Slingshot Global Media today announced that Keanu Reeves is attached to executive produce and star Rain, a new television series based on the New York Times best-selling book series written by Barry Eisler.
Eisler, Chad Stahelski and David Leitch will produce, and Slingshot Global Media will executive produce and distribute the show.
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“We are extremely excited to be working on a beloved property with such a talented and hard-working actor as Keanu,” said Ellender. “This series will be the launch pad for the company and highlight our talent-focused, quality-based approach within the ever-changing and expanding television space.”
The show will be a globe-trotting action drama featuring the lead character, “John Rain,” a half-Japanese, half-American contract assassin who specializes in taking out his targets by making it look like death by natural causes. An outsider in whatever world he’s in, Rain ironically finds that the one identity he knows – that of being a hitman – is the very thing that prevents him from bringing others closer into his life. The show’s source material will be based on Eisler’s series of novels featuring Rain, including A Clean Kill in Tokyo, A Lonely Resurrection, Winner Take All, Redemption Games, Extremis, The Killer Ascendant, The Detachment, and Graveyard of Memories.
Reeves reached stardom through his performances in the films Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Speed, and the Matrix trilogy. Since then, Reeves has also starred in The Devil’s Advocate, Much Ado About Nothing, A Walk in the Clouds, Constantine, The Lake House, A Scanner Darkly, and Something’s Gotta Give. Reeves recently made his directorial debut with Man of Tai Chi, and will also star in the upcoming John Wick, directed by Stahelski and Leitch.
Rain will be Reeves’ first major starring and producing role in a television series, and Slingshot’s first officially announced project since the company formed in February. The show fits well within the new company’s objective of working closely with talent to develop series and limited-run programming for both traditional broadcast and cable networks, in addition to on demand options and premium pay services.
“As a huge fan of Barry’s work, I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to bring his iconic character and incredible world to life,” said Reeves. “I’m looking forward to partnering with Slingshot on my first series, and reteaming with Chad and David.”
