Keanu Reeves Just Found His Next Big Action Franchise After ‘John Wick’

Keanu Reeves may be best known as John Wick, but the actor is clearly not planning to spend the rest of his career playing the same character. While fans are still wondering what the future holds for the popular action franchise, Reeves has already found another project that could give him a completely new action world to explore.

According to Deadline, Reeves is set to star in Kill Current: A Jon Hendricks Thriller, an upcoming movie based on Oliver Lowe’s novel of the same name. The book has not even been released yet, but The Arena has already acquired the film rights. Reeves will play Jon Hendricks, a former CIA officer who is forced back into action after losing someone he once trained.

The timing is pretty interesting because Lowe’s novel is not scheduled to arrive until May 2027 through Zando. That means the movie plans are moving forward before readers have even had a chance to discover the story. It is also a strong sign that the people behind the project see Jon Hendricks as someone who could become more than a one-movie character.

The story is designed as a modern international thriller, with Hendricks caught up in a dangerous situation involving powerful interests and valuable technology. The plot reportedly deals with subjects such as computer chips, global supply chains and technological warfare, giving the movie a more current setting than the usual spy adventure. At its center, though, is a much more personal story about a man who has already walked away from his old life.

That could make the role a natural fit for Reeves. The actor has built a huge reputation through physical action roles, but many of his best characters also have a quiet and emotional side. John Hendricks appears to offer both. He is not simply another super-skilled hero running around with a weapon. He is a tired former agent who has a personal reason to return to a world he thought he had left behind.

There is also a bigger reason this project stands out for Reeves. He is not only starring in Kill Current. He is producing the movie with Alexandra Grant through their new company, Two Dragonflies. The company is designed to develop stories across several forms of entertainment, including movies, television, animation, comics, games and books.

Reeves discussed the project with Deadline and expressed his excitement about building the character with his creative partners. He also described Kill Current as the beginning of Two Dragonflies, making the movie an important first step for the new company. That means Reeves is getting involved on both sides of the camera and helping shape the world rather than simply showing up to play the lead.

The Arena is financing and producing the project. The studio was founded by former Lionsgate film chief Erik Feig, while Zando founder and CEO Molly Stern is attached as an executive producer. Stern has described Lowe’s novel as a fresh version of the geopolitical thriller, with its story connected to modern global tensions and technology.

For Reeves, this is just one part of a very busy period. He is also involved in several other projects, including the stop-motion movie Hidari, Tim Miller’s science-fiction film Shiver and Sonic the Hedgehog 4, where he is expected to return as Shadow. His career is clearly moving in several directions at once.

Still, Kill Current could be especially important because it has the potential to become a franchise built around Reeves from the beginning. There is no existing movie audience waiting for a familiar character and no established film series to continue. Instead, Reeves and his team are trying to create something new around Jon Hendricks.

John Wick showed how powerful Reeves can be when he finds the right action character. Now he has another chance to do it all over again. Kill Current is still a long way from reaching theaters, but if the movie connects with audiences, Jon Hendricks could become the next major action role in Reeves’ career.

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