Industries across the board are trying to find a way to reopen or stay afloat during the pandemic. Among those is the mighty Hollywood machine. We talked about The Bold and The Beautiful being the first tv program to start back up, but they had to close down almost as soon as they started due to their safety precautions not being enough. Which begs the question, how are the big productions, like Jurassic World: Dominion (which was the first big production to resume filming), doing with their plans? Our Internet boyfriend Keanu Reeves is over in Germany filming Matrix 4 and he has nothing but praise for the precautions being taken on set.
Keanu Reeves is opening up about his experience filming The Matrix 4amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The 55-year-old actor praised the safety protocols that are in place on the project after it resumed filming in Berlin earlier this month. Shooting previously began in February before production was halted in March due to the current health crisis.
“There’s some really thoughtful, effective protocols in place, and the rhythm of filmmaking has not really been impacted or interrupted,” Reeves told the Associated Press during a virtual interview.
“I think everyone loves the project,” he added. “If you’re ever going to get into any kind of situation that needs to be figured out, or ‘How do we do this?’ Show business people are the best. We’re just scrappy, we know how to get stuff done, we’re inventive, think on our feet, and that kind of kindred spirit of just coming together — it goes back to like, you know, ‘Let’s put on a show!’ ‘We’ll get some props, we’ve got some things, we’re going to write!’ And that spirit is definitely alive and well on The Matrix.”
Keanu is, of course, doing promotional work for Bill and Ted Face the Music which will be released on August 28th. I’d have liked to hear what some of those safety protocols being taken were. I assume, if the film has no COVID-related issues, their plan will be shared with other sets. While the health and safety of everyone involved is paramount, I’ll bet the fact that, “the rhythm of filmmaking has not really been impacted or interrupted,” puts a lot of minds at rest. When we were talking about how studios could start filming, it was very hard to picture a set that wasn’t totally impacted by precautions. But obviously smarter minds than mine figured it out and now none of us have to feel bad about being excited that new films are back in production.
Not only am I relieved to hear someone finally put people before profits, I was tickled by Keanu’s comments about why Hollywood could adapt to the new normal so well. He has a point. We saw a version of that with the ill-fated Imagine video and all those reading bedside stories or doing virtual reunions because they know people would love it. For the most part, actors’ first instinct when the pandemic hit was to distract us from the fear and horror. Plus, the movie business was one of the few that made a profit during the Depression and, although I realize oppressive business practices also played a part in that, people kept going to the films because when life sucks, we need our escapism. As Keanu said, Hollywood knows their role in times of crisis (and how much money can be gained by it) and they have, historically, been better at adapting and surviving than most large-scale businesses. Also, I just kind like the mental image of all these million-dollar actors running around, grabbing sheets and shower-curtains, shouting, “Let’s put on a show!”
More good news, Keanu did the interview via video and we have it!
Photo credit: WENN/Avalon and Instagram (fan accounts)
I can’t wait for this film. We’ve been watching the Matrix trilogy over the past few days (onto Revelations now) and by god they’re so damn good. The action sequences put 90% of other films to absolute shame, and the films are incredibly diverse in cast and it never feels performative. I’m looking forward to seeing how they’ll carry the story on.
And thank goodness for people being sensible and just getting on with enhanced safety measures, I just don’t get the pushback. Yeah you can’t lick donuts or shake hands with people you don’t know but I’m all for extra hygiene and observance of personal space 😀
Ah, remember the Halcyon days of March or April when Some Good News was the best thing going. I go back and watch them occasionally when I can’t sleep and they feel more and more alien every time. Like, sure, we were all freaking out, but we were also so positive about it. Little did we know how thoroughly 2020 was going to spank us.
I don’t care about The Matrix 4, bring me John Wick 4!
Keanu!
I’m still nervous about all of 2020. Reality has taken a big left turn and I feel unsettled still.
“Let’s put on a show!” says with a huge smile. Keanu cheers me up.
IMO, someone needs to trim his hair about 1″ all around, show off those cheekbones a bit, you looker.
The Matrix #1 was a great new inventive movie.
#2 and #3….overly long, rambling, lost the plot.
Good fight scenes and action but not worth re-watching for me.
JW3, and MI:Fallout both about 20 minutes too long. They start to turn into special effects/stunt shot instead of a tight story with great action.
Ready to watch B&T3 start streaming it..take my money!
Matrix 4. Can’t wait!
But why can’t I wait? I love the Matrix movies. Is it because they’re well acted? The material itself? What is the reason? My choices are illusions. They are lies. There’s no escape from causality. We are its slaves. But I come with the why. I come with power. I know The Matrix because I question its existence.
keanu
forever
that is all <3