Warning: The below article contains major spoilers for Fast X.
Keanu Reeves was originally in talks to play Alan Ritchson's character in Fast X, but those plans fell through, leaving the role open for Ritchson to take over.
Ritchson told Entertainment Weekly that the Fast X casting team initially eyed Reeves to play the part of Aimes, the new head of The Agency in Fast X, who ultimately betrays Vin Diesel's Dominic Toretto. However, those plans did not pan out, and the role opened up for Ritchson.
"It was just a little stroke of luck and good timing," he 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."
Ritchson admitted Reeves was a "tough act to follow," and he briefly thought he may have to drop out due to "timing issues" after "the biggest blizzard in Winnipeg's history" shut down production. "Luckily, we worked it out, and they were able to push the dates a little more."
It's not the first time that Reeves has spoken to Fast writer Chris Morgan about joining the franchise. He was reportedly considered for a part in 2019's Hobbs & Shaw but didn't end up making the cast, as Morgan admitted: "The hardest thing is always time and competing schedules."
Even without Reeves, Fast X has introduced plenty of exciting newcomers to the franchise, including Jason Momoa's destructive villain Dante Reyes, Brie Larson, and Daniela Melchior. There are also some surprising cameos in the mix – one of which has completely baffled fans.
Fast X is now playing in theaters, and it marks the beginning of the end for the Fast and Furious franchise. The movie is intended to be the first half of a two-part finale, with its upcoming sequel slated for 2025, but Diesel has since hinted that the ending could yet turn into a trilogy.
Adele Ankers-Range is a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. Follow her on Twitter.
source https://www.ign.com/articles/fast-x-keanu-reeves-was-in-talks-to-play-alan-ritchsons-character