Keanu Reeves nearly appeared in 'Fast X,' according to actor Alan Ritchson
- "Fast X" star Alan Ritchson said that Keanu Reeves was originally eyed for his role.
- He told Entertainment Weekly that he took over as Aimes after "things had shifted in the plans."
Keanu Reeves was very nearly part of the "Fast & Furious" universe, according to "Fast X" star Alan Ritchson.
Ritchson made his debut in the latest installment of the blockbuster franchise as Aimes, the new leader of the Agency, an organization hunting down Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his allies.
In a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, the "Titans" actor said that he took over the role from Reeves, who was originally eyed to play the antagonist.
"It was just a little stroke of luck and good timing," Ritchson said.
"I was working on a movie with Hilary Swank up in Winnipeg in the freezing cold, and I got a call that things had shifted in the plans with Keanu Reeves, which is I think who was originally intended to play my part. Tough act to follow."
Representatives for Reeves and Universal Pictures did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Ritchson also explained that he thought he had missed his window for the role when he received a call last year regarding director Justin Lin's departure from "Fast X." French director Louis Leterrier replaced Lin as director.
"I got another call while I was filming from Jeff Kirschenbaum, who produces 'Fast,' and he sounded real low," the actor said. "I was like, 'Oh, God. Whatever you've got to say, just say it. I can take it. I'm a big boy.' He goes, 'You're not going to be working with Justin on this.'"
Ritchson continued: "I was like, 'Okay ... am I still in the movie?' He was like, 'Yeah, of course. We're excited to work with you, but we've decided to go our separate ways with Justin.' I was like, 'Okay, you can just say that next time!' So I'm very grateful that it worked out."
This is the second time Reeves has been approached for a role in the "Fast & Furious" franchise.
Ahead of the 2019 spinoff "Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw," Reeves was also considered to play a villain in that movie.
Director David Leitch later told The Hollywood Reporter that he spoke to Reeves about playing the director of Eteon, a secret terrorist organization, but he didn't want it to be seen as a stunt casting.
"I also wanted to make sure that it was enough — a real promise for something legitimate in the future — and wasn't just a stunt casting role," Leitch said. "We started to populate the movie with all these other personalities, and I just didn't really think that we needed it, although I would've loved it."
The "Fast" franchise is famous for casting several big names in supporting roles or small cameos such as Dwayne Johnson, Brie Larson, Helen Mirren, and Ryan Reynolds.
"Fast X" is in theaters now.