Keanu Reeves is set to make a comeback with a butt-kicking role in John Wick. The actor's latest moving outing was a starring role in 47 Rounin, which was one of the biggest box-office failures of 2013.

John Wick tells the story of a former hit man who takes revenge on a group of thugs that killed his dog.

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The last hit in Reeves' career was the 2008 sci-fi, The Day the Earth Stood Still, which raked in US$233 million in the global box office despite dire reviews.

Reeves' more popular hits include the action thriller Speed (1994), The Matrix (1999), The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolution, the well-received romcom, Something's Gotta Give (all 2003), and Constantine (2005) John Wick.

John Wick will hit select cities Thursday and opens nationwide Friday.

Reeves spent the better of the past five years directing and starring in the action-drama Man of Tai Chi. The film, however, had a lackluster box office performance, drawing only US$100,000 at the box office. Then, there's the long-delayed, box-office disappointment, 47 Ronin.

While his contemporaries, including Tom Cruise, 52, and Denzel Washington, 59, were able to reinvent themselves and star in surefire box office hits, Reeves, meanwhile, aims to go for critical acclaim.

In John Wick, Directors David Leitch and Chad Stahelski try to give him a fresh look in killer suit and with a beard.

Reeves still commands a strong fan base with both the old and the youngsters.

"I can't tell the last time I saw Keanu Reeves in a mainstream movie like this, but the younger movie audience is still very aware of who is he," Dave Karger of Fandango.com said.

"And he attacks this role with gusto I haven't seen in a while. There's fire and passion."

John Wick has already earned outstanding initial reviews, garnering 100% on RottenTomatoes.com's critical score.

TagsKeanu Reeves, John Wick