Fox Wants Keanu Reeves to Return for Speed 3?

In 2007, Dennis Hopper told The Guardian that he was set to reprise his role as Howard Payne in a third Speed film. Some people assumed it had to be a remake considering (spoiler warning) Hopper’s character died at the end of the first film. Well apparently now. A scooper on AICN has confirmed that a scriptment for Speed 3 is floating around Hollywood. Not only that, but the story features the return of Officer Jack Traven, the lead character played by Keanu Reeves in the original film.

But the real question is, will Fox be able to lure Keanu back? As many remember, Reeves decided not to return for the sequel, Speed 2: Cruise Control. The actor has since starred in The Matrix trilogy which made him the highest paid actor of all time. And with his passion project in the horizon, an Untitled Chef Project helmed by David Fincher, I’m guessing Reeves might need some convincing to come back for a third film. It would have to be one hell of a script.

A lot of people don’t give the original Speed film enough credit. It was actually a pretty kick ass high concept (heck, its the definition of high concept) action flick. I wouldn’t mind seeing another if the idea were right. But what’s the chances? It seems to me that the executives at Fox are looking for ways to make some more money off of some of their established franchises, especially with talk of a Planet of the Apes prequel. Lets just hope they aren’t planning a Speed 3-D!