Yes, he refused to play the part because the film was too “violent” for his liking.In today’s world, we keep hearing stories that an established actor had rejected a certain classic movie, and we get fascinated by the subject of speculation of what would have become of the film and the actor had he or she had accepted the role.
Source: https://smithgracee65.blogspot.com/2020/12/keanu-reeves-had-once-refused-to-play.html