In 1994, Keanu Reeves found massive success with the action-thriller Speed, solidifying his status as a bankable star alongside hits like Point Break and The Matrix. However, despite the film’s acclaim and commercial triumph, Reeves opted not to return for its 1997 sequel for a singular reason.

During an interview, Reeves explained his decision not to reprise his role in Speed 2: Cruise Control and hinted at a potential future for the franchise. Speed, co-starring Sandra Bullock, debuted on June 10, 1994, earning critical praise and grossing over $350.4 million worldwide, even securing two Academy Awards. Yet, Reeves surprised many by declining the sequel.

Speed 2: Cruise Control followed three years later, with Bullock returning alongside Jason Patric, but it suffered critical disappointment. Reeves candidly shared on Jimmy Kimmel Live his reaction upon reading the script for the sequel: “I loved working with Jan de Bont and Sandra, of course. It was just a situation in life where I got the script and I read the script and I was like ugggghhh.”

Reeves elaborated (via Den of Geek) that his primary issue was with the script and the sequel’s shift in setting from a bus to a cruise ship. He humorously compared the speed dynamics, noting, “It was about a cruise ship and I was thinking, a bus, a cruise ship… Speed, bus, but then a cruise ship is even slower than a bus and I was like, I love you guys but I just can’t do it.”

Reeves’ decision proved prescient as Speed 2 garnered only $164.5 million globally, falling short of expectations. Despite this, Reeves has expressed openness to returning to the Speed franchise under the right conditions. During promotions for John Wick in March 2023, he remarked to Access Hollywood about the possibility of Speed 3: “A great story and a great script.”

While there are no current developments on Speed 3, Reeves continues to engage in diverse roles, recently announced to voice Shadow in the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog film set for release in December 2024.