How was “Matrix” actor Keanu Reeves tricked into filming a movie?

Keanu Reeves is famous in Hollywood as a dedicated and responsible actor with each role. And his dedication to the profession is also shown in the time he was tricked into filming a movie because someone else forged his signature – a story that seems unbelievable but is completely true.

Dedication to the profession has become Keanu Reeves’ trademark in Hollywood. The actor has been involved in action movies for a long time, since the movie “Point Break” (1991). Nearly 30 years have passed, Keanu Reeves is still persistently pursuing roles in action movies even at the age of 54.

Looking back at Keanu Reeves’ career, it is hard not to admire the meticulous preparation he has put into his roles, so that every time Reeves appears on the silver screen, the audience feels he is worthy. with their time. Below are behind-the-scenes stories about Keanu Reeves’ dedication to the roles he takes on.

“Speed” (Speed ​​- 1994)

Keanu Reeves plays Jack Traven in the movie “Speed” (Speed ​​- 1994)

But when filming began, the actor was a little worried about the action scenes he had to undertake. At that time, one of his friends – actor River Phoenix (1970-1993) – had just passed away from drug overdose. This had a certain impact on Reeves’ psychology on set.

However, after participating in the film, Reeves began to fully engage in acting. When filming the scene where his character jumps from a convertible onto a fast-moving bus, Reeves decided to do the scene himself so the camera could get close-ups of the stunt without You need to use a long shot to avoid revealing the stuntman.

Reeves had to practice this scene a lot not only on set but also in secret arrangements he arranged himself to gain more confidence before filming the scene. It was he who encouraged director De Bont when he was too worried that something unexpected might happen in the action scene.

Reeves affirmed that he could perform this dangerous scene himself, and indeed when viewers saw him on the silver screen, they knew it was really Reeves, not a stuntman taking over for him. Director De Bont later shared that he felt like he was going to have a heart attack when he saw Reeves perform this scene.

“The Matrix” (The Matrix – 1999)

Keanu Reeves plays Neo in the movie “The Matrix” (The Matrix – 1999)

Before Reeves received the film’s script, the Wachowski director sisters asked Reeves to read academic science books on psychology, engineering, economics – society… Keanu Reeves and friends Actors are required to have an understanding of the world that “The Matrix” presents. Then the physical training begins.

Famous Chinese martial arts director Yuen Woo-ping was invited to create the fight scenes in the film. Reeves began learning “wire-fu” martial arts, a mixture of kungfu and the use of cables to assist actors in acting.

While practicing, he suffered a neck injury that affected the spine in the neck area and had not fully recovered when the movie officially began filming. As the audience saw, Keanu Reeves can still perfectly perform martial arts moves in his role.

“John Wick” (Life for Life – 2014)

Keanu Reeves in “John Wick” (2014)

The action scenes in “John Wick” are always very impressive, thanks in part to the actor’s careful preparation. Keanu Reeves invited former collaborators who participated in the movie “Matrix” project to come up with ideas for the action scenes in the movie “John Wick”.

Actors Daniel Bernhardt, Randall Duk Kim, director Chad Stahelski and film producer David Leitch all worked with Keanu Reeves on the set of “The Matrix”. Together, they came up with ideas for new action scenes.

For his part, Keanu Reeves spent eight hours practicing martial arts, driving and shooting regularly every day for four months to prepare for the role. Meanwhile, filming activities for the movie only lasted… two months.

“Point Break” (1991)

Keanu Reeves plays Johnny Utah in the movie “Point Break” (1991)

To prepare for his landmark role in “Point Break”, Keanu Reeves spent a lot of time surfing with a professional athlete. Reeves and co-stars Patrick Swayze and Lori Petty spent a month on the island of Kauai practicing with the athlete who took on the task of being their surfing instructor.

Before that, Reeves had never even touched a surfboard, but after this movie, he began to consider surfing as a hobby in life. Although in this film, the person who really devoted himself to his role was Patrick Swayze, he refused to use a stuntman in the surfing scenes and broke two ribs on set.

“The Watcher” (2000)

Keanu Reeves plays Griffin in “The Watcher” (2000)

Keanu Reeves once shared with The Guardian that he never agreed to appear in “The Watcher”, but was forced to act when his assistant forged his signature. The incident made him decide to participate in acting instead of having to enter into a “messy” lawsuit that takes time and effort.

In the movie, he plays an assassin. The miserable thing for Reeves is that after he gave in, this role from a supporting role was immediately “stuffed” with additional scenes and dialogue to become a supporting role. Considering Reeves’ forced situation, the fact that he was still able to act seriously instead of giving up in “The Watcher” was enough to show his “heart for the profession”.