Netflix has locked down the rights to BRZRKR, the ultra-violent comic book created by Keanu Reeves and published by BOOM! Studios. Reeves will produce and star in both the film adaptation as well as the anime series follow-up.
BRZRKR is based on the 12-issue limited series from Keanu Reeves, New York Times bestselling co-writer Matt Kindt (Folklords, Bang!), and acclaimed artist Alessandro Vitti (Marvel’s Secret Warriors), colorist Bill Crabtree (BRPD), and letterer Clem Robins (Hellboy). The first issue of the series is incredibly violent, rather mysterious, and will likely remind readers of stories like The Old Guard and John Wick.
Here's the logline for the comic book series:
The man known only as Berzerker is half-mortal and half-God, cursed and compelled to violence…even at the sacrifice of his sanity. But after wandering the world for centuries, Berzerker may have finally found a refuge – working for the U.S. government to fight the battles too violent and too dangerous for anyone else. In exchange, Berzerker will be granted the one thing he desires – the truth about his endless blood-soaked existence…and how to end it.
The anime series will expand the BRZRKR universe by exploring different elements of the story with Reeves reprising his role and voice his character. In addition to his starring role, Reeves is producing with Ross Richie and Stephen Christy for BOOM! Studios, alongside Stephen Hamel for Company Films. Adam Yoelin of BOOM! Studios will executive produce.
Dear Netflix, I do hope you're up for Mortal Kombat levels of gore because the first issue of BRZRKR is violent in ways that I'm afraid to describe. For real, this comic has got more broken bones, splattered brain matter, and bullet-ridden baddies than you can imagine. Reeves's character in the story is a freight train operating on a one-way track toward destruction, and I'm sure fans will dig it. Plus, I'm totally convinced that Reeves is already a god in real life, so the role isn't too much of a stretch.