Keanu Reevescould join theMarvel Cinematic Universein the future, but even though the actor has revealed his two Marvel dream roles, I believe that another character is the best fit for the star, and 2025 will see a version of that role join the franchise.Reeves has seen theJohn Wickfranchise reignite his career. I am a fan of Reeves' successful action series, and theJohn Wickmovieshave led to many fancasting the action movie star in the MCU. The actor himself would like to do it, and so would I.
Keanu Reeves has had talks with Marvel Studios. In 2019, Marvel President Kevin Feige toldComicBook.comthat the studio had been trying to get Reeves to join the MCU for a long time, saying, “We talk to him for almost every film we make.” Feige then said that Marvel and Reeves are trying to find the right way to make that happen in afuture MCU movie. Reeves has already revealed two major Marvel characters that he would love to play, but I understand why he has not been cast as either, as a third option fits him better.
Keanu Reeves Has 2 Major MCU Dream Roles
One Character Has Aready Appeared In The Franchise
Over the years, Reeves has revealed a couple of interesting Marvel roles that he would like to play:Wolverine and Ghost Rider. There are different reasons behind his desire to play each character, and I think casting such a huge name as Reeves would be in line with the high caliber of those roles. In 2020,Keanu Reeves talked about his chances of playing Wolverine. The actor revealed that Wolverine was a role that he had always wanted to play, but Reeves thought that it was too late because of Hugh Jackman’s iconic portrayal of the X-Men character.
A couple of years after having talked about his desire to play Wolverine, the John Wick actor revealed an even bigger dream role for him. In 2022,Keanu Reeves said that Ghost Rider was his childhood dream Marvel role. OnJimmy Kimmel Live!, the actor was asked about which Marvel characters he would like to play, saying,“10-year-old me would want to — I think he’d probably want to be Ghost Rider.“The last time Ghost Rider appeared in a live-action movie was in Nicolas Cage’s second solo outing as the character, back in 2011’sGhost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.
How Likely Is Keanu Reeves To Play His MCU Dream Roles?
The Two Marvel Characters Offer Very Different Odds
When it comes to Reeves' Marvel dream roles, I think the actor has a shot at Ghost Rider, but Wolverine should be a no-go. Logan is one of Marvel Comics' most popular characters, and with Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of Wolverine in live-action, the character has become the face of the X-Men for many.Casting any actor to replace Jackman would be a hard call, but eventually, a younger star will likely do it for theMCU’s X-Men reboot, and the 60-year-old Reeves does not fit that description. Adding to that, Jackman could stick around.
10 X-Men Characters Keanu Reeves Could Play In The MCU Instead Of Wolverine
Now that Hugh Jackman is back, there are plenty of other X-Men characters Keanu Reeves could play instead of Wolverine — his favorite — in the MCU.
I really thought that Jackman was done with the Marvel character after the beautiful send-off that was 2017’sLogan. However, he returned and joined the MCU this year withDeadpool & Wolverine. The movie has become one of Marvel Studios' biggest hits, withDeadpool & Wolverine’s worldwide box office total at $1.3 billion, making it the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time. Based on the movie’s success, how Jackman loved coming back and makingDeadpool & Wolverine, and the fans asking for the actor to stay as Wolverine, I believe that Jackman could play Logan even afterAvengers: Secret Wars.
With projects likeWerewolf by NightandAgatha All Along, I think the MCU will delve deeper into its supernatural corner after the Multiverse Saga concludes.
On the other hand, Reeves' casting as the MCU’s Ghost Rider could still happen.Deadpool & Wolverinealmost brought back Nicolas Cage as Ghost Rider, with concept art of the character alongside the movie’s heroes being made, but that idea was abandoned. With projects likeWerewolf by NightandAgatha All Along, I think the MCU will delve deeper into its supernatural corner after the Multiverse Saga concludes, and Ghost Rider’s MCU debut could be a huge part of that. However,fan-favorite actors Ryan Gosling and Norman Reedus also want to play Ghost Rider, which gives Reeves fierce competition.
I Believe Keanu Reeves Is Better Suited For Silver Surfer Than His Marvel Dream Roles
The Actor’s Style Suits The Cosmic Character
While I can see how Reeves could be good as Wolverine or Ghost Rider, I’m convinced that Silver Surfer is a better fit for the actor than his Marvel dream roles.Reeves has experience playing Stoic characters like Norrin Radd, with roles in movies likeSpeed,Constantine, and theMatrixfranchise showing different shades of Reeves' signature style. That demeanor is also a huge factor in Reeves' successful career shift, as the actor’s action-packedJohn Wickmovies thrive on his character becoming a mysterious and shadowy figure that sparks fear in others, aided by his style of not emoting much.
Duke Caboom
Toy Story 4
That style makes him perfect for Silver Surfer, a character with a tragic past who is famously known for his emotionless tone. Reeves also has experience in another very important aspect.Silver Surfer’s voice needs to be just right, which 2007’sFantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surferunderstood, as it cast Doug Jones as the character’s physical actor, while Reeves’Matrixco-star Laurence Fishburne provided Silver Surfer’s voice. Reeves has some major voice roles under his belt, and his performances as Batman and what I have seen fromSonic 3’s Shadow show his stern voice fits Silver Surfer.
The MCU Has Cast Silver Surfer But I Know How Keanu Reeves Could Still Play The Character
The MCU Is Using A Version Of The Cosmic Character
Like one of Keanu Reeves' dream Marvel roles, Wolverine, the MCU already has plans for Silver Surfer. Marvel has already cast the character, withOzark’s Julia Garner set to play Silver Surfer next year inThe Fantastic Four: First Steps. However, Reeves could still play the character despite Silver Surfer’s upcoming 2025 MCU debut. Garner is playing a different version of the character, with the actress bringing to the MCU the Shalla-Bal Silver Surfer. The female version of Silver Surfer will likely come from a different universe, as the MCU’s Fantastic Four do not hail from Earth-616.
Galactus and Silver Surfer already appeared in a Fantastic Four movie together before their MCU debut, having made their live-action debut in 2007’sFantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.
That leaves the door open for Reeves to play the classic Silver Surfer, Norrin Radd. While I don’t believe that Norrin Radd will appear in the Fantastic Four reboot, there are still plenty of projects for Reeves to show up as him. As the Fantastic Four need to come to the MCU’s main Earth, perhaps Galactus could follow the team, only for Shalla-Bal to be left behind. In a different universe, he takes a new herald, with Reeves as Norrin Radd being the pick. With Marvel wanting the actor in the MCU, I hopeKeanu Reevesjoins the franchise soon.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Cast
The Fantastic 4: First Steps features Marvel’s First Family navigating their dual roles as superheroes and family members in a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world. They defend Earth from a formidable space god, Galactus, and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer, testing their familial bonds and heroic resolve.
