Keanu Reeves’ pre-Matrix Shakespeare turn as Don John in Kenneth Branagh’s Much Ado About Nothing will stream for free on Plex starting in July, giving viewers a rare chance to see the John Wick star in a role that runs under 10 minutes.
By the time Keanu Reeves’ name flashes again across the box office, it feels like his career has circled back on itself—this time, to a very different stage.
Reeves is currently back in theaters through Toy Story 5, where he voices Duke Caboom. He first appeared as the hilarious stuntman in Toy Story 4. and for Toy Story 5 he joins the returning cast led by Tom Hanks as Woody. Tim Allen as Buzz. and Joan Cusack as Jessie. alongside more familiar faces and some new ones. Duke Caboom. though. is given limited screentime; he and his team of lost toys are largely sidelined as the story leans more toward what feels like a Jessie spin-off.
The film is also off to a huge start. Toy Story 5 earned $312 million in its first three days. marking the best opening for the franchise and the second-best opening for animated cinema history. With the movie looking set to become the second film to reach the billion-dollar mark this year. the only one already there is The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
But Reeves’ real curveball—one longtime fans may not have connected to his screen persona—comes from a completely different kind of spotlight: Shakespeare. In 1993. Kenneth Branagh’s star-studded Much Ado About Nothing brought together a lineup that included Keanu Reeves. Emma Thompson. Denzel Washington. Kate Beckinsale. Michael Keaton. Robert Sean Leonard. and Imelda Staunton.
The film earned $43 million at the box office against a reported budget of just $8 million. and Reeves plays Don John. Pedro’s nefarious half-brother. His presence on screen is short—limited to less than 10 minutes of screentime. The timing matters. because Reeves’ star power back then is a different story from the one audiences now know so well from The Matrix-era fascination and. later. John Wick.
If you’ve been waiting to catch that cameo at full attention, it’s finally happening. Much Ado About Nothing will be available to stream for free on Plex starting in July.
The numbers tell one story—Reeves landing back in a franchise juggernaut with Toy Story 5—while the 1993 casting tells another. Together. they turn his current moment into something more than a box-office headline: it’s a reminder that even when he’s barely on screen. Reeves’ presence has always carried momentum.
Keanu Reeves Much Ado About Nothing Plex Shakespeare Toy Story 5 Duke Caboom Kenneth Branagh Don John Tom Hanks Tim Allen Joan Cusack
Free on Plex?? finally something good lol. I didn’t even know he did Shakespeare.
Wait so Keanu is only in Much Ado for like 10 minutes? That seems like a troll but I guess it’s still cool. Also Toy Story 5 is the one with him right?
Don John in Shakespeare… doesn’t that character like, fight in The Matrix or something? My brain is mixing it up. But free streaming is free streaming, I’ll take it. Plex keeps recommending weird stuff anyway.
The article says Toy Story 5 made $312 million in 3 days so everyone’s about to forget Shakespeare again 😂. Keanu’s in theaters now AND ancient Branagh movies on Plex like what timeline is this. Also how is it ‘free’ if it’s on Plex… isn’t Plex like ads or whatever? I’m confused but I’ll probably watch the 10 min part and leave.