The Matrix
Johnny Depphas turn over down a gang of movie roles for unlike reasons , but there are three that ended up being played byKeanu Reeves , and these were key in boosting his career . Johnny Depp ’s acting calling began in 1984 when he play Glen Lantz in Wes Craven’sA Nightmare on Elm Street , and even though he has appeared in movies from a motley of literary genre – such as the crime movieDonnie Brascoand the dramaChocolat – , he has become well known for playing “ weirdos ” and outcasts , mostly in his many collaborations with director Tim Burton .
Keanu Reeves ’ represent careerbegan in 1985 with the short filmOne Step Away , but his first lead role arrived three years later in the dramaPermanent Record . Reeves ’ breakout role happened in 1989 when he played Ted Logan in the sci - fi comedyBill & Ted ’s Excellent Adventure , and while he played a variety of roles after that ( though not all of them well - experience by critics and viewers ) , his career went through a turnaround time when he starred in the sci - fi movieThe Matrix . Reeves is now one of the most pop and dear action whiz in the entertainment industry , and surprisingly , three of his most notable roles were almost played by Johnny Depp : Johnny Utah inPoint Break , Jack Traven inSpeed , andNeo inThe Matrix .
Related : Why Keanu Reeves Was Recast For Speed 2 : Cruise Control
It’s Good Johnny Depp Wasn’t In Point Break, Speed & The Matrix
According to the musical note on thePoint BreakDVD , and as noted by manyother sources , the product work party ofPoint Breakhad other actors in judgement for the role of Johnny Utah when the picture show was close to product in the late 1980s . Among the names take for the role was Johnny Depp , but production fall through and the labor was picked up again four days later . Not long after , when the activity movieSpeedwas in pre - product , Johnny Depp was offered the function of Jack Traven but he turned it down , and managing director Jan de Bont retch Keanu Reeves after seeing his functioning inPoint Break .
Last but not least , Johnny Depp was the Wachowskis ’ first selection for Neo inThe Matrix(according to composer Don Davis ) , but Warner Bros. was pushing for Brad Pitt or Val Kilmer . After Pitt and Kilmer turned down the offer , it came down to Johnny Depp and Keanu Reeves , the latter being the studio ’s choice , and so Reeves end up get the role . None of these part actually fitJohnny Depp ’s style , as he ’s a caboodle better suited to flirt Ishmael and weirdos , and he is n’t an action at law maven – and while Neo is an castaway , Keanu Reeves absolutely infer the concept ofThe Matrixand fit the Wachowskis ’ visual sensation , so much so that it ’s hard to imagine someone play a better Neo than Keanu Reeves .
Hollywood Would Be Very Different If Depp Had Played These Keanu Reeves Roles
By the timePoint Breakcame out , Johnny Depp was already wide cognise thanks to his roles inCry - BabyandEdward Scissorhands , the latter marking the beginning of his collaborations with Tim Burton and typeset the tone for the eccentric of characters he would become well known for . However , had he starred inPoint Breakand / orSpeed , and reckon these were a success , Depp would have become an military action wiz in the early 1990s , which would have surely taken his calling on a different path .
AddingThe Matrixto the mix would have impactedPirates of the Caribbeanas Depp might have made different choice and thus die onthe opportunity of play Jack Sparrow(or not been considered for it at all ) and many other now - famous Depp characters . As forKeanu Reeves , he might not be the bounteous action star he ’s now and he might not be playing John Wick at all ifJohnny Depphad admit all those roles , but give Reeves ' talent and spell , he would have still become one of the most beloved actors of his generation .
Next : Every Major Movie Role Keanu Reeves Turned Down
