Netflix has officially announced that it has signed international star Keanu Reeves to lead the highly anticipated thriller and action film Maelstrom. The star of The Matrix and John Wick franchises was chosen to lead the major project in place of actor Alan Ritchson, who recently withdrew from the role due to other professional commitments.
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The story of Maelstrom
Maelstrom unfolds over one terrifying night filled with suspense and intense action. Reeves plays a federal marshal assigned to a dangerous mission to protect the fiancée of a powerful arms dealer after she enters a witness protection programme in preparation to testify against him.
Events take a turn when a devastating hurricane strikes the area, cutting off all communication with the outside world and preventing security reinforcements from arriving. Reeves is forced into a fierce, two-front battle: first, against a wave of gunmen working for the arms dealer who storm the location to eliminate the witness, and second, against the violent natural disaster trapping them inside.
The team behind Maelstrom
Spanish director Jaume Collet-Serra is set to direct the film. He has an extensive track record of successful action films and recently directed Netflix’s Carry-On. The screenplay was developed by writer Mark Bianculli, who finalised the first draft originally written by the late Gregory Fitzpatrick.
Production is being overseen by Jeff Robinov, the former head of Warner Bros.’ film division.
An old script returns to the spotlight
The screenplay for Maelstrom originally dates back to the 1990s, specifically 1993, when it was sold to Warner Bros. as a promising script. At the time, the project was being considered as a potential vehicle for major action stars of the era, including Sylvester Stallone, Steven Seagal and Clint Eastwood, with Renny Harlin considered as a possible director.
More than 30 years after it was written, Netflix has succeeded in reviving the script and updating it to suit Keanu Reeves’ physical capabilities and on-screen presence.
