Keanu Reeves is in talks to star in The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil, James Wan’s upcoming action thriller for Paramount Pictures.
Keanu Reeves could be preparing for his next major action project. The John Wick star is reportedly in negotiations to headline The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil, an American remake of the acclaimed 2019 South Korean thriller, set to be directed by James Wan, the filmmaker behind Aquaman and The Conjuring. The film will be produced by Paramount Pictures and will also feature Don Lee (Ma Dong-seok), who is set to reprise his role from the original.
The story follows a powerful organised crime boss and a detective who, despite their differences, are forced to work together to track down a dangerous serial killer. Their unlikely alliance unfolds against a backdrop of violence, betrayal and a relentless pursuit in which both men have their own agendas.
The original film, directed by Lee Won-tae, premiered at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival and became one of the most recognised titles in South Korean action cinema. For now, it has not been confirmed which character Reeves would portray, although his potential involvement would bring together two major figures of the genre.
The project will mark James Wan’s return to directing feature films following Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, released in 2023. The filmmaker will also serve as a producer alongside Jason Blum, Michael Clear and Sylvester Stallone, among others.
The latest version of the screenplay has been written by Eric Pearson, known for his work on Thunderbolts*, building on earlier drafts by Shay Hatten and Brian Helgeland.
Meanwhile, Keanu Reeves continues to expand his film slate. Following his starring role in Outcome, directed by Jonah Hill, the actor is also set to reprise his voice role as Shadow in Sonic the Hedgehog 4, which is scheduled for release in March 2027.
Although Paramount has yet to announce an official release date, the prospect of Reeves joining forces with Don Lee has already positioned this new adaptation as one of Hollywood’s most intriguing upcoming action projects.
