Just because something seems inevitable doesn’t mean it isn’t exciting when it happens. Especially when that something involves Keanu Reeves. Last July we told you about the John Wick star’s first foray as a comic book writer, with BOOM! Studios’ series BRZRKR. It follows a “hyper-violent” 80,000-year-old warrior who “walked a blood-soaked path across the world for centuries.” Not only did that sound like a great premise for a comic book, it seemed like the perfect concept for a film starring the man who created the character. (And also looks like him.) Now, because some ideas are too good to mess up, it’s happening. Netflix has announced Reeves will star in a BRZRKR movie, one he may even direct. And he will also voice the character on a follow-up anime series.
BOOM! Studios
The streaming giant has acquired the rights to BRZRKR. The 12-issue limited comic series had a huge launch when it debuted on March 3. The first issue sold more than 615,000 copies. That was the biggest comic debut in nearly three decades. People clearly love Keanu Reeves, who developed the concept for the main character of BRZRKR. He also wrote the comic with Matt Kindt. Marvel artist Ron Garney illustrated.
Reeves will star in the BRZRKR adaptation and produce alongside BOOM! Studios’ Ross Richie and Stephen Christy. As will Company Films’ Stephen Hamel. Netflix provided an official synopsis for newcomers to the series:
BRZRKR is a brutally epic saga about an immortal warrior’s 80,000 year fight through the ages. The man known only as ‘B’ is half-mortal and half-god, cursed and compelled to violence…even at the sacrifice of his sanity. But after wandering the earth for centuries, B may have finally found a refuge—working for the U.S. government to fight the battles too violent and too dangerous for anyone else. In exchange, B will be granted the one thing he desires—the truth about his endless blood-soaked existence…and how to end it.
BOOM! Studios
Additionally, in an interview with Collider, Reeves shares he may also direct the BRZRKR movie adaptation. Though Reeves hadn’t yet read the script at the time of the interview, becoming the movie’s director had crossed his mind. He shared there was a “33%” he would direct the live-action BRZRKR. Reeves shared:
I know how it’s a lot of work, but the film that I directed, Man of Tai Chi, was born, I became the director because I was part of the writing process, and I didn’t want to hand it over. I was like, oh, okay. I have to direct this. I’m not quite there yet on ‘BRZRKR’. I have to read the script, but I’m also interested in having a collaborator and what they could bring to it.
Luckily for him, the script appears to be well on its way.
That will only be the start of the comic’s move to the screen. An anime series will follow the film. Netflix says the show “will further expand the BRZRKR universe by exploring different elements of the story.” Reeves will return to reprise his role on the animated show.
And if the film and anime series are hits, it seems all but inevitable we’ll get another live-action movie. But just because we’re sure it will happen doesn’t mean we’ll be any less excited if it does.
Featured Image: Lionsgate/BOOM! Studios
Originally published on March 22, 2021.
