Keanu Reeves Regrets Starring in This Flopped Sci-Fi Thriller — Even a Star-Studded Cast Couldn't Save It

These days, Keanu Reeves headlines some of the biggest and most acclaimed projects in Hollywood. But like many actors, his career hasn’t been without a few major misfires. Back in the 1990s, when Reeves was becoming known for his action and sci-fi roles, one particular film had all the makings of a hit — a huge budget, A-list cast, and a gripping premise. But everything fell apart on day one.

The movie bombed at the box office and was torn apart by both critics and audiences.

Chain Reaction’s Script Was the Real Cause of Its Failure

Years after Chain Reaction hit theatres, Reeves admitted he regretted taking the role — largely because the script was drastically rewritten just before filming began.

The actor has said he chooses roles based on how interesting the character is, and Chain Reaction seemed promising: he was set to play Eddie Kasalivich, a wrongly accused scientist desperate to clear his name. But as production began, his character's arc was almost entirely rewritten, leaving Reeves feeling disconnected and questioning the whole project.

Chain Reaction Remains One of Reeves’ Biggest Missteps

Not even Reeves’ talent — or that of his co-stars Morgan Freeman, Rachel Weisz, and Brian Cox — could save this sci-fi thriller. The film grossed just $60 million on a $50 million budget and was panned across the board. Critics and fans alike felt that even the strong cast underdelivered.

Almost 30 years later, Chain Reaction still holds dismal scores — just 18% and 27% on Rotten Tomatoes.