Jan de Bont’s “Speed” is one of the foremost movies of the 1990s. The fast-paced action thriller’s plot sees a packed city passenger bus rigged to explode by a deranged, vengeful, extortionist former bomb squad expert if its speed drops below 50 miles per hour (80 kilometers per hour).
The film stars Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock, and Dennis Hopper, along with a talented and experienced supporting cast of actors.
A huge box office success — it grossed around $283 million globally, having cost $30 million to make (per The Numbers) — “Speed” is still highly thought of and boasts a hugely impressive 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Released in the United States on June 10, 1994, “Speed” will turn 32 years old this year. With that in mind, wouldn’t it be great to compare the cast as they were back then to how they are now? Let’s do exactly that…
Keanu Reeves (Jack Traven)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Keanu Reeves in “Speed.”
Canadian actor and musician Keanu Reeves played Jack Traven in “Speed.” Jack is the heroic LAPD SWAT officer who boards the rigged bus and tries to defuse the bomb while desperately keeping the vehicle above 50 miles per hour.
Age when “Speed” released: 29.
Selected movie credits before “Speed”: Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989), My Own Private Idaho (1991), Point Break (1991).
GettyAge now: 61.
Selected movie credits after “Speed”: The Devil’s Advocate (1997), The Matrix (1999), Constantine (2005).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Sandra Bullock (Annie Porter)
Above is a social media post with five pictures of Sandra Bullock on the “Speed” press tour in 1994.
Academy Award-winning actress and producer Sandra Bullock played Annie Porter in “Speed.” Annie is resourceful passenger on the bus who ends up driving it after the original driver gets injured. She becomes Jack’s key ally and ultimately his love interest in the movie.
Age when “Speed” released: 29.
Selected movie credits before “Speed”: Love Potion No. 9 (1992), The Thing Called Love (1993), Demolition Man (1993).
Above is a 2026 social media post with three pictures of Sandra Bullock in January this year.
Age now: 61.
Selected movie credits after “Speed”: Miss Congeniality (2000), Ocean’s 8 (2018), Bird Box (2018).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Dennis Hopper (Howard Payne)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Dennis Hopper (R) alongside Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock on the set of “Speed.”
Actor, filmmaker, photographer and visual artist Dennis Hopper played Howard Payne in “Speed.” Howard is a brilliant but deranged and vengeful former bomb squad expert and the movie’s main antagonist. He rigs the explosives on the bus, and taunts and extorts the authorities.
Age when “Speed” released: 58.
Selected movie credits before “Speed”: Easy Rider (1969), Apocalypse Now (1979), True Romance (1993).
GettyAge now: Sadly passed away in 2010 aged 75.
Selected movie credits after “Speed”: Waterworld (1995), EDtv (1999), Land of the Dead (2005).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Jeff Daniels (Harry Temple)
Screen and stage actor Jeff Daniels played Harry Temple in “Speed.” Harry is Jack’s partner and fellow detective, who helps to investigate Howard Payne’s identity and pinpoint his location.
Age when “Speed” released: 44.
Selected movie credits before “Speed”: The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985), Arachnophobia (1990), Gettysburg (1993).
GettyAge now: 70.
Selected movie credits after “Speed”: Dumb and Dumber (1994), The Martian (2015), Steve Jobs (2015).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Joe Morton (Herb “Mac” McMahon)
Above is a social media post with several pictures of Joe Morton. The second one down on the right shows him in “Speed.”
Joe Morton played Herb “Mac” McMahon in “Speed.” Mac is an LAPD lieutenant and Jack’s commanding officer who coordinates the response to the bomb situation from the ground.
Age when “Speed” released: 46.
Selected movie credits before “Speed”: …And Justice for All (1979), Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), Of Mice and Men (1992).
GettyAge now: 78.
Selected movie credits after “Speed”: What Lies Beneath (2000), Ali (2001), Justice League (2017).
Filmography info per IMDb.
“Speed” spawned a sequel — “Speed 2: Cruise Control” — which released on June 13, 1997. Sandra Bullock was the only returning star. However, it was a commercial flop and was critically panned.
While it’s great seeing the majority of the core “Speed” cast still thriving, it’s sad knowing not all of them are still around.
May Dennis Hopper rest in eternal peace.
