Good Fortune, a new comedy directed by Aziz Ansari, is hitting theaters on October 17, 2025. This film stars Keanu Reeves, Seth Rogen, Keke Palmer, and Ansari himself, marking Ansari’s first big swing as a feature film director. Curious about what it’s like working with a legend like Reeves? Ansari shared his thoughts with Entertainment Weekly, and I’ve got all the details for you.
Let’s talk about the movie first. In Good Fortune, Reeves plays Gabriel, a well-meaning but slightly awkward angel who tries to help a struggling gig worker named Arj, played by Ansari, by swapping his life with a rich venture capitalist, Jeff, brought to life by Rogen. It’s a fun, high-concept comedy with a lot of heart, and the cast, which also includes Sandra Oh and Keke Palmer, has everyone talking already.
Ansari, who you might know from Parks & Rec or creating Master of None, had never met Reeves before casting him. But the second he saw him, with that long hair and iconic vibe, he knew Reeves was the guy for the role. “As soon as I saw him, he had long hair and everything, and I was like, ‘This has got to be him,’” Ansari told Entertainment Weekly. He went on to say Reeves has this “real movie star aura” that’s pretty rare, like he’s in “pretty rarefied air.” I totally get why—Reeves just has that magic.
Things went pretty smoothly on set, but there was one funny moment—Reeves actually tripped over a rug and got injured for the first time ever while filming. Can you imagine? The man who’s done wild stunts in John Wick and The Matrix was taken down by a rug in a comedy. Ansari didn’t dive too deep into the story, but he made it clear Reeves handled it like a champ, which just makes me admire him even more.
Ansari couldn’t stop gushing about how great Reeves was to work with. He called him a “budget guardian angel,” which is a cute nod to his character, and said having him on board turned the movie into something truly special. “I couldn’t believe it. It just turned the movie into something else, and I was so excited. I’m still excited,” he shared with EW. It sounds like Reeves brought a spark to the set that even Ansari didn’t see coming.
The plot of Good Fortune has that classic comedy feel—think chaotic life-swapping with a dash of heavenly intervention. Reeves’ Gabriel usually handles small stuff like saving people from texting while driving, but he gets a big chance to help Arj learn that money isn’t everything. Of course, things go hilariously off the rails, and with Rogen’s humor, Ansari’s clever writing, and Reeves’ charm, it’s going to be a blast.
This isn’t Ansari’s first go at directing a feature film, though. He was working on Being Mortal back in 2022, but it got shelved after some issues involving Bill Murray. Ansari didn’t let that stop him—he pivoted to Good Fortune, bringing along Rogen, a good friend, and Palmer from the earlier project. Adding Reeves to the mix was the cherry on top, and it seems like the whole cast had amazing chemistry.
With the release just a few months away from today, May 30, 2025, fans are also buzzing about Reeves’ other projects. He’s got Ballerina, the John Wick spinoff with Ana de Armas, coming out in June, which ties into the same universe Ansari mentioned. There’s also talk of John Wick 5, though Reeves has been pretty straightforward when asked about that lately. It’s a packed year for him, and Good Fortune gives us a chance to see him in a fun, comedic role.
Ansari’s excitement is totally contagious, and you can tell he feels so lucky to have worked with someone as iconic as Reeves. With its mix of laughs, heart, and an awesome cast, Good Fortune is shaping up to be a great time at the movies. So, mark October 17 on your calendar—I’ll definitely be there to see how this angelic comedy plays out!