In a different world, Keanu Reeves might have been known to us as “Chuck Spadina”
Reeves explained to Good Morning America that he considered using Spadina as a stage name
Film Features Keanu Reeves
It’s never good to dwell too much on things that could have been. That road leads only to sadness and regret—an inability to move on with life and accept that we can’t change the past. But it’s hard not to linger on how the world we live in might be different when you learn, for instance, that famous movie star Keanu Reeves could have been known to us as Chuck Spadina.
Reeves/Spadina revealed this information during an interview with Good Morning America’s Michael Strahan. While talking about the upcoming Matrix Resurrections and the early days of his career, Reeves mentions that he was once asked to take on a stage name because, according to some Hollywood people, Keanu sounded too “exotic.”
“So, I’m 20 years old, I’m in my first car, I wanted to be in movies, I went to Hollywood,” Reeves says. “And I get there and they’re like, ‘we wanna change your name.’”
He remembers asking why, being told that maybe Keanu is “a little too exotic,” and then, after a sharp exhale, says “I did.” Strahan asks what kind of stage names he considered and Reeves immediately responds with, “Chuck Spadina. I just came up with ridiculous names.”
Ultimately, he says he “couldn’t do it” and ended up sticking with his real name.
As much as we agree with Reeves’ ultimate decision to stick with his actual name, it’s hard to deny the beauty of the alias he dreamed up, and the tribute to both the wide world of Charleses and the major Toronto road that Reeves, who lived in the city for much of his youth, presumably used as reference. (A version of Speed starring Chuck Spadina would have given ‘80s transit-jam “Spadina Bus” a different legacy, too.)
Still, even though he made a good decision and there’s no use regretting that now, it’s not too late for Reeves to honor his bygone alias by starting up a new film series where, instead of playing yet another guy named John, he provides audiences across the world with exciting stories about an action hero named Chuck Spadina.
[via Digg]
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39 Comments
Came here for the Shuffle Demons, am not disappointed.
I’m just disappointed Reid beat me to it. But Graham Yost (writer of Speed) is also from Toronto, so perhaps their influence is more pervasive than anyone thought.
I’m pretty sure “Spadina Bus” was Yost’s original title. And also, Yonge Street is the longest street in the world, so maybe his concept had the bus that couldn’t slow down just on that one street the whole time.
Could have been worse, he could have chosen ‘Elwy Yost’ as his name.
But it screams “Saturday Night at the Movies!” Although, I guess if you have dreams of stardom, you don’t want to rule out the other six days of the week (or matinees) for ticket sales.
My biggest takeaway from this is that apparently Michael Strahan is a talk show host now?
Has been for like 10 years. Since I don’t watch football, it’s all I know him from.
Michael Strahan was a football player?!?!?exclamation point
Michael Strahan was a Michael Strahan??
My biggest takeaway from this is honestly Spadina Bus.
v canadian
It just wouldn’t have been the same if KMK and Jordan Peel only had a cat named “Chuck.” I would think I was watching Zachary Levy.
Every time I see another Keanu Reeves interview I realize (again) that the guy just isn’t very bright.Some people are just born lucky, bless ‘em.
Looks like we got ourselves an energy vampire
https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/keanu-reeves-once-called-himself-dumb-despite-all-his-success-in-hollywood.html/I think the takeaway here is that he was clearly smart enough.
You say “smart,” I say “lucky.” There is a difference and I know what that difference is.
“Luck” may be opportunity but “smart” or at least “smart enough” is using that opportunity wisely, or at least not too badly.If you try to coast for too long with your hands off the wheel, you will inevitably go off the road and crash so you do have to provide some direction and that means at least some degree of smarts.
Automotive metaphor? That’s cute.
Why should Jalopnik have all the fun?
Good question. There is some joy to be found there.
He seems nice.
Oddly, while I agree he’s not very smart, I can’t call him stupid either. He’s just that friend you have that wants to go to Burger King at 3:00 am and tell you about an album that changed his life.
“Chuck Spadina?” No way. That sounds more like a name Reeves made up with the help of his pals on a ‘guy’s night out’.
That’s the worst name I’ve ever heard.
*actual Chuck Spadina runs out of bar weeping*
He does sound like the bass player for a Springsteen tribute, doesn’t he?
Shut your mouth, you filthy whore.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s manager thought his name sounded too exotic and he should change it to Lenny Williams.I think he fired that manager?
“I was in a movie called Bill and Ted in which I played a character named Ted ‘Theodore’ Logan….”Yes, we know who you are!
Chuck Spadina is the guy who I’m like “hey there’s that guy again, what’s his name?” while jerkin it to a bang bros video on pornhub
“We were just thinking you could change your name to one that’s less, uh … Hey Phil, what was that word we came up with that sounded less racist?”“Exotic.”“That’s the one! Less exotic.”
As someone from Toronto, I just told my wife and daughter that potential name.They said the name was “cursed”.
Don’t try to weird us out with your freaky Canadian ‘religion’!
Funky Chuck Spadina
I asked the guy why you so fly? He said funky Chuck Spadina.
FUNKY CHUCK SPADINA.
Spadina Applebum
I never thought I’d see or hear ‘Spadina Bus’ again.To be clear, I hoped I would never hear or see it again.
Clearly you’re more of a “Get Out Of My House, Roach” man. Or maybe you prefer “The Puker?”
Well Chuck a duck!