The rumour mill says Keanu Reeves is attempting to toss off that “wooden” label he tends to get in reviews and go the complete opposite way – the Zany comedy stylings of Plastic Man! And who better to take on the stretchy superhero but the Wachowskis!!
Ballack further claims that Silver says that Keanu Reeves will be playing Eels O’Brien (the real name of Plastic Man). Apparently this is the start of a new love period between Reeves and the Wachowskis, as Silver (via Ballack) said that the brothers want to work with him on all their future projects.
Granted it is hard to deny the success the Wachowskis had with Keanu in the Matrix. So instinct says Reeves and Wachowski = Guaranteed Success! But frankly I am so over the Wachowskis. I had hopes for them when I saw some of the early Speed Racer stuff. I even defended its stylized look. Wachowskis bury themselves in the over-stylized all the time and come up smelling like roses.
But I am getting a good whiff now and realizing that they peaked with the Matrix (I despise the sequels) and had a moment of clarity with V for Vendetta. Now Ninja Assassin might prove me wrong but I have yet to see anything from it to even begin to form anticipation (aside from droves of Asian cinema fans insisting I will love Rain – who is unproven on US film)
But we are already off to a shaky start. Plastic Man has the potential for some serious wackiness, but we have already seen the stretchy man effects on screen with Mr Fantastic in Fantastic Four so that loses its wow factor right there. And Keanu is no stranger to superheroes, but we haven’t seen him in a comedic role since… Bill and Ted??
I don’t know. I dare say this might be a “stretch” for Keanu, and if the rumours are true, it could be the stinker that tips the scale for the Wachowskis and their already shaky reputation.
I think Jim Carrey would make great a Plastic Man.
sinse these guys love reeves so much- a crazy thought just came to my head..
could you imagine if they chose HIM to be speedracer? idk just came to mind (that would have sucked)
Forgive me for asking about the bottom line here but…….who the hell is going to pay for a Plastic Man movie after ‘Speed Racer’ (which i actually enjoyed, warts and all)?
Considering the Wachowskis are only 1 for 3 on the Movies-They-Made-With-Keanu-Reeves-That-Didn’t-Suck Scale, I am not holding out any hopes whatsoever.
I thought Keanu plays Plastic Man in every movie…….
Plastic Man? Surely Keanu would be better suited playing a superhero called Mr Wooden.
Wooden Acting, Wooden Dialogue and incapable of self thought. Matrix Reloaded was full of Reeves asking “Why, how,where,who,what and when”.
How does this man still get work?
When’s the next Bill & Ted: We Should be dead sequel coming out?
Reed CAN change into everyday objects with his power, he is simply too much of the straight man to bother. He is a practical form meets function hero. Too much brain.
And I don’t challenge the comedy of Plastic Man, he was always the funny one in the comics and even the show (Baby Plas was a bad idea) I was just wondering about Keanu in the role.
As you suggested, there are other witty guys in the biz that would take this to the bank. Stiller would be spot on, or even the orginal rubberface, Jim Carrey.
While the Wachowskis script for ‘Plastic Man’ has been around for quite some time, I **strongly** disagree with you here Rodney, on many levels.
* The Fantastic Four.
While Plastic Man and Reed Richards have like powers, can Reed Richards shape himself into everyday objects? This is one of the major strengths of the character-stealth.
* The comedy factor.
It is well established that in the comics (and 80’s cartoon, until the powers that be blasphemed and toned down the “dating” jokes, brought in that abomination Baby Plas ) featuring the character, there has always been either dark humor, satire, and puns. In keeping with this time, the film never has to take itself seriously. They can even poke fun at Plastic Man’s costume, which considering the look of it in a live action context, is almost a given. (Expect occasional Adam Sandler/Mike Myers-like jokes regarding bodily functions and/or questions of possible asexual appearances)
I wouldn’t mind Keanu in the part. However, I’d much rather lobby for Ben Stiller, who could go to town with something like this.
I have no idea who Plastic Man is, but I’m intrigued by Keanu Reeves going back to his Bill and Ted roots. And frankly, I love anything over-stylized, so bring it on.
A Plastic Man movie would be a step back for comic book characters all over the world.
No hate. Just that he is always the same dry tuffass tortured emo boy in everything he does. And he delivers likes like Home Depot. All wood.
Didn’t say I didn’t like him. When he does his thing, its good. But it seems to be his only thing. Maybe he is tired of it too.
I like it. Despite everyones unjustified hatred towards the guy, his deadpan “acting” does make him fun/funny and his look would work as Plastic Man. The real trick is casting Hula-Hula.