Tom Cruise and Keanu Reeves Were on Dwayne Johnson’s Wishlist to Appear in the ‘Red Notice’ Franchise
Netflix’s film Red Notice, starring Ryan Reynolds, Dwayne Johnson, and Gal Gadot, is the streaming service’s most successful film to date. However, the actors who appeared in the movie were not the only stars considered for the film. Here’s what you need to know about this fan-favorite flick and the franchise that’s forthcoming.
What is ‘Red Notice’ about?
A red notice is an alert assigned by Interpol for the most wanted international criminals. In the movie, Johnson, an Interpol agent, is in hot pursuit of Reynolds’s character, who has a red notice attached to him, as well as another international criminal played by Gal Gadot. The three play hide and seek throughout the movie. Naturally, there is a surprise twist at the end.
Universal originally planned to distribute the picture. However, the studio balked at the expense. It reportedly cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Netflix promptly took up Red Notice after Universal declined to make the film. Reynolds joined the cast when Netflix picked it up. Another big-name actor was slated to appear but it didn’t work out in the end.
Tom Cruise was set to make a cameo in ‘Red Notice’
According to the Illuminerdi, Tom Cruise was set to make a cameo in the film but backed out due to his pickiness in the roles he takes. Another factor: The budget shrunk after paying $20 million each to Reynolds, Gadot, and Johnson for the movie.
Even though Cruise would only make a cameo, it’s presumed that this would set up his character for an appearance in the sequel. Netflix plans to make a franchise built around the characters introduced in the first movie.
Director Rawson Marshall Thurber has said that a sequel to the first Red Notice is a real possibility — with the condition that a third would be shot immediately following the sequel. Cruise was one of Johnson’s top picks for the franchise. However, he has another star in mind for the sequel.
Keanu Reeves may join the star-studded cast of ‘Red Notice’
As reported by We Got This Covered, Keanu Reeves is one of Johnson’s top picks for the sequel. Since Reeves is currently working on his fourth installment of John Wick and The Matrix, if he accepts the role, this will presumably take place after those commitments. Johnson tried to involve Reeves in his recent film Hobbs and Shaw. However, he was unable to sign on for that movie due to other projects.
If Reeves appears in the sequel to Red Notice, the stars would need to align to make it happen, literally. The Wrap points out that Reynolds’s third installment of Deadpool is in the works. Gadot will be busy working on the third installment of Wonder Woman. Plus, Johnson will start production on Black Adam as well as a number of franchises. It will be interesting to see if all the stars will return or if they experience major scheduling conflicts.
If Netflix is able to get the franchise off the ground, it will be one of the biggest endeavors for the streaming service yet. Opening day for Red Notice saw a record viewing time of 148 million hours, reportedly the largest opening day for the streaming service to date. If the subsequent films are as successful, Netflix’s stock will soar in the coming years.
