Keanu Reeves almost mirrored Val Kilmer’s decision that could have cost him his rise to fame and his place as Hollywood’s fan-favorite action star.

Keanu Reeves is one of Hollywood’s most formidable action stars. After having played ruthlessly brutal characters like John Wick and the cyber-criminal-turned-hero Neo in The Matrix, Reeves has solidified his place in Hollywood’s Hall of Fame for his crazy combat and action skills. However, before he was the morally gray hitman, John Wick, or the savior of humanity, Neo, the actor’s first tryst with fame was in the 1994 action thriller, Speed.

Keanu Reeves as Neo in The Matrix | Warner Bros.
While the film is a cult classic today, Reeves nearly made the same mistake as Val Kilmer by almost rejecting the one film that took him to the forefront of fame and acclaim.

Keanu Reeves Almost Rejected Speed Which Made Him a Global Star

Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock in Speed | 20th Century Fox
Keanu Reeves has played several brilliant roles throughout his career, with many of them, like John Wick or Constantine, becoming crucial parts of popular culture today. But before he achieved significant fame and worldwide appeal with such roles, Reeves’ first meet-up with success came in the form of the 1994 film, Speed.

Starring alongside Sandra Bullock in the film directed by Jan de Bont, the movie was an immediate success and even went on to earn two Academy Awards. Made against a budget of $30 million, the film went on to gross $350 million worldwide (via Box Office Mojo). Such is its appeal that the film continues to influence action flicks across the world even today.

While the action and stunt sequences played a major role in the film’s success, it was also Reeves’ everyman look. as Jack Traven, without the usual ruggedness and vascularity dominating the genre, that drew the attention of fans, critics, and the whole entertainment industry. However, it was a film that the actor was not keen on doing, as he revealed in an interview with Esquire,

I remember the script and I was like, ‘Eh?’ I mean, the plot’s ridiculous.

Reluctant to star in a film that made no sense to him, Reeves eventually agreed thanks to his agent’s persistence and the appeal of playing an everyman who becomes a hero. Although he did put his foot down when it came to Speed’s critical and commercially failed sequel, we are pleased that he agreed to star in the first film.

Val Kilmer Too Nearly Rejected One of His Most Acclaimed Roles

Val Kilmer as Iceman from Top Gun | Paramount Pictures
Val Kilmer has starred in several incredible movies and portrayed a wide range of characters over his long career. From portraying the legendary DV character Batman to Doc Holiday in Tombstone, several of his roles continue to be admired today. But when it comes to one of his most acclaimed and famous roles, it is Top Gun’s Lt. Tom Kazansky aka Iceman.

Starring alongside Tom Cruise, no other actor could have portrayed Iceman with the finesse that Kilmer did. His portrayal eventually gained him a worldwide appeal and a large fan base, yet the actor was reluctant to star in Top Gun, at first. In his memoir, I’m Your Huckleberry, Kilmer revealed,

I didn’t want the part. I didn’t care about the film. The story didn’t interest me. My agent, who also represented Tom Cruise, basically tortured me into at least meeting Tony Scott, saying he was one of the hottest directors in town.

Despite trying to sabotage the audition, he eventually bagged the role but had no interest whatsoever to be in the film. In his 2021 documentary, Val, Kilmer revealed that contractual obligations ultimately made him accept the role.

And now, Val Kilmer’s Iceman is just as iconic as Keanu Reeves’ Jack Traven and we sure are glad that the two actors were compelled to accept their respective roles.