Keanu Reeves to star in Netflix action thriller Maelstrom

Keanu Reeves has been attached to star in the upcoming Netflix action thriller “Maelstrom,” taking over the lead role from Alan Ritchson. The project, directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, follows a U.S. Marshal tasked with protecting the fiancée of an arms dealer who has entered witness protection. The plot intensifies when a massive hurricane strikes, cutting off all communications and leaving the pair to defend themselves against the dealer’s armed henchmen during a single, brutal night.

The film has a long development history, originating from a 1993 spec script by the late Gregory Fitzpatrick that was originally sold to Warner Bros. The project was once described as “Die Hard in a hurricane” and was considered for stars such as Sylvester Stallone and Clint Eastwood. The current screenplay has been revised by Mark Bianculli. Producer Jeff Robinov, who was involved in the original 1993 sale, is returning to bring the project to life under his new deal with Netflix.