(Left) Director Justin Lin on the set of ‘Fast Five.’ Photo: Universal Pictures. (Right) Keanu Reeves in the Roku Channel docuseries ‘Visionaries’. Photo: Roku Channel.
Preview:
- Justin Lin is aboard the ‘BRZRKR’ movie.
- Keanu Reeves is starring as a character from the comic he created.
- ‘Mother/Android’s Mattson Tomlin wrote the script.
Back in 2021, Keanu Reeves –– no stranger to action on screen thanks to the ‘Matrix’ and ‘John Wick’ movie series –– added another creative string to his bow via comic book title ‘BRZRKR,’ which debuted in 2021 via Boom! Studios.
A brutally epic saga about an immortal warrior’s 80,000 year fight through the ages. The man known only as ‘B’ is half-mortal and half-god, cursed and compelled… Read the Plot
Partly funded by a successful Kickstarter campaign, the comic features an extremely powerful character –– who most certainly looks like his creator –– battling his way through enemies while also contemplating the end of his own immortal existence.
Reeves had always intended to adapt the comic book into movies and beyond, and the big screen version took a big step forward as The Hollywood Reporter brings word that ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise filmmaking veteran Justin Lin is on board to direct.
Related Article: Keanu Reeves and Gard Hollinger Talk Roku Docuseries ‘Visionaries’
What’s the story of ‘BRZRKR’?
BRZRKR comics. Photo: Boom! Studios.
The official synopsis of the Boom! title describes it as a “brutally epic saga about an immortal warrior’s 80,000 year fight through the ages. The man known only as ‘B’ is half-mortal and half-god, cursed and compelled to violence, even at the sacrifice of his sanity. But after wandering the earth for centuries, B may have finally found a refuge — working for the U.S. government to fight the battles too violent and too dangerous for anyone else. In exchange, B will be granted the one thing he desires — the truth about his endless blood-soaked existence… and how to end it.”
Reeves came up with the concept and the story, and developed it with artist Ron Garney and Eisner-nominated comics author Matt Kindt, who has previously written titles for Marvel, DC and Valiant and who was behind the creator-owned comic ‘Mind MGMT.’
The first issue remains one of the best-selling comics of the last decade, selling over 600,000 copies. The title itself has sold over 3.5 million worldwide, including all collected issues and specials.
In 2024, a spin-off novel titled ‘The Book of Elsewhere,’ written by China Miéville and Reeves, became a New York Times best-seller after being published by Del Rey, the imprint from Penguin Random House, the publisher that also owns Boom!
Here’s what Reeves told a San Diego Comic-Con crowd about his idea back in 2022:
“I had this idea — I wanted a character to punch people through their chest and rip their arms off. And the idea of someone who was cursed with violence and trying to figure out who they are and how they came to be and kind of reclaiming their humanity.
And he also talked up both his comics fandom and his elation at seeing his creation in print:
“I was that kid coming back with bags of comic books, and it was always a good day. I was like, ‘I’m kind of an adult, and this is the best f****** Christmas I’ve ever f****** had.’”
Mattson Tomlin, who wrote the likes of ‘Project Power’ and ‘Little Fish’ and both scripted and directed ‘Mother/Android,’ is aboard to handle the ‘BRZRKR’ screenplay.
He’s recently been busy co-writing ‘The Batman 2’ with Matt Reeves.
What else is happening with ‘BRZRKR’?
BRZRKR comics. Photo: Boom! Studios.
In addition to the movie, Tomlin has also been involved with an anime take on the title, which will expand and explore different elements of the title.
Reeves is naturally involved, and will voice the main character.
There will also be plenty of merchandise headed our way via IMG.
What else is Justin Lin working on?
(L to R) Karl Urban and Zachary Quinto in ‘Star Trek Beyond’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
News of Lin tackling the ‘BRZRKR’ movie comes as he’s just had some help from Reeves with his own latest project.
Having worked for a few years in the blockbuster sphere on several ‘Fast’ movies and ‘Star Trek Beyond,’ while also handling episodes of ‘True Detective’ and the pilot of the ‘Magnum P.I.’ reboot, Lin decided to return to his indie roots for a new film called ‘Last Days’ about the tragic story of missionary John Allen Chau, who was killed by a tribe living on an island in the Indian Ocean.
He was in pre-production on the movie when the financing fell through, but then the day was saved by a particular “angel investor” who offered their own money: one K. Reeves.
Here’s what Lin told Collider about the movie’s issues and Reeves stepping in to help:
“For a year, we thought we had our financing, and I met some people, and it turned out not to be true. It’s one of those darkest moments where I felt like, ‘I tried my best. We tried.’ I felt really bad because (actor) Sky Yang was already prepping, and I’m like, ‘Oh, I think that’s it…’ Then Keanu called out of the blue, and he’s like, ‘I heard you’re having some problems. I want to help.’ It was so inspirational.”
The movie premiered at Sundance this year, but has yet to confirm a release date.
Lin is also attached to direct ‘Two For the Money,’ a heist thriller that has Charlize Theron and Daniel Craig attached and that is set up at Apple.
When will the ‘BRZRKR’ movie hit our screens?
Netflix, which has the rights to both the movie and is backing the anime spin-off, has yet to formally announce a launch date.
But given the company, we’d likely expect to see this one hit its servers rather than having a big theatrical release. Don’t expect to see it much before 2026, either.
(L to R) Gard Hollinger and Keanu Reeves in the Roku Channel docuseries ‘Visionaries’. Photo: Roku Channel.
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