It’s rare for an actor to maintain popularity and longevity in Hollywood, and yet,Keanu Reeveshas been a box office darling for over three decades. From Ted inBill & Ted’s Excellent Adventureto shooting his way through Paris as John Wick inJohn Wick: Chapter 4, Reeves is one of the few movie stars left to bring audiences to the theaters. With so many iconic roles in the expanse of his filmography, such as Neo inThe Matrixmovies, it would be safe to assume that one of Reeves’ franchise movies has crossed over into the $1 billion box office club. Surprisingly, a franchise movie that Reeves was involved with has passed $1 billion, but it’s not one where Reeves stars as an assassin or an officer of the law. Instead,his sole entry to the $1 billion box office club is a movie where he voices an animated stuntman –Toy Story 4.
Toy Story 4
When a new toy called “Forky” joins Woody and the gang, a road trip alongside old and new friends reveals how big the world can be for a toy.
‘The Matrix: Reloaded’ Almost Pushed Keanu Reeves to $1 Billion
To Keanu Reeves’ credit as a bankable movie star, he has been close to crossing the $1 billion threshold with projects starring him. TheJohn Wickfranchise as a whole has grossed over $1 billion, thanks to the success ofJohn Wick: Chapter 4. However, for a single movie, the closest he’s ever gotten was back in 2003 withThe Matrix: Reloaded. AfterThe Matrixcaught wildfire in 1999 for its action, concept, and style, there was so much anticipation for its sequel. Fans of the original were eager to see how Neo and his allies would continue their fight as they raged against the machine. That excitement translated to the box office asThe Matrix: Reloadedended up grossing $738.6 million. Despite the influence and mass appeal ofThe Matrix, its R-rating limited how much of the box office it could bring in at the time. The key word being at the time because, since then,Deadpool & Wolverinehas become the highest grossing R-rated movie.
Before Disney could rake in money from a team up between Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) and Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), Disney could rely on breaking the box office through their animated movies that appealed to audiences of all ages, especially movies from Pixar. Through the medium of computer animation, Pixar movies, such asThe IncrediblesandInside Out, have been able to explore deeper themes that are crafted in a way that can be translated to children as well as adults. TheToy Storymovies, which kickstarted Pixar Animation Studios, are no exception to this, as the movies have explored purpose, abandonment, and growing up through anthropomorphic toys. For Reeves to join the cast of this franchise, it was like strapping himself on a rocket towards infinity and beyond.
Duke Caboom Showcases Keanu Reeves’ Voice Acting Range
Reeves is one of the new cast members who jumped into the fourth installment of this belovedPixarfranchise as one of the new toys Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) encounter while on a road trip with their new owner, Bonnie (Madeleine McGraw). While his character doesn’t bring the same jokes per minute asKeegan-Michael KeyandJordan Peeledo as Ducky and Bunny, respectively,Reeves succeeds in making his mark in a franchise filled with memorable toys as Canadian stuntperson, Duke Caboom.
Based on a fictionalized version ofEvel Knievel, Duke Caboom is one of the new toys Woody meets in his efforts to rescue Forky (Tony Hale) from Gabby Gabby (Christina Hendricks). Canada’s greatest stuntman is a friend and ally of Bo Peep (Annie Potts), who’s still living in the antique shop where Forky is held captive. Based on the rapport between Duke and Bo, it’s certainly suggested that the two may have had a romantic past, similar to that of Bo and Woody; for example, he refers to Bo’s sheep ashisgirls. Thanks to Keanu Reeves’ line delivery, Duke’s charm is enough for Woody to feel a little threatened by the posing stuntman.
The Voice of Woody in ‘Toy Story’ Video Games and Toys Is a Hanks, but Not Tom
The voice of the iconic Pixar character has been voiced by not one, but two Hanks.
Speaking of posing,Duke Caboom is a standout side character despite having less than ten minutes of screen time. When Duke rides on his motorcycle, he carries with him the bravado and confidence of a celebrity. After being introduced to Woody, Duke wastes no time showing off his athleticism by hopping through poses. Shortly after, when he initially refuses to help Bo and Woody, Duke punctuates his refusal by posing again, practically acting like a toddler without a temper tantrum. Like a child, Duke has a naivety to him, shown earlier in that scene when Bo describes Woody’s unwise actions of trying to get Forky undetected. Reeves’ delivery in conjunction with the animation transforms a small moment like this into comedy gold.
It’s not just humor that Keanu Reeves brings to Duke Caboom. When he learns that Woody still has a kid, it triggers Duke’s own trauma of how he became a lost toy. It turns out that Duke Caboom was a Boxing Day gift to a Canadian kid, Rejean, but after Rejean realized that he couldn’t jump as far as the toy was advertised in a commercial, Duke became a lost toy and second-hand news. Recalling this memory makes him break down in tears, which is simultaneously humorous. It’s thatmix of humor and gravitas that Reeves can expertly jump back and forthfrom thanks to years perfecting that skill.
Duke Caboom’s Carnival Jump Is Vital ‘Toy Story 4’s Climax
Although Duke Caboom has limited screen time inToy Story 4, his inclusion is essential to the movie. Thanks to pep talks from Woody and Bo Peep, Duke is convinced to make two key jumps. The first being in the antique store when Duke and Woody make the four-foot jump to the cabinet where Forky and Bo’s sheep are being kept by Gabby Gabby (Christina Hendricks). Because of his jump, Woody successfully makes it to the cabinet, while Duke crashes and proceeds to distract the cat. Woody has made it his sole mission and purpose to bring Forky back to Bonnie before she and her family leave town.Duke’s jump and subsequent crash made it possible for Woody to save Forky.
The Canadian stuntperson defies the odds again at the carnival during the movie’s climax. After Gabby Gabby is rejected by Harmony (Lila Sage Bromley), Woody convinces Gabby Gabby to come with him and Forky to become Bonnie’s new toy. As they race to catch up with Bonnie’s RV, Woody and Bo hype up Duke Caboom to make another jump, only this time it’s 40 feet. With his newfound confidence, Duke triumphantly makes the jump; and he does it with his eyes closed and strikes a pose as fireworks frame him midair. Although he does technically crash, Duke’s motorcycle strings out the banner that Woody, Bo, Gabby Gabby, Bunny, and Ducky use to catch up with Bonnie and her family.It’s thanks to Duke Caboom’s jump at the carnival that Gabby Gabby finds herself a new owner.See, it’s right after this jump that Gabby Gabby spots a lost girl. Instead of going to be with Bonnie, Gabby Gabby chooses to stay with this lost girl, and in doing so, Gabby Gabby finds a new home. This choice Gabby Gabby impacts Woody, making a drastic decision for himself– Woody chooses to leave his friends in order to stay with Bo Peep. Together, they create their own crew, which includes Duke Caboom, where they find homes for fellow lost toys.
‘Toy Story 4’ Triumphs Because of Pixar’s Track Record of Quality Storytelling
Despite the memorable role Keanu Reeves brought toToy Story 4, he was not the sole reason whyToy Story 4would go on to cross $1 billion at the box office.Granted, additions such as him, Keegan-Michael Key, and Jordan Peele, certainly helped keep the comedy going in a movie targeted at kids.Toy Story 4is part of a long-running franchise that has been critically and commercially praised.Toy Storywas the first feature film by Pixar Studios; coincidentally, the yearToy Storywas released was the year Reeves starred as Jack Traven inSpeedalongsideSandra Bullock.Toy Story 2is largely considered one of the best sequels ever made because of how it elevates the themes and the stakes of a computer-animated movie about toys.Toy Story 3marks the end of an era of growing up with Andy (John Morris) as he goes off to college, but the beginning of a new chapter with Bonnie. The previous threeToy Storymovies are excellent in their own right, thus having a lot of goodwill going into the fourth installment, which later translated into the 2019 box office.
In addition to being the fourth installment of an animated dynasty,Toy Story 4matches the quality of the previousToy Storymovies. Not only is it an entertaining movie for both kids and adults alike,Toy Story 4continues to carry emotional depth through exploring themes of purpose, change, and worth. Despite Buzz, Jessie (Joan Cusack), and the rest of the toys smoothly transitioning into Bonnie’s toy ecosystem,Woody struggles to find a new purpose in a post-Andy life. He puts all of his focus on Forky to be of value to Bonnie. Since Woody turned down Stinky Pete (Kelsey Grammer) inToy Story 2, Woody has never strayed from his loyalty to being a kid’s toy. It’s not until he reunites with Bo Peep that his worldview is challenged and broadened.Toy Story 4is a celebration of where Woody and the gang have been throughout the years, as much as it is a goodbye for Woody and the life he’s always known.
When it was released in 2019,Toy Story 4defied the skeptics to prove there was more story left to tell afterToy Story 3. Its critical and commercial success paved the way forToy Story 5to be greenlit. Thanks to exceptional storytelling through its themes, as well as introducing memorable new characters like Duke Caboom,Toy Story 4easily topped its predecessor as the highest-grossingToy Storymovie. As we wait for Keanu Reeves to return to the $1 billion box office again, he can be proud that his involvement in a movie of this caliber made this level of impact at the box office.
Toy Story 4is available to stream on Disney+ in the U.S.
