The Watcher, starring Keanu Reeves, was released 15 years ago on September 8, 2000. This particular film was not a pleasant experience for Keanu.
At the time of the film’s theatrical release in September 2000, eonline reported that Keanu was MIA from the film’s trailer and advertising and he failed to do any press promotion for the film. Keanu verbally said he would do a small cameo in the film after reading the script. The director, Joe Charbanic changed the script substantially making Keanu the star and used his name to get financing and the other costars. Keanu wanted to drop out but was advised not too. In an attempt not to alienate an A-list star, Universal made Keanu disappear from all of the marketing and Keanu in turn had to wait a year before talking about the incident.
In September 2001 Keanu got his side of the story out at the Toronto International Film Festival during an interview for Hardball. The Guardian reported the following:
“I never found the script interesting, but a friend of mine forged my signature on the agreement,” he told the Calgary Sun newspaper. “I couldn’t prove he did and I didn’t want to get sued, so I had no other choice but to do the film.” Reeves says that other legal stipulations mean that he has had to wait twelve months after the film’s US release before being able to go public with his anger. “If it’s September that means it’s been a year, so I can finally talk,” he told the newspaper.
According to Hollywood.com, director Joe Charbanic was a former Dogstar roadie and had directed a musical video for the band.
While most critics hated the film, the reviewer for Best Movies Ever liked it and had an interesting take.