Keanu Reeves is in discussions to star in James Wan’s upcoming remake of the 2019 crime thriller The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil.
The project marks a compelling convergence of talent, pairing the stoic intensity of Keanu Reeves with the kinetic, horror-inflected sensibilities of director James Wan. The film is a remake of the 2019 South Korean hit, which centers on an unlikely alliance between a police detective and a notorious gangster. Both men are driven by disparate motivations to track down the same elusive serial killer, setting the stage for a high-stakes game of cat and mouse that promises to lean into the dark, atmospheric tension Wan mastered early in his career.
Don Lee, also known as Ma Dong-seok, is attached to reprise his role as the gangster who survives a brutal encounter with the killer. While Reeves’ specific role remains unconfirmed, the narrative structure demands a sharp dynamic between the detective and his criminal counterpart. The screenplay has undergone several iterations, with the latest draft penned by Pearson, whose recent credits include Thunderbolts and The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The production also boasts the involvement of Sylvester Stallone, who is serving as a producer on the project.
For Reeves, the role offers a return to the procedural grit of his earlier career, echoing his past performances in films like Point Break, Speed, and Street Kings. Interestingly, the actor is no stranger to the darker side of the law; he previously portrayed a serial killer in the 2000 thriller The Watcher. This new project provides a chance to explore the investigation from the opposite perspective, potentially utilizing his experience in both action choreography and character-driven drama to ground the film’s violent premise.
James Wan’s involvement signals a potential shift back to the visceral, suspense-heavy filmmaking that defined his breakout success with Saw and Insidious. While the original film is often compared to the layered crime dramas like The Departed, Wan’s background suggests he may infuse the material with a distinct, unsettling edge. With production tentatively slated to begin in April 2027, the film stands as a highly anticipated entry in the thriller genre, blending international crime cinema with the polished, high-octane style of a seasoned blockbuster director.
