Speed | Behind-The-Scenes When Speed was under development at Paramount Pictures, Jeff Speakman was originally attached to star in the lead role. However, after the project was acquired by 20th Century Fox, Speakman was dropped. Stephen Baldwin was initially offered the role of Jack Traven but declined, citing the character’s similarity to John McClane from Die Hard (1988). Richard Grieco also turned down the role, later expressing regret over his decision. Other actors considered for the part i