Keanu Reeves Was Reportedly the Original Choice for Acolyte Role

After a lukewarm reception, Lucasfilm decided to cancel “The Acolyte” after just one season on Disney+. The series boasted an ensemble cast, including Lee Jung-jae from “Squid Game” as the enigmatic Jedi Master Sol. However, a new report from a Hollywood insider suggests Lee might not have been Lucasfilm’s initial choice for the role.

“While I’m told that contrary to that report, Reeves never filmed a scene for ‘The Acolyte’, he had been in talks for the role ultimately played by Squid Game star Lee Jung-jae, whose character was killed off at the end of Season 1,” Jeff Sneider said in his latest newsletter.

According to the insider, Lionsgate didn’t allow Reeves to adjust his shooting schedule for “Ballerina,” the highly anticipated John Wick spinoff, which is a flagship franchise for the studio.

“While studio insiders have countered that Reeves was never formally offered the role, I’m told he was very interested in doing the show, which wound up casting his Matrix co-star Carrie-Anne Moss — another selling point for him,” Sneider elaborated. “In fact, don’t be surprised if Reeves finds his way into the Star Wars franchise down the line, as Lucasfilm remains high on the actor, whose interest has been noted internally.”

Sneider also mentioned that Lucasfilm chose to cancel “The Acolyte” due to low viewership numbers, and not as a direct result of review bombing or fan reaction.

Set during The High Republic, “Star Wars: The Acolyte” offers a deep dive into a series of mysterious crimes. This investigation pits a Jedi master against his former apprentice as they race to uncover the truth. The darker their journey gets, the more they realize they are confronting forces darker than they had ever imagined.

The series stars Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-jae, Manny Jacinto, Dafne Keen, Charlie Barnett, Jodie Turner-Smith, Rebecca Henderson, Dean-Charles Chapman, Joonas Suotamo, and Carrie-Anne Moss. “Star Wars: The Acolyte” premiered on Disney+ on June 4th.

Source: ComicBook