Keanu Reeves finally comes clean and admits to almost losing the lead role in The Matrix movie. The actor rose to stardom for his portrayal of Neo, the protagonist in the said film, and it would be difficult to imagine any other face playing the lead.
More than 20 years since The Matrix was released in theaters, fans could say that the role was truly destined for Reeves. Known for his other action movies, such as John Wick and 47 Ronin, the actor embodies the true spirit of strength and stamina despite severe medical conditions.
Keanu Reeves Admits Suffering Neck Injuries While Filming For The Matrix
In an interview with The Art of Action, Keanu Reeves disclosed his grueling fight amid filming for The Matrix. The actor nearly refused to star in the movie after sustaining injuries in his last projects and had to undergo surgery.
“I had been struggling with it for a couple of years, experiencing tingling sensations. I had a bulging disc and a ruptured disc, and I started losing sensation and balance.”
While filming for Chain Reaction, Reeves admitted he had to pinch himself to numb the discomfort. He met with the Wachowski sisters and was informed that he needed to train in martial arts in Hong Kong for The Matrix. Despite the intense challenge, the actor took on the project.
“I said yes to The Matrix and began training for four months, but the situation worsened, so I consulted a neck specialist. I was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, essentially the mutilation of my spine.”
The 58-year-old star kept his medical condition a secret. After his surgery, which required fusing two vertebrae and inserting a plate in his neck, he continued working.
“I never actually told anyone because I didn’t want to tell anyone I wouldn’t be able to do the film. What was cool though was, at the time, the way to recover from spinal surgery was different. They put the plate in my neck and told me to start moving right away. I had to train for The Matrix in a neck brace.”
The actor’s neck problem did not stop him from making more The Matrix films. Reeves reprised his role in The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, followed by The Matrix Resurrections a decade later.
Keanu Reeves Proves To Be An Unstoppable Force In John Wick
As Keanu Reeves moved on from The Matrix era, he returned to action in 2014’s John Wick. The franchise’s success came as a surprise and has since become a global phenomenon. Chad Stahelski, director of the John Wick movies, plans to create his own John Wick universe following the announcement of upcoming spin-off projects, Ballerina and The Continental.
Reeves may be training again for his upcoming project, a Netflix adaptation inspired by BOOM! Studios’ comic series, BRZRKR. The live-action film’s script was finished in October last year, but so far, it has no official release date yet.
The Matrix movies are available on HBO Max, while John Wick films are streaming on Peacock.
Source: The Art of Action
