Keanu Reeves Takes Over Lead In Netflix Actioner ‘Maelstrom’ From Alan Ritchson

Keanu Reeves is set to star in the Netflix action film Maelstrom, directed by Jaume Collet-Serra. Reeves takes over the lead role from Alan Ritchson, who exited the project for undisclosed reasons, according to Deadline. Variety reports that Ritchson is known for his role in Reacher, while TheWrap notes he recently led Netflix’s War Machine.

The plot centers on a Federal Marshal tasked with protecting a woman from a powerful crime boss. Variety describes the character as the fiancée of an arms dealer seeking witness protection before she testifies. TheWrap adds that the crime boss hunts the pair just as a hurricane hits.

The project was originally sold to Warner Bros. in 1993 during the spec script boom. At that time, the script was described as "Die Hard" during a hurricane, with Renny Harlin eyed to direct. TheWrap reports that Netflix executive Ori Marmur is behind the resurrection of the film.

Brief written by urgent.news from Deadline, TheWrap, Variety — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.