There was good reason Keanu Reeves was soft-peddling his recent serial-killer movie The Watcher.

Reeves did no press for the film.

It seems that a decade ago, when he was still a struggling actor rather than a superstar, Reeves came across the script by novice director Joe Charbanic.

Reeves was impressed with the small role of the killer and agreed to do it to help Charbanic raise money for the film.

Reeves assumed the picture would be a little independent movie, so he signed for a very modest fee.

Not only did the budget for The Watcher balloon over the years, but so did the scope of the killer's role. The only thing that remained constant was Reeves' salary.

His co-stars James Spader and Marisa Tomei actually made more than he did.

That was not the case on Reeves' The Replacements and Sweet November, which were both produced by Steve Reuther, who also produced Pay it Forward, which opens Friday.

Reeves reportedly received $11 million US for each of those films.

"Whatever we actually paid him, Keanu is worth every penny," says Reuther.

"The Matrix turned him into a huge international star and cemented his very strong base with young women -- a demographic every filmmaker wants to reach," replains Reuther.

"He and Charlize Theron are delicious together in Sweet November. I haven't seen that kind of screen chemistry since Richard Gere and Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman."

Reuther produced Pretty Woman.

Here is video of interviews with actors, directors and technicians of films, including the "upcoming Keanu Reeves thriller "Driven" (currently titled "The Watcher").

As a motion picture continues filming in Yuma, spottings of actor Keanu Reeves have been reported but cannot be verified.

One gossip Web site reported that Reeves is in town filming a movie, but producer Carol Kottenbrook said that Reeves is not part of her movie, "The Forsaken," currently being filmed in Yuma.

There was speculation that Reeves is here filming a portion of the movie "The Watcher," scheduled for release in September.

But the assistant production developer from Interlight Pictures, which is producing that movie, said no scenes from "The Watcher" are or were being shot in Yuma.

Kottenbrook doesn't want any details released about "The Forsaken" until all the "bureaucratic channels" have been gone through and would not release any other information to The Sun.

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The Watcher (aka. Driven): 'Tim' is back with more on that Keanu Reeves project shooting in Arizona:

"I was finally able to identify the movie....The Watcher (formally known as Driven). I was told that primary shooting was scheduled for a late December, early January 2000 completion date in Chicago; yet here it is late May in Yuma, and still 5 weeks left to shoot (they probably had to stop for Keanu's other work). This is director Joe Charbanic's first major film (he's directed at least 3 rock videos), so perhaps being on budget and on time did not happen in this case. The premise of the movie (sorry if this is already known to you) is that serial killer Keanu wants to lure out retired homicide detective James Spader by leaving clues as to who his next victim will be. Apparently, the two protagonists have a shared history going back 8 years. Marisa Tomei also stars."

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The Watcher (aka. Driven)?: Shooting is scheduled to continue for the next 4-5 weeks in the small Arizona town of Yuma on a major motion picture which no-one, not even the local press are allowed to know any details about except for the fact Keanu Reeves is in town and at work on it. 'Sean' hears both the Ramada Inn and the local hospital are to be used as locations in the movie, as might the nearby marine base. Thanks also to 'Tim' & 'Cathy'.

Keanu Reeves Project (The Watcher/Sweet November)?: Shooting is scheduled to continue for the next 4-5 weeks in the small Arizona town of Yuma on a major motion picture which no-one, not even the local press are allowed to know any details about except for the fact Keanu Reeves is in town and at work on it. 'Sean' hears both the Ramada Inn and the local hospital are to be used as locations in the movie, as might the nearby marine base. Thanks also to 'Tim' & 'Cathy'.

Driven(?): "Filming is continuing in Yuma Arizona on a major picture starring Keenu Reaves. While no info is yet available to the local populace on title, plot, other stars. etc., Keenu himself has been spotted around town on several occasions. (driving the girls wild in the process). Local paper MAY have some info, but is being very closed-mouthed about the whole thing. VERY frustrating, to be sure."

The Watcher (aka. Driven)?: Shooting is scheduled to continue for the next 4-5 weeks in the small Arizona town of Yuma on a major motion picture which no-one, not even the local press are allowed to know any details about except for the fact Keanu Reeves is in town and at work on it. 'Sean' hears both the Ramada Inn and the local hospital are to be used as locations in the movie, as might the nearby marine base. Thanks also to 'Tim' & 'Cathy'.

From American Film Market

In the highest-profile sale of this year's American Film Market, Universal Pictures late Sunday afternoon outbid a number of aggressive majors for the North American rights to Interlight Pictures' "Driven." The studio plans to release the movie later this year.

Helmed by Joe Charbanic, pic stars James Spader and Marisa Tomei, with Keanu Reeves in a smaller role. Film is a thriller centering on a retired FBI agent (Spader) with a tortured past who is trying to restore his sanity in modern-day Chicago. Reeves portrays a serial killer. David Elliot penned the script.

Driven emerged as the hottest title of the AFM, a market extraordinarily sluggish for domestic sales. The frenzy was especially unusual in that Driven? is not a finished film. The pic, now in post, sold from a promo reel and a rough edit.

Chris Eberts, Elliott Lewitt and Jeff Rice produced the film; Interlight principals Patrick Choi and Nile Niami served as executive producers with Paul Pompian. John Crededio was the co-executive producer.

Interlight has produced and sold such movies as the Patriot,? starring Steven Segal. They are currently in pre-production on White Jazz,? starring Nick Nolte and John Cusack, written by James Ellroy and to be directed by Bob Richardson.

Interlight has end of the pact was negotiated by Jeremy Lappin, head of business affairs for the shingle, along with Phil Davis of Mitchell, Silverberg and Knupp.

HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - An unfinished thriller starring James Spader, Marisa Tomei and Keanu Reeves was the subject of a studio bidding war Sunday, with Universal Pictures emerging victorious.

The studio paid financier Interlight Pictures an undisclosed sum for North American rights to the film, and plans to release it later this year. The bidding took place at the annual American Film Market, where independent producers display their wares to potential buyers.

Directed by Joe Charbanic, ``Driven'' centers on a retired FBI agent (Spader) who is trying to restore his sanity in modern-day Chicago. Reeves has a small role as a serial killer. The picture, now in post-production, sold from a promo reel and a rough edit.

Reuters/Variety