Keanu Reeves has his next role at Netflix in an action movie in the same vein as Die Hard. Reeves is replacing Alan Ritchson, which will be a positive outcome for the movie.

Reeves has signed on to star in Maelstrom, which has been described as “Die Hard in a hurricane.” Maelstrom dates back to a 1993 script about a “federal marshal who must guard the fiancée of an arms dealer set to testify against him. But first, they must survive the odds in a hurricane. Jaume Collet-Serra will direct a screenplay by Mark Bianculli.

Reeves will play the federal marshal, the role originally meant for Ritchson. But Maelstrom is a case where the casting change will ultimately benefit the film.

Keanu Reeves will be a better fit for Netflix’s Die Hard-style action movie

With the idea dating back to the early 1990s, the likely intent of “Die Hard in a hurricane” was to find a Bruce Willis-esque actor to fill the role. It’s that everyman type of actor with a certain vulnerability. The audience believes that the hero might lose.

Reeves’ skills fit the Die Hard mold, and he should thrive in Maelstrom. As a marshal, he’ll need to handle firearms. Is there a better actor at using a gun in movies than the man who plays John Wick? Reeves is a believable law enforcement official, having previously played them in Point Break and Speed.

Speaking of Speed, Maelstrom has a Speed-like element where the action hero must protect a woman in distress. Reeves and Sandra Bullock had excellent chemistry in Speed, so use that as a proof of concept for Maelstrom.

Ritchson is an excellent action star. This is not a case where the movie would fail had he played the lead role. Compared to Ritchson, Reeves’ personality and acting traits should work better in Maelstrom.

Ritchson is an extremely physical actor. His Hulk-like presence makes it hard to believe he won’t succeed. That size and strength are perfect for Reacher or a huge action blockbuster like Helldivers. However, that physicality works against him in a Die Hard-esque role. Think about how much punishment John McClane takes. It’s more believable if Reeves, not Ritchson, replicates that punishment.

Reeves and Ritchson have both found successful lanes within the action genre. In the case of Maelstrom, Reeves will be the better fit.