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Keanu Reeves. Ask me, if you want, almost anything.
Hi reddit. Keanu Reeves here. You probably know me from way back in the past, River's Edge, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, Point Break, SPEED, The Devil's Advocate, The Matrix Trilogy, A Scanner Darkly, My Own Private Idaho, and others, plus my latest film Man of Tai Chi.
I look forward to speaking about them all. And others. AMAA.
Pre-proof tweet (since I don't use social media) https://twitter.com/radiustwc/status/391581880002174976
I have to go now, but it was lovely to spend some time with all of you on a Sunday afternoon. Thank you. And for those of you who would like to hear it, for you... Whoa.
_KeanuReeves3256 karma
I thought the one of the ultimate expressions of "whoa" was in the first Matrix...
The "whoa" was wonderful in the Matrix.
BattleChimp2738 karma
Mr Reeves, giving your pay to the original crew and techs of The Matrix was the most noble thing I've ever heard of a film professional doing, and I really hope one day I have the chance to do something as fine and affirming for deserving people around me. Crew and FX people really don't get enough credit. Anyway, I know that the Wachowski siblings are very private, but I deeply love their art and think their insights in to storytelling and filmmaking are fascinating, and I was hoping you could tell us some interesting or funny anecdotes from when you were working with them or maybe tell us something, professional or personal, that you took away from your time with them. Lana and Andy are simply my favorite moviemakers. I think they're lightyears beyond everyone else, particularly in terms of understanding the viewer's perception of meaning in storytelling, and I'd love to hear about them from your perspective.
I've always wanted to tell you that when hear about us "making fun of you" on the internet, in honesty it is a reflection of how much we admire you. We all love you, even the people that may dislike your movies. We love you even more knowing that you understand that we're just having good, clean fun. I've never seen a distasteful meme involving you. It's actually rather remarkable how reverent memes involving you have remained. You may be the only person able to make such a claim. Keep being a good person and keep trying to find that perfect sandwich. I can't think of a more worthwhile endeavor. If I could spend a typical uneventful day with any actor, it would be you. Every time I'm eating an amazing sandwich, I think of you and appreciate the day more and the sandwich becomes just that little bit better. You're like my sandwich Shiva. Seriously, you're the man. If I ever open a sandwich shop it will be in your honor and named after you and I will make the best sandwiches anyone has ever had.
Finally, did you see Hot Fuzz and what types of roles are you looking forward to as you get further in to your career? Are there any specific characters you would like to play?
_KeanuReeves3101 karma
I agree. Lana and Andy are not only creators of inspirational works of art, but are also wonderful and inspiring people. Their heart and soul and thought that goes into their work has a compassion for the human condition, and seeks to create a better world and to help us be on the path of doing that. They also both have a wonderful sense of humor. They are very funny. They are not really jokesters, but I remember one time in the scene where Neo and Trinity are going into the lobby, trying to save Morpheus, and I was looking at the set and turned to Lana and Andy and said "so what does this mean?" you know, enjoying how the lobby looked and its architecture and the intention of the set we were about to destroy through gunplay. And Lana went on a 2 minute riff about structure, form, architecture, the idea of power and control being manifested through this room, and continued on about how this was part of the breaking down of these structures and Andy said "yeah there's a lot of straight lines." And that to me was funny.
Why thank you very much. You know, it's always great to sit and have a great sandwich. Life is good when you have a good sandwich.
I have not seen Hot Fuzz yet! And the roles that I am looking to play, I've got a project that I've been developing for over six or seven years. It's a role I am looking forward to playing, it's called "Passengers." And in that film I play a character named Jim, who wakes up on a spaceship with five other people planning to homestead. He wakes up too soon, ninety years before arriving. What does he do?
_KeanuReeves4125 karma
For a long time in Los Angeles when I first moved there, when I was 20 years old, it was such a new world and so I saw some guys at a gas station once who had hockey equipment in their car, and I asked them what they were doing, and they said they were playing street hockey, so I asked them if I could play. So I became involved in a street hockey game that took place every weekend for over 10 years, every weekend, red versus black. We would take holidays off and sometimes summers, but the game was going on for over 10 years. That was cool to be a part of. It was a cool thing to have happen. Made some friends.
_KeanuReeves3486 karma
I think that a picture can tell a thousand words, and none of them can be right. Or true. I'm absolutely a very happy person.
lesi202259 karma
Greetings Mr. Reeves! Do you still planning to do the Cowboy Bepop movie?
Or Bill & Ted 3?! That would be Excellent
Edit. Again, Thanks for answering. This AMA is... See you, Space Cowboy
_KeanuReeves3104 karma
Cowboy Bebop does not look like it is going to happen with me in it. The script that was written was great and amazing, but it would cost like half a billion dollars to make it, and while I wished and hoped I would have done that project, we are working on trying to get Bill & Ted 3. There's a script and we are trying to put it together.
anakinmcfly2249 karma
You've played 8 characters named variants of John: Johnny Utah, John Constantine, Johnny Mnemonic, Jonathan Harker, Don John, John Proctor, John Wall and now John Wick. What's with all the Johns? Coincidence, or something more?
_KeanuReeves2939 karma
You know, I was thinking that just the other day... as I was going to set for John Wick. I was actually counting them as well. I think there's something, for some reason, the name John is attractive to storytellers to hang their characters on.
Espon1232210 karma
Hey Mister Reeves could you give me a virtual high five? Cause you know, it would be pretty awesome. Raises hand in the air waiting
_KeanuReeves3358 karma
AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!
Here's some: Taxi Driver, Apocalypse Now, A Clockwork Orange, Stroszek.
papasmurf8262001 karma
You’ve done The Matrix movies. You’ve done Man of Tai Chi. With that being said, what is your favorite martial art?
_KeanuReeves2552 karma
You know, I love all martial arts. I don't practice any particular form or style, but yeah, I don't have a favorite.
_KeanuReeves2572 karma
But it was great during the making of Man of Tai Chi, to spend time with the leading man Tiger, who has studied Tai Chi since he was a kid, and it was great to talk about how we could bring some of the ideas of Tai Chi into the story of Man of Tai Chi, and some of the philosophies.
MadeAccForKeanusAMA1908 karma
Hi Keanu!
I'd like to start off by saying that I LOVED constantine. It also introduced me to A Perfect Circle, which has since been one of my favourite bands. Which leads me to the question...
What kind of music do you listen to, and which song is stuck in your head right now, if any at all?
Thanks for reading!
_KeanuReeves2780 karma
The music I'm listening to right now? Let's see, I just got the new Nine Inch Nails recording. I really like this other band Metz, just got their first album which was great. And I've been listening to a song that I really like from LCD soundsystem, and the song is "Someone Great."
gulpeg3082 karma
Hey Keanu. In 1993 I went to LA, and on my way back from illegally visiting the Hollywood sign, I accidentally landed in your yard. Metallica was blaring on your stereo as you were fixing your Norton motorcycle. I asked you for the quickest way out to get a cab, and you pointed towards your fence. My friend and I were a little star struck, and just stood there. You said that you'd offer us a ride, but showed your dirty hands to show you were busy. I then asked you if you were the guy from Bill and Ted's and you replied with a "kyaaa".
I know it was a short interaction, and I was most likely bothering you, but I still wanted to thank you for that..
I also remember your garage door windows were spray painted with "merry Christmas" and "Joyeux Noel"
Edit: just remembered it was a Norton motorcycle
HansBlixJr1900 karma
burden of fame question: if a fan sees you on the street, does a quick 'hi keanu' bother you? what about a stop and chat? would you prefer people see you and then not bother you at all?
_KeanuReeves2878 karma
It's always nice to say hi to folks. You know, it really depends on the moment. Sometimes you have the time to hang out, and other times you don't. But yeah, it's always nice to say hi.
jdm02121603 karma
Hey, Keanu! What was your reaction when you first saw your face on a meme?
_KeanuReeves2783 karma
My first experience with that was Sad Keanu, and I thought it was funny!
_KeanuReeves2360 karma
AUGHHH that's a tough question! Today I will start with "Enter the Dragon" as the source. "Fist of Legend." "Tai Chi Master."
schizoidone1493 karma
Point Break is one of my favorite movies and I've seen it countless times. Got any interesting behind the scenes stories?
Thanks for the AMA. Love your work.
_KeanuReeves2227 karma
Point Break! Mmmm. Let's see, interesting stories...you know, it was an exciting film to be a part of. Kathryn Bigelow the director really wanted to push the boundaries of what actors could do and with the camera, trying to put the audience and inspire the audience of viewers with the environments, so the surfing, the skydiving, in a way that even the excitement of a bank robbery. And I think all of the actors and the crew felt that, the fight scenes, so there was a real energy from her that I think came through the picture. And working with the wonderful Patrick Swayze, he really spearheaded that as well in that he was jumping out of airplanes while he was filming, the other actors were jumping out of airplanes, I was getting to go surfing, everyone was getting into it. No one robbed any banks. The party scene had some partying going on. And I remember actually I was in LA and Kathryn was casting for the female lead and I remember I saw this woman come in driving this old beat up Cadillac and I was to meet actresses that day, and I saw this woman and I said "that's the actress," and it turned out to be Lori Petty, and I was right. And she's amazing.
GreenEskimo1417 karma
Hey Keanu. I have heard that you lived a simple life even though that you have earned a lot of money from your awesome movies. Why is it that you have chosen the path of life like that when you could have been in mason and expensive cars? Second question do you still have contact with some of the people you have made movie with?
_KeanuReeves2537 karma
You know, I've been very fortunate in my life. Which I am grateful for. And I guess it's just to my tastes to keep life as simple as I can.
_KeanuReeves2805 karma
Where do I begin? Here are some. As a kid, we can start with the Count of Monte Christo. We could start with the Lord of the Rings. Then we could get into finding as a teenager getting into Fyodor Dostoyevsky's The Idiot, Notes from Underground, The Brothers Karamazov, we could get into Jim Thompson, we could go into some William Gibson, then we could do In Search of Lost Time by Proust. And then just getting into the works of Philip K. Dick and recently I was reading Don Delillo, Cosmopolis, I like Updike's the Rabbit Series.
sidelikes1107 karma
I just wanted to tell you that Constantine is my all time favorite movie and I loved your interpretation
_KeanuReeves1769 karma
Thank you for that! I mean, I know it's not literal to the source material but I was hoping and I hoped that with the adaptation of the material that I was hoping to keep and was really attracted to the character, he's one of those optimist cynics, he is world-weary but as his core he wishes it was not so, and the burden of knowing too much. So I hope that at its core that we came across to the people who love the original.
Theworst20131074 karma
Do you keep any props or stuff like that from your movies? Like the jacket and sunglasses from The Matrix, or the surf board from Point Break?
_KeanuReeves2025 karma
I have kept a couple of things. I don't have the surfboard, but I think I have a coat from the first Matrix. I have the sword from Hamlet, I kept a lot of working scripts, I have the jersey from The Replacements, I've got Constantine's lighter and watch, I have Bill & Ted's shorts (Ted's shorts), I used to have the leather jacket from My Own Private Idaho but I gave that to a friend. And I think that's it.
Im_an_antelope1070 karma
Hi Keanu, thanks for doing this. Out of all the movies you have been in, what has been your favorite movie to film and why?
Also, did you get to eat any of those meatball subs from Point Break and how were they? Or did Gary Busey eat them all?
_KeanuReeves1738 karma
That is a very difficult question to answer. I've been lucky enough to have many great experiences. I would say in the 80's, River's Edge. I think working on My Own Private Idaho, working on Little Buddha, The Devil's Advocate, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, Johnny Mnemonic, The Matrix Trilogy, Constantine, A Scanner Darkly, Dracula, recently Henry's Crime, Generation Um... let's see, and there's more. I did a film, my first feature in Los Angeles called The Night Before. It was my first lead in LA in the 80s and it was a great experience to start the career off. I'll finish with that.
Gary Busey got the sandwiches. I had to go run and chase the bad guy.
whodoyouVoodoo1022 karma
Hey Keanu, you seem like such a laid back dude, glad you took the time to do this AMA. All I wanted to say is that you seem like a totally awesome dude. Have a good one!
theENERTRON1006 karma
Thank you for some of the greatest action movies of all time.
• Like your life, your movies span many centuries. Which film left the biggest impression on you?
• Is there any chance you and Sandra Bullock could get together for a proper Speed sequel, or at least another action movie?
_KeanuReeves1386 karma
First of all, thank you, I'm glad you like some of the films I've been in. Before the Matrix, Point Break was really my first big break into action movies. And then with SPEED, I was given the opportunity to try, I worked with a wonderful stunt coordinator called Gary Hines who put me under the bus, and let me dangle down elevator shafts, and I think that those two films really helped prepare me for what I was getting into in terms of the Matrix. Definitely when I was going into the Matrix and meeting the Wachowskis, I knew that we were going in to do something that was special. There was four months of training before filming. And the ambition of the project was really exciting to be a part of, and then to actually be on the set and realizing the vision of the directors was one of the special moments of my life.
That sounds GOOD! I would love to be able to do that. I don't think it would be on a SPEED project. But you know, you never know in the future, if there's something we could do.
rickety_cricket66930 karma
You totally still have the phone booth time machine from Bill and teds excellent adventure in your living room don't you?
_KeanuReeves1747 karma
I WISH! That was a rickety phone booth they had. It's lost in time.
jeztwopointoh899 karma
Mr Reeves, lets say.... hypothetically speaking, you saw something extraordinary and it took you aback, what would your reaction be?
Also, imagine if there were no hypothetical situations.
WithForte872 karma
Hey Keanu, thanks for doing this AMA!
Feel free to ignore this question as it's personal, but would you mind sharing your fondest memory of River Pheonix? My Own Private Idaho still remains one of my favorite films; the chemistry between you two was incredible.
Also, I know you played hockey earlier in life but could no longer play do to an injury. Do you still follow hockey at any level? If so, who's your team?
_KeanuReeves1419 karma
He was a remarkable human person and actor. We got along very well, and I miss him. I think of him often.
Yes! Hockey! Injury, my knees are a little beat up, and for a goalie that's tough. Favorite team, I don't really have one.
0ldboy852 karma
Just wanted to say you were the bomb in Sweet November. I'm a man and I cry every time I watch that movie, which is probably too often.
picklmnop826 karma
Do like to air guitar in real life? One of my friends asked this and we've been debating for a while.
_KeanuReeves1893 karma
You know, I'm not an air guitar afficionado. But once in a while, the air guitar comes out. Especially when you first hear (especially for me) that chord or that moment in the song when the electric guitar cuts in, or blazes out, once in a while you just got to strum all those strings in the air.
Withnohalo824 karma
In an industry where so many people lose themselves, how do you keep your soul and stay true to self? You are so generous, kind and such a beautiful spirit, how do you stay grounded? Signed, I've been waiting for the past 20 some years. :)
_KeanuReeves2580 karma
Well thank you for saying that. And it's easy to stay grounded. The ground is very close. And we walk on it every day.
_KeanuReeves1686 karma
I believe the other night we had an eclipse of the moon! Which was cool. In the cities, I wish you could see more of the stars, but I always love when I'm in places where you can see that blanket, that twirling, twinkling. That is one of my favorite things.
STR1K3RJUST1N760 karma
G'day Mr. Reeves!
During your highschool years you loved to play Hockey, and aspired to play for Canada. What made you change paths and become an actor and during your career did you ever consider returning to the sport you played growing up as a child?
Thanks mate, hope you see this.
_KeanuReeves1301 karma
Yes, I played a lot of hockey in Toronto Canada. I always thought it would be cool to play for the Canadian Olympic team. When I was 15, I decided to become an actor. And so I started taking acting classes and doing community theater, and then I played John Proctor in a highschool play called The Crucible, and from that moment I decided - they always ask you when you're coming out of school or university what you want to be, and I knew then that I wanted to become an actor.
DankSpliff745 karma
Do people ever come up to you when you're, say, in an elevator, and quote any of your more renowned lines from the Matirix, Point Break, or Bill & Ted? If so, what's your reaction generally like? Do you ever mess about with your fans and tell them you're actually an FBI agent with a straight face?
I remember going to an LA Avengers arena football game and then all of a sudden, you appeared on the screen and people lost their shit and started cheering because you were there. Is it safe to say you're a fan of arena football?
_KeanuReeves1198 karma
On the street yes, sometimes people call out lines. Which is usually pretty fun. And yeah, my friend actually invited me to that arena football game. It was a good night.
comineeyeaha729 karma
Whenever I see AMAs for celebrities, I never end up having any questions. I just end up wanting to thank them for whatever, and then decide it will get burried so I leave. For you, I'll give it a whirl.
Thank you SO MUCH for giving us so many awesome movies over the years. The Matrix Trilogy pretty much defined my entire movie fandom for most of high school, and a few years beyond. Whenever you're in a movie, I know I can just sit and enjoy myself for a couple hours. You've been a real gem in Hollywood, and I hope you keep at it for a long time.
What's your favorite kind of beer?
Patrick_brk722 karma
Hey Keanu,
My friend had a son last week and named it Keanu, partly after you. Any advice for the little guy?
_KeanuReeves1654 karma
I wish the little fella health and happiness and all that he hopes for!
damienknight659 karma
Given your documented affinity for sandwiches you should check out Alidoro in SoHo and get a Pinocchio on Semolina.
What's your favorite sandwich in NYC?
_KeanuReeves1444 karma
That sounds yummy! You know, I had my first pastrami on rye when I came to New York. That's where I was introduced to pastrami on rye with mustard and russian, with a Coca-cola on crushed ice. And the kosher pickle.
Aethos643 karma
Of all the characters you have portrayed in your movies, which one did you feel was the most like the real you?
_KeanuReeves1375 karma
Mmmmm. When I think of a role, I start with my own life experience and who I am. And I get to meet this character. And I think we come to a third place, which is me and the character and transforming into this third entity to tell the story. So all of these characters have some DNA of mine, I share it with the character.
_KeanuReeves1649 karma
You know, one of the first that I was exposed to was Ghost in the Shell and that was a cool moment to see that.
o0OIDaveIO0o612 karma
Hi Keanu! How do you think your life would be different if you had chosen the 'blue pill'?
_KeanuReeves1282 karma
I think if I had taken the blue pill, it says I would go back to sleep and I would have never known what was happening. Which sounds very depressing. So I'm glad I took the right pill.
Weiner_poopy610 karma
Mr. Reeves, I understand we share a common interest...motorcycles. I also understand that you have created your own? How did this come about, and how is it coming along? From all of your interviews, you seem like a really down to Earth guy. I feel kind of lame for saying this, but I'm a huge fan, and I thank you for your work. Devil's Advocate is one of my favorites out of the many you have done.
_KeanuReeves972 karma
Thank you very much! Yeah, The Devil's Advocate is one of my favorites as well. The Motorcycle Company is called Arch Motorcycles, and I went into partnership with a Los Angeles builder named Gard Hollinger. And we have built a prototype which you can see on the company website, and we are very close to finishing the production model.
Lucy_Smith510 karma
Dying of excitement! You're an absolute idol to me. My question(s) is how was it filming Bill and Ted? Did it excite you or was it a bit tedious? Also, how does it compare to other films you've been in? It's my personal favorite. Thanks for taking the time to do this AMAA!
_KeanuReeves1242 karma
Working on Bill & Ted was certainly an excellent adventure. I love those characters. I love the spirit of the film. I like the eternal goodness of these characters. I always thought of them as beautiful fools. They bring a wonder and naivete to the harsh realities of the world. I found them fun to play, and also working with Alex Winter was a great experience. We shared the same view of these characters and the film, and we had a lot of laughs making those movies. And Alex and I are friends.
tehceiling484 karma
Hi Keanu, loved your most recent film. My question is, what inspired you to direct a film?
_KeanuReeves822 karma
You know, I started to think about directing I guess around 2008? I think it was just through my life experiences, and I've always as an actor thought about the role in the story, and I just found myself starting to think about telling a story. And as I developed the screenplay with Tiger for the five years that we did, I originally was not going to direct, but as we kept working on the story, it kind of filled my vision and my heart, and it became the story that I wanted to tell. And so I directed it.
assplunger449 karma
Hey Keanu! First of, big fan and thanks for doing this AMA! Being a 23y/o male, your movies have been a big part of my life. You are truly one of my absolute favorite actors, hands down. My question: On a serious level, how do you keep looking so young? Putting to rest the speculations on you being a vampire/immortal etc :) Do you have some sort of special diet, training, surgery, or just super awesome genetics?
_KeanuReeves856 karma
Yeah, for me that's something inherited I guess. How does that happen? I don't know. I haven't done anything in particular, I will just go with genetics. I will just thank my mom and dad and then their parents and then their parents.
Foulds28421 karma
While you lived in Toronto what was favourite place to go or hang around? Thanks, for doing the ama!
_KeanuReeves785 karma
There was a really great hamburger place called Licks. I really used to love hanging out by the grade school I used to go to, I played a lot of street hockey and basketball there. We had wonderful parks, Ramsden Park, we had chestnut fights running around Ramsden Park. The Bloor Street Cinema, I would go see movies there. The University Cinema.
josephgordonreddit413 karma
Hey Keanu, big fan of your work. I was lucky enough to see Man of Tai Chi early, and I loved it. A few questions:
Why was there no blood used in Man of Tai Chi during the fight scenes? Was it a stylistic choice?
How far have you progressed with your own martial arts?
What is your favorite breakfast food?
_KeanuReeves1120 karma
There was definitely a choice not to have blood during the fight scenes, part of that choice was because the Chinese censors don't have a rating system, so they don't have PG13 or R. So in order to make it viable to be able to be seen in China, I thought of making the film as a PG13 film. I didn't really feel like it was necessary during the fights. I withheld the blood to other moments, like when people were getting stabbed, like when the villain kills someone.
In real life, I don't know any martial arts. In movie kung fu, I am a fairly "high hand."
You know, let's see, you can't go wrong with some oatmeal and honey. Growing up, when I was a kid, it was like frosted flakes, but the milk has to be cold, the milk with cereal has to be cold. And you can't have too much milk, because you don't want the frosted flakes to get too soggy. You have to eat them before they get too mushy. Also a pain chocolate with a cappucinno. And then you can just go with some toast, with some apricot jam, cappucinno, that sounds pretty good. There's also pancakes with bacon and sliced banana on the side, with maple syrup.
_KeanuReeves865 karma
I first met Dennis Hopper on River's Edge, and Blue Velvet had not come out yet, but he was really open and congenial and you know, it was cool to sit and have lunch with the guy. But he was talking about his work, Frederic Elmes was shooting the River's Edge and he had shot Blue Velvet and Dennis Hopper was sharing the story of the guy he had just finished playing, just off the hook in this film, and I had been really affected by Eraserhead by David Lynch, and he was just really an open, cool, hanging out guy. To me, he is someone I grew up watching and was inspired by in Apocalypse Now and Easy Rider, and then when I got to work with him on SPEED, there was a part of me that was like "i'm doing a fight scene with Dennis Hopper" and I said to myself "My! How extraordinary!"
He was just so open, had a wonderful sense of humor and outlook on life that he shared, so it was really cool to have been in his life.
Gannon-guy390 karma
Keanu i believe that i read somewhere that you have a genius iq level, so why did you go into acting? I mean based on your intelligence you could have done a lot of things. Why acting?
_KeanuReeves1170 karma
I've actually never had my IQ tested! And you know, in terms of acting, it was just something that caught me from such a young age. In a way I had no choice because it was the choice.
dk_masi389 karma
Hey Keanu, what did you have for breakfast?
I'm curious, how well travelled are you? Any specific countries/region that you would love to visit again? Why?
My family's from the Philippines. It's a beautiful country. You should visit someday. Great beaches.
Lastly, how was it working with the late Patrick Swayze? Point Break was awesome.
_KeanuReeves776 karma
I've had the opportunity to travel to a few places. I've never been to Africa, or the Middle East, and I haven't been to Brazil, I haven't really been to South America, I haven't been to any of the ice caps, I think it would be great to go to the North and South Pole. And cross the Sahara.
That sounds GOOD!
_KeanuReeves918 karma
It's been a lovely day. I like Sundays. Sunday is the day of rest. I am currently working on a film and we were shooting nights, so I got to sleep in a little bit. It's been a quiet morning. I am looking forward to going to work tomorrow. So it was nice just to rest a little bit, and then to start to look at the script, and get ready for work on Monday.
YesIAmTheOne326 karma
Dear Keanu. I am a great fan of the Matrix trilogy. I was wondering if your life has changed in a philosophical way since you acted in these movies? For instance; were you aware of these brains-in-a-vat theories before you acted in the movies? And do you feel the Matrix theory has affected your general view on life in a good or bad way? Kind regards from one of your fans P.S. you are very attractive ;)
_KeanuReeves658 karma
See, I believe there are some black and white films where they have Frankenstein brains in a vat. Maybe the first brain I saw was in Mel Brook's Young Frankenstein? Certainly the Matrix Trilogy, I shared so much of the thoughts and perspectives of the story from the writers and directors, and I really loved the moment when the character that I played when he comes up to the moment where he asks the head of the Machines, the Deus Ex Machina, asks him (Neo) what does he want and my character says "Peace" and I thought that was wonderful and really something that I agree with, that for all sentient beings this idea of peace.
Husty239 karma
How has shooting 47 ronin been? any fun stories or anything you could share Keanu-sama?
_KeanuReeves437 karma
You know, shooting 47 Ronin was a great experience. It's a story that is very special and close to the Japanese actors, and I could feel that and respected that during the course of the filmmaking. And it brought another element to the filming, it heightened it even more than it usually is. Which was great.
hihihahahi216 karma
Hi, Keanu.
You seem like a very interesting individual. What is your life philosophy? Do you follow Taoism or Buddhism at all?
If a random stranger asks for advice, what would you say?
Thanks!
_KeanuReeves640 karma
Advice is tough. If I am asked for advice I will do the best I can. But I always start off by saying first off "I hate giving advice." In some way, there's a responsibility to advice that I am scared of. But I will give advice. Especially on more practical things. Like practical advice I'm much more comfortable with. Life advice, not so much. What does your heart say? What do you hope to have happen? How are you doing? If something is hurting you, why and how and how can it be changed? I have had some exposure to Buddhism and some exposure to the Dao, and they certainly have influenced my thought, the experience of compassion and permanence, the idea of the nature of being alive.
bcbill216 karma
Hi Keanu. You’ve played a former Ohio State quarterback in two of your movies. Are you a fan of/ do you have any connection to the team?
_KeanuReeves458 karma
It's a happy accident, I have nothing to do with that, it just happened.
_KeanuReeves612 karma
It's a tough question. Today I will choose: at that intersection of Hollywood and Gower, the car's not going to stop for the yellow light, so don't go through there.
MagnumPunk187 karma
Who is a director you'd like to work with in the future? Any genres you'd be really interested in doing?
_KeanuReeves518 karma
Today I will choose Martin Scorsese. Steve McQueen. David Fincher. I'd love to work with Rebecca Miller again.
I'd love to do a Western. And also a musical.
firebathero185 karma
Hi Keanu, big fan. Just one question,
What's your favorite TV show? Thanks!
_KeanuReeves653 karma
You know, I don't have a favorite TV show, but I do know that I love watching The Olympics. Whenever the Olympics are on, I just love watching them, the moments that you get these incredible athletes dedicating so much of their lives to the moments that happen in the Olympics, and it is great to be able to witness that.
_KeanuReeves508 karma
Apples and oranges. I'm going to say some days cats, some days dogs. Depends on the cats and dogs you meet.
blueeyedandserious139 karma
Heya, thanks for all the great entertainment and more so for becoming a good example of someone visibly evolving over time. No questions here, just wanted to say that overall you seem like a funny, entertaining, intelligent and cool guy who has made a lot of entertaining movies. You've no doubt, even counting films alone, influenced a large number of people positively.
_KeanuReeves230 karma
Thank you for that! And it has always been my hope to be a part of works of art that entertain and that people can come away with something more or positive as they walked out of the dark into the world.
fourthepeople138 karma
Keanu, when you began acting, did you have any idea how successful you would become? When did you realize things were taking off in terms of your career, was there a single moment? What do you believe sets apart the successful and those who aren't, in your industry at least?
Also for fun: can you describe a typical day at home?
_KeanuReeves315 karma
No, starting out, when I first had my professional work when I was 15, I just had the courage of youth, and the passion for what I wanted to do. I did not know, I had no expectations, I just felt I would be able to do it. I left home when I was 18, and I didn't know what was going to happen. I went from Toronto to Los Angeles, I've had breaks, first I got a role in an American movie of the week that was shot in Canada with Lindsay Wagner that helped me get an agent in LA, to make that jump going from Toronto to Los Angeles and Hollywood, I got my first car and drove from Toronto to LA. I don't know the answer to what sets apart the successful. You definitely need passion and perseverance, and as an actor, unless you are creating your own material, it's up to other people. You audition for work and if you have other opportunities where you can create or you can get asked to do work, it's up to other people.
My typical day when I am not working is usually working on working, so I have a production company, so I work on developing other stories and other projects, hopefully get to spend some time with some friends, hopefully get to see a movie or a play or something. In between jobs I am either working on working or trying to spend time with friends and family.
loltoneh126 karma
Hi Mr. Keanu Reeves,
I don't really have much to say or ask (silly seeing as how this is an AMA). I just wanted to fully use the power of the internet to get a chance at saying hi to you, so here it is. Hope you have a blessed day!
kellmabelle125 karma
I'm in a production of Much Ado About Nothing at the moment- can you tell me what it was like being in the movie? What did you like about the story, your part in it, the general experience? I enjoyed your portrayal of Don John very much, and I would love to hear about it!
_KeanuReeves269 karma
You know, we made that in a villa in Greve, Italy, and some of the cast was living together, we had this one house, it was great to be working on Shakespeare with Ken, he gave me a voice lesson way back in the beginning, he introduced me to a wonderful vocal teacher, Cicely Barry, and it was interesting to work on a naturalistic approach to the text and the playing of it. I wish I could have played more of the role from the play of Don John! It was a great summer. There was romance, and intrigue both in front of the camera and behind. Sometimes life imitates art. Good luck with your production.
rhetorichopslop113 karma
We're all familiar with your work on screen, but do you make time for the stage at all? Are there any specific roles, Shakespeare or otherwise, that you yearn to play?
_KeanuReeves226 karma
Yeah, I mean I haven't been onstage since 1997 I think...I think about it often, actually. I would love to work with Richard Maxwell from the New York City players, and I would love the chance to play Macbeth.
practicalbatman110 karma
Hi Keanu! What's your favorite piece of real and fictional technology?
_KeanuReeves284 karma
I think the fictional one that would be interesting for my living world would be a time machine. I think it would be fun to be able to go back, or forward. And practical piece of technology, I am very grateful for the printing press and everything that has followed. Electricity is pretty great too.
Kindestchains100 karma
When preparing for Man of Tai Chi which style did yous look into for the movie. On a side, if you have the time/inclination I'd be interested to hear your opinions on tai chi (either as a whole as 1 of the internal martial arts or as the fragmented disagreeing sects it is made of).
_KeanuReeves196 karma
For Man of Tai Chi, the protagonist Tiger, we decided to not use a particular form of Tai Chi so we didn't use Yang or Chen style. We used elements from all of those, different schools and forms of Tai Chi, and we called it Ling Kong Tai Chi, because we wanted the idea of this character wanting to create his own style and not to make it so specific to one style to keep it open.
essaloniki100 karma
If you could say only one phrase-suggestion for the new generation what it would be?
Also, is Constantine 2 gonna happen?
_KeanuReeves293 karma
"It's going to be different, it's going to be better, it's up to us, cuz they're not doing it"
I hope it does, I hope it can, but it does not look like it will. But I certainly loved playing the role, and I hope that maybe it will happen, but the people responsible for that did not pursue it.
xkillmequickx91 karma
Hi Keanu. When can we expect Point Break 2? I need more Johnny Utah in my life.
_KeanuReeves191 karma
I believe that there's a group of people that do Point Break Live in LA, and a couple other cities. I think they will do a new Point Break, but I am not a part of it. There are plans to do another one. And Point Break Live you get to play Johnny Utah in a stage version of it, and it sounds like a lot of fun.
marthastuart79 karma
Thank you for doing this bodacious AmA Keanu!
My question is in your film, Side By Side, you never took a stance for dv or film which do you prefer and why?
_KeanuReeves154 karma
Yeah the documentary was exploring different opinions and feelings about digital and film and came to a place that ultimately it is for whatever the storyteller wants to use. It's really about the story. For me, I made the documentary because I was interested and concerned about what was going to happen to film, as I looked around and saw that digital was replacing film. So I started off being a fan of film. Through the course of the documentary and as technology as gotten better, I miss film and it is very special and unique, but I have also come to the feeling that digital technology is coming to a place that can also tell the story and can be beautiful in its way.
_KeanuReeves154 karma
No! the band is broken up. It was a great run. And we had a lot of fun and a great experience. But classically we have moved.
_KeanuReeves102 karma
I do like Breaking Bad. I really enjoyed that series. The performances, the writing, the setup and the cinema, the storytelling. It was very engaging.
_KeanuReeves51 karma
You know, it's classics like Goodfellas, Apocalypse Now, anything by Stanley Kubrick or David Lean or Frank Capra. Anything by Scorsese. Let's start with those.
keanu_reeve2741 karma
Keanu, this is you, 4 years from now. Pay attention to this as the consequences of your actions may create a chain reaction potentially annihilating the current theories of the meaning of life. I could not find any other way to reach you without being taken seriously and in consequence causing R-Day to happen unintentionally. Read this carefully: Do not say "whoa" in here. I REPEAT. DO NOT SAY "whoa" ON REDDIT.
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