Keanu Reeves has built a successful career spanning decades, earning praise for his versatility and authentic personality. However, even the most famous stars face the unavoidable passage of time. The 58-year-old renowned for his electrifying performances in blockbusters like The Matrix and John Wick confronts the reality of physical limitations.
Once capable of awe-inspiring on-screen stunts, he now wrestles with the inability to replicate the skill that defined his earlier roles.
Keanu Reeves Has Lost Two of The Matrix Action Moves
Keanu Reeves, the renowned actor behind iconic roles like Neo in The Matrix trilogy, had reached a point in his career where age has taken its toll.
Reeves found himself unable to perform two specific action moves that had once defined his The Matrix persona, a film known for its intense running, action, and fight scenes.
As his collection of action skills grew, the artist admitted that he had lost two of them. During an interview with Willie Geist for his Sitdown podcast in 2019, overlapping with the release of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, Reeves disclosed the skills he no longer possessed from his The Matrix days.
The Matrix revolutionized American science fiction with its introduction of Hong Kong-style wirework, allowing Reeves to perform gravity-defying feats like mid-air kicks or running up walls and flipping. However, it was the simpler things that were no longer within his wheelhouse. The actor disclosed,
“I can’t run. It’s more about recovery. I would say that’s the biggest difference. I would say recovery and running, but with experience though, you become more efficient. Hopefully, you get better at what you’re doing.”
As the actor mentioned, it is notable that in The Matrix’s memorable chase sequence, the Speed star’s character fled to the tunnel, which led to his eventual meeting with Agent Smith.
In contrast, John Wick’s character didn’t rely heavily on fleeing; instead, he stayed and engaged in combat.
Nevertheless, Reeves had undergone extensive training and performed numerous stunts in The Matrix, always pushing himself to take his roles to the next level, including mastering martial arts.
Keanu Reeves Was Actually Pulling Off His The Matrix Stunts
In action-packed films like The Matrix, the question of whether actors tackle their stunts is a common one. Reeves, known for his roles in the Matrix and John Wick series, is one actor who takes on daring feats himself.
In a previous interview, the Exposed performer disclosed that during the filming of The Matrix: Resurrections, he bravely jumped off a towering building approximately 19 to 20 times to perfect the scene. The building, he estimated, stood an impressive 46 stories tall.
While computer-generated imagery helps create impossible movements for characters in Matrix action scenes, Reeves emphasized that the filmmakers aimed to maintain a sense of authenticity, complete with ideal lighting.
To ensure safety during daring stunts, the actors were equipped with attached wires. For Reeves, the enjoyment derived from performing his stunts is an undeniable benefit. Further, he enthusiastically expressed,
“It was awesome. Can you imagine just leaping off of a building with wires?”
Undoubtedly, for actors like Reeves, the thrill of executing stunts adds to the excitement of their craft.
Source: Cheatsheet
