Keanu Reeves will lead Netflix’s upcoming action thriller Maelstrom after Alan Ritchson exited the project, bringing a new cast lead to a film that has been in development since 1993.
Director Jaume Collet-Serra, known for the action thriller Carry-On, will helm the film. Screenwriter Mark Bianculli is revising the screenplay, which originated with a draft by the late Gregory Fitzpatrick.
A Deadly Mission Amid a Hurricane
Maelstrom follows a federal marshal assigned to protect the fiancée of an arms dealer who plans to enter witness protection and testify against him.
The mission takes a dangerous turn when a hurricane cuts off communication with the outside world and prevents reinforcements from reaching them. The marshal and his protectee must defend themselves against the arms dealer’s men while battling the storm.
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The reason behind Ritchson’s departure has not been publicly established, according to reports. Page Six first reported Reeves’ casting.
A Hollywood Project Three Decades in the Making
The film has a long history in Hollywood. Producer Jeff Robinov sold the original spec script to Warner Bros. in 1993, when he was working as a talent agent.
At the time, Variety described the concept as resembling Die Hard during a hurricane. Reports put the original screenplay sale at between $225,000 and $625,000.
Robinov, a former president of Warner Bros. Pictures, is now bringing the project to Netflix under a new deal. Maelstrom will serve as the first film under that arrangement.
Reeves Continues His Action Career
Reeves has established himself as a major action star through franchises such as The Matrix and John Wick. His upcoming projects also include reprising his voice role as Shadow in Sonic the Hedgehog 4, scheduled for release in 2027.
Netflix has not announced a release date for Maelstrom. Further production details and the rest of the cast have also not been confirmed in the report.
