Actor: Keanu Reeves

Keanu Reeves has been dismissed for flat delivery for most of his career, and the reassessment has been substantial. What reads as blankness works as a surface over something withheld, which is exactly what The Matrix and John Wick need.

Point Break, Speed and The Matrix made him an action star in three different registers, and My Own Private Idaho and The Devil’s Advocate show he can do other things when a director asks.

John Wick required months of firearms and judo training per film, and the choreography is shot in long takes specifically so the audience can see it is him.

He has a public reputation for generosity, including giving back substantial portions of his Matrix earnings to the effects and costume crews.