Keanu Reeves has the ability to play some amazing characters in the new DC Universe. Reeves is no stranger to franchises, with the actor leading one of the most iconic franchises in movie history — The Matrix. In recent years, Reeves has been living a new chapter in his career, with the actor becoming one of the most popular action stars in Hollywood once again thanks to the success of the John Wick films, which are some of the best movies in Reeves’ career.
The actor has a history with DC. Reeves played John Constantine in 2005’s Constantine, with the star set to return for a sequel after almost two decades since the film’s release. While Constantine is his only live-action DC role, the actor voiced Batman in the animated DC League of Super-Pets film. Despite being fancast as several DC characters over the years, Reeves was never part of the DCEU, but James Gunn’s DC Universe could rectify that mistake, with Reeves being a great fit for a few characters.
How Keanu Reeves Could Still Play His Dream DC Movie Role (& Why It Would Be Perfect)
Keanu Reeves has revealed his dream DC role, and there is a way for the actor to bring that wish to life in a future project, thanks to a key element.10Swamp Thing
The Dark Supernatural Character Is Up His Alley
After having played John Constantine, albeit a version of the character removed from the greater DC universe, Reeves would be a great choice for a confirmed DCU character. A Swamp Thing movie has been announced to be in the works for the DCU’s Chapter One. The project could be one of the best offerings DC has put out in live-action, as Logan director James Mangold will be helming the DC film. There is no actor attached to play Swamp Thing for the moment.
Like John Constantine, Swamp Thing is an important player in DC Comics’ supernatural corner. As the Avatar of the Green, Swamp Thing holds a connection to all plant life in the DC universe. Reeves would be a great fit for the character, with Swamp Thing having a tragic backstory — and overall dark history — that Reeves could excel at bringing to life.
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Reeves as The Question would be intriguing. The character is not one of DC’s most well-known; however, as James Gunn was responsible for making the Guardians of the Galaxy household names for Marvel after their MCU debut, more obscure characters could be spotlighted by the DCU. That has already started to happen with the Creature Commandos, Booster Gold, and more getting projects. The Question would be perfect for the DCU, bringing some flair to the franchise’s street-level corner.
Reeves’ action movie history guarantees that he would be able to show off The Question’s fighting skills. Vic Sage, aka The Question, is a detective who is often seen as paranoid by others. It would be exciting to see Reeves play that kind of role, which comes with less of a straight face than his usual action fare.
8John Constantine
Reeves has had one live-action DC role so far: John Constantine. The actor’s 2005 outing as the demonologist was removed from the DC canon, going from the character’s usual magic stories to a more religious approach. After keeping up hope that he would get to play John Constantine again for years without an answer, Reeves is set to finally return as the character. Constantine 2 is in development at DC Studios. However, the movie will not be part of the DCU.
Constantine 2 is an Elseworlds project, which means it exists outside the DCU canon. While that might be true, Constantine 2 doing well at the box office, allied to Reeves’ career resurgence, could lead to the star playing a comic book-accurate John Cosntantine in the DCU. Reeves’ Hellblazer could be the head of the Justice League Dark, playing a major role in the franchise.
7Deathstroke
The Role Would Fit His Age & Experience
Keanu Reeves would be pitch-perfect for the DC Universe’s Deathstroke. The character previously had an unlucky history in the DCEU. Joe Manganiello debuted as Slade Wilson in Justice League‘s post-credits scene. However, a role in director Zack Snyder’s version of Justice League aside, Deathstroke never appeared in another movie. The villain was supposed to go up against Ben Affleck’s Batman in his canceled solo film, with Deathstroke also being among the early plans for Gunn’s The Suicide Squad, though that did not happen as well.
At 59, Reeves is at the perfect age to play Slade Wilson. The actor has excelled in plenty of roles that show he would bring Deathstroke’s martial arts expertise and marksman skills to life perfectly. Reeves also has the acting skills to add some much-needed nuance to the villain, with Deathstroke’s DCU debut possibly coming in the reported Teen Titans movie.
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The Actor Wants To Play Batman In Live-Action
Reeves has already played Batman before. The actor showed that he has the perfect deep voice for the Dark Knight in DC League of Super-Pets. While that movie was light-hearted, Reeves’ past roles show he would be a great fit for Batman’s dark stories in Gotham City for the DCU. Adding to that, Reeves’ dream DC movie role is to play Batman. While the actor would love to play Bruce Wayne in live-action, Reeves recognizes that he is likely too old for it.
That is where Thomas Wayne comes in. The DCEU’s The Flash adapted a version of the Flashpoint story from DC Comics; however, Bruce’s dad, Thomas, was not Batman, with Michael Keaton’s Bruce Wayne appearing instead. Thomas Wayne’s Batman offers a well of untapped potential for a live-action adaptation, and Reeves would be perfect for the gun-toting, violent older Batman in a multiverse movie.
5Deadshot
DC Needs Another Popular Deadshot
Reeves’ action movie experience showcases what a threat he is with a gun. The John Wick films have featured the star in a wide breadth of action sequences that explore creative new ways of bringing engaging close-quarters combat to life. As John Wick, Reeves has been part of some intense action sequences involving a variety of guns, and the actor has become extremely popular due to how well he performed in those scenes.
Reeves might just be who DC needs for Deadshot. Will Smith played the character in 2016’s Suicide Squad, with the actor’s performance in the role being one of the best aspects of the film. However, as Smith could not return for 2021’s The Suicide Squad and the DCU is only bringing back a few DCEU actors, he is not expected to return, opening the door for another fan-favorite Deadshot played by Reeves.
4Rorschach
The Last Watchmen Adaptation Was A Success
Watchmen is one of the most iconic comic book titles. While the series was not originally part of the DC universe, that has changed in recent years. Characters like Batman and Superman have interacted with Watchmen players such as Doctor Manhattan and Rorschach in DC Comics’ “Doomsday Clock.” Jackie Earle Haley did a great job as Rorschach in Zack Snyder’s Watchmen movie, showing how much potential as a symbol and a fighter Rorschach could have in the DCU if Watchmen crosses over.
2019’s Watchmen limited series showed how a sequel version of that story could be done well. That would likely be the move for the DCU if it chooses to integrate the comic book story. Reeves would be perfect for such a violent character rooted in a dark backstory, with the second Rorschach in the comics — Reggie Long — being more unpredictable than the first.
3Ra’s al Ghul
The Actor Could Still Be Part Of Batman’s World
Keanu Reeves’ dream of playing Batman in live-action happening might be difficult. However, the veteran actor could still be part of the Dark Knight’s story in the future. The DCU’s The Brave and the Bold movie will reboot Batman for the new DC Universe. Ben Affleck is out as Bruce Wayne, with a new actor set to be cast for the project. While multiple names have been rumored for the role, casting will only start when a script is ready.
Reeves could join The Brave and the Bold as Ra’s al Ghul. While the character has yet to be confirmed for the film, the reveal that the Batman reboot will include Damian Wayne’s live-action debut surely points that way. Reeves has the gravitas needed for such a role, with the actor being able to display the intelligence, confidence, and power Ra’s al Ghul is known for.
2Doctor Fate
Reeves Could Join A Major Superhero Team
Perhaps the best superhero role for Reeves in the new DC Universe would be that of Doctor Fate. The character made an appearance late in the DCEU’s life, with Pierce Brosnan playing Doctor Fate in 2022’s Black Adam. While that movie was not among DC’s best, Brosnan’s take on the character emerged as one of the most exciting aspects of the film.
If Brosnan does not come back to play Doctor Fate in the new DCU, then Reeves would be a fantastic pick for the role. The actor could pull off a compassionate, seasoned hero who has seen it all, mentoring a younger generation of characters. Reeves is the kind of star that can anchor a franchise, and his Doctor Fate could be front and center of the DCU’s Justice Society of America, sharing the spotlight with the new Justice League.
1Vandal Savage
The DCU Could Win With A Meta Casting
Finally, one of the most exciting DC roles Reeves could play would be that of Vandal Savage. The DC villain is immortal, which means he has seen every little fantastical event in DC’s life happen in real-time. With constant jokes about Reeves never aging, this would be a nice bit of meta casting; however, there are more tangible reasons why Reeves would be perfect as the DCU’s Vandal Savage. For starters, he will already play a character based on a similar concept.
Reeves co-created the comic book BRZRKR. The story follows an immortal warrior, Berzerker, in an 80,000-year-fight. Reeves will play his creation in a planned live-action movie for Netflix. As Keanu Reeves has usually given life to heroes, it would be interesting to see the actor bring his action expertise to a villain like Vandal Savage in the DCU.
