Keanu Reeves’ Reason for Turning Down ‘Platoon’ Explained

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In the world of Hollywood, decisions can shape or break a career. Keanu action hero, making it hard to imagine Keanu most brutal and visually stunning fight scenes ever filmed. If Keanu had accepted Oliver Stone’s offer for Platoon explodes like a watermelon. However, if Keanu Reeves turn down Platoon? The reason he gave was that he didn’t want to be associated with violence, as his role was a soldier in the movie. Yet, it seems ironic considering his iconic roles are in violent R-rated films.

Hollywood can be a ruthless environment that often leaves talented performers feeling disheartened due to a lack of opportunities. However, some actors have managed to bypass these challenges, with Keanu Reeves being one such example. He has dabbled in various genres, from comedy to science-fiction and action. The celebrated Canadian actor began his career on the television series ‘Hangin’ In’, before making his Hollywood debut with ‘Youngblood’. It was in 1989 that Reeves landed his breakthrough role in the science-fiction comedy ‘Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure’. The 90’s were particularly fruitful for the actor, as he featured in numerous big-budget films like ‘Point Break’, ‘The Devil’s Advocate’, and ‘The Matrix’.

To put it simply, combining the names of Constantine and John Wick gives us a highly accomplished actor with an impressive Hollywood resume. It’s worth noting that Reeves’ career could have been even more stellar if he hadn’t declined some legendary roles. Keanu Reeves famously turned down Michael Mann’s offer to star in Heat, as he was engrossed in playing Prince Hamlet on Broadway. Similarly, he declined Oliver Stone’s offer for Platoon, citing the script’s excessive violent content.

‘Platoon’ Reminds Us That War Is No Picnic

In a typical anti-war film, “Platoon” presents a grim depiction of war and the unattractive side of combat valor. The narrative circles around Chris Taylor, a young U.S. Army volunteer, eager to defend his country. Enthused by the prospect, he enlists for the Vietnam War without hesitation, anticipating an exhilarating experience on the battlefield.

In Taylor’s case, he belongs to an infantry unit of the 25th Infantry Division situated close to the Cambodian border. However, when things start getting intense, he comes to appreciate life more back home with Momma. What makes matters worse is that there seems to be a minor insurrection brewing within their camp, sparked by Staff Sergeant Barnes’ proposal to massacre villagers. Some soldiers appear to support this notion, while others question whether their comrades have left their moral compasses behind at home.

Initially, Keanu Reeves was intended for the role of Chris Taylor, but he chose not to accept it. Consequently, Charlie Sheen ended up being cast instead. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Oliver Stone, who modeled the film on his own experiences as a U.S. infantry soldier in Vietnam, discussed Reeves’ decision.

““Keanu turned it down because of the violence. He didn’t want to do violence.”

Nonetheless, Stone is happy that he made the right casting choice. About Charlie Sheen, he said:

Charlie appeared astonished and 17 years old when he first auditioned for the film back in ’84, during our initial production phase. Over the subsequent two years, he matured significantly, maintaining an expression of wide-eyed wonder and a hint of privilege. In my opinion, he delivered an outstanding performance. He was an ideal fit for the movie as he effectively portrayed the terror of the location. I admire his acting skills.

If Oliver Stone’s original concept had been realized, the movie would have taken a completely different shape. As early as 1968, just a few months after Stone returned from his military service in Vietnam, the foundation for the story was laid. The script was intended to be complemented by The Doors’ music, and Stone even sent a copy to Jim Morrison, the lead singer of The Doors, hoping to persuade him to take on the lead role. Given Frank Sinatra’s influence in making it fashionable for musicians to act, it seemed like a viable idea.

Regrettably, Morrison didn’t respond. However, his manager sent the script back to Stone not long after the singer passed away, following Morrison’s demise in Paris. It is said that Morrison had the script with him at the time of his death.

Keanu Reeves’ Reason for Turning Down Platoon Doesn’t Make Sense

Keanu Reeves’ decision to pass on Platoon seems puzzling given that the majority of his famous roles are in graphic, R-rated films. However, he made a start as an innocent teenager in ‘Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure’, but the rest of his work isn’t geared towards the faint-hearted. Most of his roles aren’t suitable for those who shy away from violence. This includes ‘Point Break’, ‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula’, ‘Speed’, and ‘The Matrix’. Additionally, ‘The Devil’s Advocate’ is a chilling film.

Among other notable series, the John Wick film collection stands out as a key highlight. As ScreenRant reports, the main character, John Wick, is known for an astonishing number of kills – a total of 439 across all four movies. This is one of the highest kill counts attributed to a single character in cinema history, making it unlikely that he would maintain friendships with characters like Batman who adhere to a non-lethal code. Furthermore, the franchise boasts some of the most extraordinary action movie deaths ever depicted, including a scene where Wick punches an adversary so forcefully that his neck breaks upon impact.

Keanu Reeves initially declined the role in “Platoon” because the film is more violent than his other projects. In “Platoon”, 277 people die, which is significantly more than the number of people killed throughout the four “John Wick” movies combined. After starring in “Bill & Ted”, Keanu Reeves may have believed he would always be known for comedy roles. However, he should have taken Oliver Stone’s war thriller into consideration because it doesn’t glorify violence like “John Wick”. Instead, “Platoon” is a powerful depiction of injustices and wartime brutality, making it a more impactful film.

Things Worked Out Well For Everyone in the End

Eventually, everything turned out favorably for everyone. Although Oliver Stone missed out on Reeves’ talents, he still produced a golden film. He combined semi-biography and fiction in an unusually personal movie, which had a perspective-shifting tone reminiscent of Coppola’s Apocalypse Now, but managed to convey a unique and hopeful anti-conflict message. Initially rejected by experts and critics who disliked the director’s harsh view of war and his progressive stance on race relations, Platoon became a massive success.

Despite being made on a relatively small budget of $6 million, the movie proved to be an impressive box office hit, earning an astonishing $138 million. Furthermore, it garnered eight nominations at the 59th Academy Awards, ultimately taking home four awards: Best Picture, Best Sound, Best Director for Stone, and Best Film Editing.

Charlie Sheen’s career skyrocketed following his role as Chris. He then starred in films such as “Wall Street” (directed by Stone) and “The Three Musketeers”, before achieving even more fame on television. By 2010, he had become the highest-paid actor on television, earning $1.8 million per episode for his sitcom role in “Two and a Half Men.

Reflecting on the past, I found myself questioning my path as an actor during the 2000s. The roles that once came my way in the ’90s seemed to dwindle, and I couldn’t help but wonder what might have been if I had accepted that offer from Stone. Fortunately, the tide turned for me in the 2010s with the rise of the John Wick franchise – a series that breathed new life into my career. If I had adhered to my long-held principle of avoiding violent films, things could have taken a different course. This experience serves as a reminder about the importance of being open-minded and willing to explore opportunities beyond our comfort zones.

Platoon
is available to stream in the US on MGM+, Tubi, and Pluto

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2024-11-23 04:32