Alan Ritchson is being replaced by Keanu Reeves in Netflix’s upcoming action thriller “Maelstrom,” following a series of public clashes over his attacks on President Donald Trump and criticism of Christian conservatives. The casting news comes weeks after the “Reacher” star said studios had urged him to stop discussing politics publicly. Ritchson and his wife, Catherine, also announced in September that they were ending their marriage after 20 years together.
Reeves’ involvement was reported on October 26th, with “Carry-On” director Jaume Collet-Serra attached to the Netflix project. Ritchson had previously been lined up to lead the film, which follows a federal marshal protecting a witness during a hurricane. Reports describe his departure as an exit from the production; a connection between that decision and his political statements hasn’t been publicly announced.
The actor’s political commentary had already become an issue with studios, according to his own account at Fan Expo Canada in Toronto. During the appearance, Ritchson described receiving calls asking him to stop speaking publicly about politics. He specifically named Sony while discussing the pressure and referred to the controversy surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein files during the same exchange.
“Would you shut the f— up, please? Stop talking in public,” Ritchson said studios had asked him, according to The Christian Post’s account of the appearance. He said he wanted the opposite of chaos, then stopped himself from launching into yet another political tirade. “I’m not going to do it. Sony told me not to.”
His criticism of Trump and Christian voters stretches back at least to an April 2024 interview with The Hollywood Reporter. Ritchson called Trump “a rapist and a con man” and expressed disbelief that Christians supported him. The actor, who publicly identifies as Christian and discusses faith through his InstaChurch ministry, also said, “Christians today have become the most vitriolic tribe.”
Ritchson turned his attention to former Republican congressman Matt Gaetz in a February 2025 interview with GQ. The two attended school in Florida, and Ritchson questioned why voters continued supporting Gaetz. “We are adversaries,” he said, describing Gaetz as “not a good dude.” In the same interview, Ritchson discussed whether he could enter politics himself and declared, “I think Bernie Sanders is a hero.”
By September 2026, Ritchson was also suggesting politics had affected decisions about “Reacher” itself. In a Threads comment, he claimed a planned adaptation of Lee Child’s “Die Trying,” involving a separatist militia, had been approved, then suggested Trump’s reelection changed the situation. The New York Post reported his allegation alongside his account of studio pressure to stop making political statements.
"*" indicates required fields
Watch Ritchson discuss the calls from studios during his Fan Expo Canada appearance here:
The same period brought a public announcement about his marriage. On September 12th, Alan and Catherine shared a joint Instagram statement announcing their split, roughly six weeks before the “Maelstrom” casting news. The couple married in May 2006 and share three sons, Calem, Edan and Amory. Their announcement described plans to remain involved in each other’s lives while raising their children.
In their joint statement, the couple said they would focus on friendship and co-parenting while allowing one another room to grow. They also asked for privacy for their family as they adjusted to the separation. “After twenty years together, Cat and I have decided to end our marriage and continue alongside one another in a different way.”