A question of time. Weeks after Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock said they wanted to film together again “before they die,” 20th Century Studios head Steve Asbell revealed to Hollywood Reporter that a third installment of “Speed” could be in the works with the star duo.
“Hollywood is pretty brave. We are quite brave. We are sitting by the telephone. This is one of the last films that we have not yet brought up to date. To justify a return, it would take a brilliant idea that excites [Sandra Bullock et Keanu Reeves]because that would be the reason why we should see it,” explained the president of the studio.
“It’s obviously a very important title for us, but it’s not something we would take lightly or try to impose. They should participate in the development of this idea,” he added.
A resounding failure for the second opus
While reuniting with Keanu Reeves for the 30th anniversary screening of 1994’s “Speed,” the actress joked that a new sequel would be a “geriatric version.” “It won’t be quick. I don’t know if the industry is ready to tolerate it or have the courage to do it. Maybe I’m wrong. I don’t know if what we have to offer lives up to the public’s expectations,” she confided.
The action film, which features a young police officer confronted by a former explosives expert threatening to detonate a booby-trapped bus, grossed more than $350 million at the international box office. It also won two Academy Awards, including Best Sound Editing.
However, Keanu Reeves declined to reprise his role as Jack Traven in the 1997 sequel Speed 2 due to problems with the script. Jason Patric replaced him in this second opus which was a failure at the box office, sometimes described as “one of the worst sequels ever made”.
In the “50 MPH” podcast, Keanu Reeves said he was now willing to reunite with his former co-star on screen after their last collaboration for “Between Two Shores” in 2006. “It sounds like the song of a siren, as if there was something left to do. I would love to work with you again before our eyes close,” said the actor.
