F
Canadian actor Keanu Reeves has become an international icon over the decades since beginning his Hollywood career. The actor was able to garner attention with his on-screen charisma and continues to do so with his portrayal in the sci-fi franchise, The Matrix, and the popular action franchise, John Wick. With a huge fan following and incredible performances, he has established himself among some of the most successful and highly-paid stars in the industry.
And the reports suggest that Reeves made a great deal for a cut of a film’s gross profits, which allowed him to get the largest paycheck ever received for a single movie to date.
Keanu Reeves Got $126 Million For The Matrix Reloaded
Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski’s The Matrix has become one of the most successful franchises. Featuring Keanu Reeves in the lead role, the film is based in a dystopian future, with humanity unknowingly trapped inside a matrix. After releasing four films under the franchise, it has grossed over $1 billion worldwide.
Keanu Reeves in The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
With the increasing popularity of the franchise and its box office collection, the payment for its stars also increased with every film. The lead star of the film made a deal to get a cut from the film’s gross profit and received a total of $56 million from the film, including a salary of $10 million.
Followed by the huge success of the 1999 film, the makers released a sequel and then a threequel back to back in 2003. The John Wick star was set to receive a paycheck of $15 million for both films, along with the 15% of the films’ gross profit. The Matrix Reloaded grossed over $700 million at the box office.
The Matrix Revolutions (2003)
The Constantine star received roughly $126 million for The Matrix sequel and $80 million for the threequel. His paycheck of $126 million has made his character in the franchise, Thomas Anderson, aka Neo, one of the highest-paid movie roles in Hollywood.
Keanu Reeves Was Asked to Change His Name
Before the release of The Matrix Resurrections, Keanu Reeves shared that he was asked to take a stage name during the initial stages of his career. In an interview with Good Morning America, he shared that he wanted to be a Hollywood star. “So, I’m 20 years old, I’m in my first car, I wanted to be in movies,” he said before adding, “And I get there, and they’re like, ‘we wanna change your name.’”
Actor Keanu Reeves
When he questioned why they wanted to change his name, they said that his name was “a little too exotic.” He said that he wanted to make a good impression, so he considered some other names as well. The Point Break star shared that he almost adapted “Chuck Spadina” as his stage name for his Hollywood career.
The Matrix franchise is available on HBO Max.
Source: Vocal Media
