Keanu Reeves Takes Over Netflix Action Film After Ritchson Exit

WHO:

Variety - Keanu Reeves is set to star in the Netflix action movie *Maelstrom*.

Variety - Alan Ritchson, identified as an actor in *Reacher*, dropped out of the project.

Variety - Jaume Collet-Serra, filmmaker of *Carry-On*, is directing *Maelstrom*.

Reddit Movies - The post was submitted by Reddit user /u/MarvelsGrantMan136.

WHAT:

Coming Soon - *Maelstrom* was first pitched as a script more than three decades ago.

Collider - *Maelstrom* is described as a hurricane-set action thriller.

Collider - The film is described as a “Die Hard”-style action movie.

Variety - Reeves is set to take over the lead role in *Maelstrom* after Ritchson exited the project.

Variety - *Maelstrom* is a Netflix action movie.

Variety - The film’s plot centers on a federal marshal guarding the fiancée of an arms dealer.

Variety - The fiancée is seeking witness protection and preparing to testify against someone; the article excerpt does not identify that person.

WHERE:

Variety - *Maelstrom* is a Netflix production; the excerpt does not specify a filming location.

WHY:

Variety - Ritchson’s departure prompted Reeves’ casting in the lead role.

HOW:

Coming Soon - The report about Reeves taking the lead role cites Page Six Hollywood.

(UPDATED October 26, 2026 23:10 UTC)

Keanu Reeves is taking over the lead role in Netflix’s action thriller *Maelstrom* after Alan Ritchson dropped out, with Jaume Collet-Serra directing. Set during a hurricane, the film follows a federal marshal protecting an arms dealer’s fiancée as she enters witness protection and prepares to testify. The project was first pitched as a script more than three decades ago and has been described as a “Die Hard”-style action movie.

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(UPDATED October 26, 2026 18:02 UTC)

Keanu Reeves is set to take the lead in Netflix’s action thriller *Maelstrom* after Alan Ritchson left the project. The hurricane-set film is described as a “Die Hard”-style story about a federal marshal protecting an arms dealer’s fiancée as she seeks witness protection and prepares to testify. Jaume Collet-Serra, who directed *Carry-On*, is directing the film.

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(UPDATED October 26, 2026 17:09 UTC)

Keanu Reeves is taking over the lead role in Netflix’s action movie *Maelstrom* after *Reacher* actor Alan Ritchson dropped out. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, whose credits include *Carry-On*, the film follows a federal marshal assigned to guard an arms dealer’s fiancée. She is seeking witness protection and preparing to testify against someone.