Even during some of his first public interviews alongside David Letterman, it was evident, Keanu Reeves was a great human-being, who always came across as wholesome, even in the early ’90s. From a career standpoint, he made some bold decisions along the way. Perhaps the most impactful was joining TheMatrix when others didn’t understand the script. However, he also made the correct call in turning down projects like Speed 2, despite being offered a boatload of cash.
Those decisions were aided by his long-time manager Erwin Stoff. The two shared a lengthy partnership, though it seems like things may have soured in 2012, according to Deadline. Let’s take a look at how it all went down.
Keanu Reeves Considers River’s Edge The Film That Launched His Career
During his interview with Total Film more than a decade ago, Keanu Reeves revealed that he started to get the acting bug as a teen on stage.
“I remember, playing Mercutio in high school in Romeo and Juliet and that was just fun. And I kinda grew up in it: originally my mother was a costume designer and my stepfather was a director on Broadway. He also did some films, so I was working as a production assistant when I was like 15. About that age, my mother says that I came up to her and said, “Do you mind if I become an actor?”
Although it wasn’t a box office sensation, Reeves credits the film River’s Edge for changing his career way back in 1986. “It was a great script. I remember going to the audition, where I met Crispin Glover. That was an exciting day. And then I got the role and that was an even better day! Working with Crispin, meeting Dennis Hopper… It was one of my first jobs in Los Angeles and a great artistic experience.”
Keanu Reeves And Long-Time Erwin Stoff Went Through Bumpy Times In 2012
From a professional standpoint, Deadline indicates that things were not going well between Keanu and Erwin behind the scenes. Deadline states that given Stoff was entering the world of producing, his time became limited. This might have been the reason for potentially losing one of his greatest clients.
“This is a cautionary tale for every Hollywood manager who’s spending a lot of time producing. Such is the case with Erwin Stoff. The 3 Arts Entertainment president has repped Keanu Reeves for something like 32 years.”It is believed that Keanu tried leaving the 3 Arts Entertainment agency altogether, but was convinced to stay and join different reps.
“Keanu Reeves very quietly left 3 Arts. Then he was recently convinced to stay at 3 Arts but with different reps,” says one of my sources. “Handling him now are Tom Lasally, Nick Frenkel, and David Miner. It’s an attempt to save the client.” I’ve confirmed this with several other insiders, too, even though Stoff denied any rift to me. I am told independently that “there’s no rancor,” Deadline stated.
Ultimately, Stoff was producing lots of projects, with the majority not involving Keanu. Neither side ever made an announcement about what went on. However, in 2016, Reeves made a major decision involving the future of his career.
Keanu Reeves Joined WME In 2016
In 2016, Keanu Reeves decided to change trajectories, joining the WME agency for all aspects of his career. Variety confirmed the move from a few years back.
“Actor, producer and director Keanu Reeves has signed with WME in all areas.”
“Reeves was previously with CAA. Reeves’ attorney is Melanie Cook at Ziffren Brittenham.”
Keanu’s career continues to keep rolling without any end in the near future. Although he’s quiet about his personal life, the actor did reveal that at 40, he struggled behind the scenes.
“I had the classic 40 meltdown. I did. It’s embarrassing. It was pretty funny. But then I recovered. To me, it was like a second adolescence. Hormonally, my body was changing, my mind was changing, and so my relationship to myself and the world around me came to this assault of finiteness.”
That is clearly something in the past, as at the age of 57, the Matrix star continues to age like a fine wine, especially professionally.
