side. The project, spearheaded by Keanu Reeves, features interviews with a number of master filmmakers regarding the film vs. digital debate. Now the first trailer for the film has popped up and Side by Side is officially one of my most anticipated movies of 2012. The trailer showcases Reeves having candid conversations about the death of film (and the advent of 3D) with people like George Lucas, Christopher Nolan, Martin Scorsese, James Cameron, and Steven Soderbergh. It looks incredibly intriguing, and I can’t wait to hear today’s foremost filmmakers weigh in on the future of moviemaking.

Hit the jump to watch the trailer. Side by Side will be released sometime this year.

Keanu Reeves Documentary SIDE BY SIDE Tackles Film vs. Digital Debate; Includes Interviews with Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan, and David Fincher

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 9th, 2012 at 11:10 am

A curious little website has popped up announcing a new documentary produced by Keanu Reeves that tackles one of the foremost issues facing filmmakers today: the advent of digital filmmaking. Entitled Side by Side, the documentary takes an in-depth look at the issue of film vs. digital, and “examines all aspects of filmmaking – from capture, to edit, to visual effects, to color correction, to distribution to archive.” Through interviews with numerous well-respected masters of the medium, Side by Side “explores what has been gained, what is lost and what the future might bring.” Take this sample quote from Christopher Nolan:

“No credible source really has been claiming to have invented something that is aesthetically superior to film at this point.”

The documentary will feature Reeves interviewing filmmakers like Martin Scorsese, David Fincher, Lana and Andy Wachowski, George Lucas, James Cameron, Steven Soderbergh, and many more. Hit the jump for more details.

Keanu Reeves Secures Funding and Distribution for Directorial Debut MAN OF TAI CHI

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: December 14th, 2011 at 8:31 pm

It was first announced in April that Keanu Reeves planned on making his directorial debut with the martial arts movie Man of Tai Chi.  Ever since, Reeves has been in talks with Village Roadshow Asia and China Film Group to make it happen.  Reeves has finally made the deal, teaming with Universal and Wanda Media in addition to Village Roadshow and China Film Group to make and distribute Man of Tai Chi.  Tiger Chen, who was part of the Matrix stunt team, stars as “as a young martial artist whose fighting skills brings him to a realm of vast opportunities, and painful choices.”  Reeves will also co-star as the villain.

Man of Tai Chi is scheduled to start shooting in February in China.  Reeves will shoot in both Mandarin and English for the film, set in contemporary Beijing.  Hit the jump for quotes from Reeves on his approach to the task at hand.

New Images and Poster for GENERATION UM… Starring Keanu Reeves and Adelaide Clemens

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: August 16th, 2011 at 8:21 am

Thanks to Voltage Pictures website, a number of new images and the first poster for Mark L. Mann’s Generation Um… have hit the net.  Starring Keanu Reeves, Adelaide Clemens and Bojana Novakovic, the film “follows a day in the life of John (Reeves) and his two beautiful cohorts as they live life on the fringe, immersed in sex, drugs and indecision.  As they navigate their daily routine of bars, crowds and New York City living, they embark on a path of self-discovery.”

Hit the jump for more.

Watch 25 Actors Before They Were Famous in Three Minutes, Including Seth Rogen, Jack Black and Natalie Portman

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: August 15th, 2011 at 4:16 pm

Thank the Maker for YouTube. With the advent of the video-on-demand digital age, no longer is that TV movie role that Actor X did when he was 11-years-old lost forever, and now someone’s put together a compilation of 25 “before they were famous” first roles for our viewing pleasure. Did you know that Daniel Craig was in A Kid in King Arthur’s Court? How about Joseph Gordon-Levitt on Roseanne or Jake Gyllenhaal in City Slickers? No need to hit up Netflix, some choice scenes are now all in one place.

Hit the jump to watch the montage, which includes 25 sometimes painful scenes featuring Jim Carrey, Denzel Washington, Angelina Jolie, Ryan Gosling, Keanu Reeves, Nicole Kidman, Seth Rogen, Jake Gyllenhaal, Harrison Ford and more.

Keanu Reeves Talks 47 RONIN; First Synopsis Revealed

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: May 24th, 2011 at 12:03 pm

Can director Carl Erik Rinsch balance a fantastic epic featuring giants and witches with one of Japan’s legendary tale of loyalty and sacrifice?  That’s the question circling 47 Ronin but star Keanu Reeves explains how the film plans to honor the Japanese people who have grown up hearing this tale while still creating a widely-accessible tentpole flick.  Says Reeves,

“Japanese kids grow up with this story told to them. They hear it from family and they learn it in school, it’s part of the culture.  It’s been made into movies many times and on television. It’s like our westerns, the story keeps being told.  It’s been reworked in some ways [for this new film] but with great care and respect.”

Hit the jump for more details on the project including a synopsis.  The film also features Japanese stars Hiroyuki Sanada, Tadanobu Asano, Kô Shibasaki, and Rinko Kikuchi.  47 Ronin is set to open in 3D on November 11, 2012.

Keanu Reeves Will NOT Star in AKIRA; Film Still in Development

by Jason Barr    Posted: May 17th, 2011 at 4:47 pm

Talks between Warner Bros. and Keanu Reeves regarding his role in the studio’s adaptation of the manga-turned-anime, Akira, have come to an end with Reeves passing on the project. JoBlo broke the news of the deceased negotiations earlier today which quickly spawned questions concerning the film’s future at the studio. While I’ll stop short of projecting the film’s long-term outlook, for now we have confirmed the accuracy of the original report with the studio who reassures us that Reeves passing on the role has not killed the project which is set to be directed by Albert Hughes (The Hughes Brothers) from a rewritten script by Steve Kloves (the Harry Potter series).

Although the constant back-and-forth regarding Akira casting may appear to be a bleak sign for the project (a shortlist of names including Robert Pattinson and Chris Pine previously appeared here, with names like James Franco and Zac Efron being rumored here and here), it’s worthy to note that many high-profile/big-budget projects such as this have a difficult time getting off of the ground initially. As such, we should most likely expect Warner Bros. to begin courting another upper-echelon name to attach to the project in the near future. For more on Akira, including a statement from the studio, hit the jump.

Keanu Reeves in Talks for AKIRA? [UPDATED]

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: May 6th, 2011 at 11:04 am

The live-action version of Akira may actually be happening. After Warner Bros. secured a co-financer for the $230 million pricetag (Legendary Pictures, who just recently backed out of the deal), and Harry Potter screenwriter Steve Kloves turned in a rewrite of the script that had everyone eager to get going, producers began searching for their cast. Directors the Hughes brothers have been searching for an A-lister with global appeal to star in the flick (you don’t gamble that amount of money without ensuring that you’re gonna rake in serious international revenue), but for a while it seemed like they were searching in vain.

Now, Vulture reports that Keanu Reeves is in very early talks to take on the starring role in the film. Based upon the manga and the 1988 anime adaptation, Akira centers on teenager Shōtarō Kaneda and his quest to stop his friend Tetsuo from destroying Neo-Tokyo. Hit the jump for more on the project.

[Update: Heat Vision reports that Reeves is in talks for the role of Kaneda, the gang leader.]

Keanu Reeves to Direct and Play Villain in MAN OF TAI CHI

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 6th, 2011 at 9:36 am

Keanu Reeves plans to make his directing debut on the kung-fu flick Man of Tai Chi.  Reeves also tells MTV that he plans to play the villain in the movie, which would be set in the present day but recall classic kung-fu films.  And the film won’t lack for kung-fu fighting:

“There’s 18 fights. We’ve timed it out. It’s about 40 minutes of fighting,” he said. “I want to make a good, solid kung fu movie. Good story, good plot — but let’s get some good kung fu going!”

Hit the jump for more details on the project.  Reeves is currently shooting on Carl Rinsch’s 47 Ronin, which is due out in 3D on November 21, 2012 and centers on a group of former samurai avenging the murder of their lord.

Keanu Reeves Provides New Details on BILL & TED 3; Expects Script in Six Weeks

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 4th, 2011 at 3:49 pm

While I’m going to have trouble believing that a third Bill & Ted movie is a reality until cameras actually start rolling on it, Keanu Reeves says that he expects the writers to send him and co-star Alex Winter a draft in about six weeks.  Reeves also told MTV that the film will be based on the events of Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey:

“When we last got together, part of it was that Bill and Ted were supposed to have written the song that saved the world, and it hasn’t happened.  So they’ve now become kind of possessed by trying to do that. Then there’s an element of time and they have to go back.”

Hit the jump for my thoughts on the potential sequel.

Trailer for HENRY’S CRIME Starring Keanu Reeves

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: March 16th, 2011 at 2:57 pm

Moving Pictures has released a trailer for Henry’s Crime, a heist comedy starring Keanu Reeves, Vera Farmiga, and James Caan.  While it’s basically the same trailer that leaked online back in January, we never posted it and now it’s in higher quality.

The story centers on a nice guy (Reeves) who goes to jail for a bank robbery he didn’t commit.  Now released from prison, he enlists his old cellmate (Caan) to rob the bank for real this time.  The film looks cute and it’s nice to see Reeves in an intentional comedy.  Hit the jump to check out the trailer and click here for Steve’s interview with Reeves from when the film played back at the Toronto Film Festival.  Henry’s Crime opens April 8th.

Copyright ©2005 - 2012. All Rights Reserved. California web design