In an exciting development for fans of action and romance, Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock are set to reunite for an untitled new romantic thriller at Amazon MGM Studios. A representative from the studio confirmed the news to Entertainment Weekly, sparking enthusiasm among their followers.
Described as a propulsive project, this film promises to bring the dynamic chemistry of Reeves and Bullock back to the big screen. The script will be penned by Noah Oppenheim, known for his work on acclaimed films like Jackie and The Maze Runner. This reunion also marks the collaboration with Mark Gordon, the producer of the original Speed movie, as well as other cinematic hits such as Saving Private Ryan and The Patriot. Alongside Reeves and Bullock, the film's production team includes Bibby Dunn and Sarah Bremner.
Released in 1994, the original Speed film became a blockbuster success, grossing approximately $350 million worldwide on a modest budget of $30 million. This high-octane thriller solidified Keanu Reeves' status as an action star following his performance in Point Break (1991) and helped Sandra Bullock gain mainstream recognition after her earlier roles in smaller projects. The film was the directorial debut of Jan de Bont, who had previously worked as a cinematographer on iconic films like Die Hard. This background made him an ideal choice to direct a high-velocity thriller often dubbed Die Hard on a bus.
Following their success in Speed, Reeves and Bullock reunited in 2006 for The Lake House, a remake of a South Korean romantic fantasy-drama. However, the two stars had limited interaction on screen due to the film's unique premise, where two residents of the same house communicate across different time periods using a magical mailbox. In contrast, Bullock reprised her role from Speed in the less successful sequel, Speed 2: Cruise Control, in 1997, where Reeves did not participate, although Jan de Bont returned to direct.
During an anniversary screening at Beyond Fest in Los Angeles last year, Reeves and Bullock humorously pitched a concept for Speed 3, jokingly referring to it as the "geriatric version." Bullock quipped, "It won’t be fast,” to which Reeves added, “Retirement.” The actresses expressed her belief that making another Speed film would be challenging without the involvement of Jan de Bont, who was also present at the screening. She noted, “The crazy man in the greenish jacket over there... He’s so soft and gentle today, and I’m like, that’s not the man I remember.”
Bullock further speculated that creating another installment of Speed would require significant effort from everyone involved. She raised concerns that the contemporary film industry might not possess the courage to undertake such a daring project. "All these things happened because of the man who put the energy and the idea together and knew what the audience wanted," she reflected, emphasizing the importance of Jan de Bont in the success of the original film.
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