We know it well: although he rediscovered superstardom thanks to the extraordinary results of “John Wick”, Keanu Reeves has demonstrated on several occasions that he has many strings to his bow, in the wake of an artistic career that has been able to highlight the breadth of his acting abilities.
Beloved for his altruism and gentle nature, as well as his iconic performances, the Canadian actor boasts, since his debut, collaborations with masters such as Francis Ford Coppola, Gus Van Sant, and Bernardo Bertolucci. From this solid foundation, he then entered mainstream cinema, moving from action to romantic comedy to science fiction, as demonstrated by "Point Break," "The Scent of Wild Must," and "Johnny Mnemonic." But it is undoubtedly the "Matrix" trilogy, directed by the Wachowski sisters, that has brought the star global recognition, placing him rightfully among the most influential figures in the entire Hollywood landscape.
After appearing in cult classics like "Constantine" and "A Scanner Darkly," Reeves hit a career downturn, collaborating on unsuccessful projects like "47 Ronin." What brought him back to success, as mentioned above, was the unexpected success of "John Wick," the series directed by Chad Stahelski and closely tied to the world of professional assassins, featuring impressive gunfights and spectacular tactical combat sequences.
A tireless personality on and off the set, as demonstrated by his passion for music and his commitment to the rock band “Dogstar,” Reeves is preparing to return to the world of animation, having already lent his voice to the character of Duke Caboom in “Toy Story 4” and Shadow the Hedgehog in the “Sonic” film series. According to the latest rumors, Universal Pictures seems interested in relaunching the LEGO franchise, relying on a strong and recognizable face like his.
The actor is currently in talks for a new film directed by Josh Cooley, the same director he previously collaborated with on "Toy Story 4." Besides strengthening a partnership that has already proven to be a great success, the project is also interesting because it would be a hybrid of live-action and CGI animation. Although details on the plot and cast have not yet been released, Universal intends to debut the film soon, starting filming within a few months, partly to avoid the expiration of the film rights to the brand, which would effectively open the door to potential buyers.
But it doesn't end there: increasingly connected to the world of animation, Reeves recently returned to "Hidari," a film directed by Masashi Kawamura and the actor's second project set in feudal Japan after the disappointing outcome of "47 Ronin." Proving to be one of the most applauded surprises among the previews at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, the work aims to renew the genre by combining the charm of Japanese culture with the technique of stop-motion, through the legendary figure of Hidari Jingoro, to whom Reeves lent his voice.
Regarding the character of Jingoro, a 17th-century master carpenter who, according to legend, could breathe life into his sculptures, the director said: "When I discovered this legend, I thought this was exactly what we do in stop-motion: bringing inanimate objects to life." And, describing the film's spirit with a striking phrase, he added: "Imagine John Wick set in feudal Japan and played by wooden puppets on steroids."
Of course, Reeves couldn't help but extend a special tribute to those lucky enough to attend the screening. Appearing in a video message, the actor declared: "Stop-motion and everything this team is doing has a profoundly cinematic ambition. It can be both grandiose and very intimate. The script is extraordinary. I want to see this film and I want to be a part of it."