10 Insane Reasons Actors Didn’t Return for Sequels

For a sequel to any movie to be considered in the first place, there has to have been at least some amount of success, be it critically, commercially, or both. In 1994, Speed checked just about every box, and a sequel was soon greenlit and released three years later.

However, arguably the best part of the original was nowhere to be seen. Keanu Reeves, one of the most popular actors working in the industry today, certainly had the opportunity to return to his role as Jack Traven alongside Sandra Bullock's Annie Porter, but despite the original film's success, chose not to.

As is to be expected with the man, Reeves had nothing bad to say about the film, the director, or his co-star. In fact, he specifically called out that he loved working with them, but there was one aspect of the sequel's script that just didn't sit right with him. And it was a big one.

While the concept of keeping a bus above 50mph to avert a bomb going off makes for great viewing, Reeves didn't think the same would be said about a similar instance with a cruise liner. Bus? Sure! Cruise liner? No way! Even Graham Yost, the writer for the original movie, believes both he and Reeves "dodged a bullet" with the sequel.