John Wick helped Keanu Reeves in making The Matrix Resurrections the successful comeback it is today.

The unprecedented era of science fiction and high-octane action that defined the turn of the 20th century with the Wachowski siblingsʼ film franchise The Matrix set in motion a predestined narrative for the leading star Keanu Reeves. What the Wachowskis did for Reevesʼ career in 1999 slowly led to his intro into kung-fu in the John Wick franchise which in turn helped the Wachowskisʼ return in the fourth Matrix sequel, bringing the director and actorʼs Hollywood stories full circle.

The Matrix Resurrections (2021) [Credit: Warner Bros.]
However, the actorʼs effusive beginnings in the sci-fi genre that made Reeves a global star would mean very little if his skills picked up over the years refused to prove useful when the directors needed it most. As such, the martial arts and gun-fu training that defined every muscle memory of The Matrix lead kicked into high gear when he was called onto the sets of The Matrix Resurrections.

Keanu Reeves Come to the Rescue on The Matrix 4 Set

On the sets of the fourth Matrix feature, The Matrix Resurrections director Lana Wachowski ran into a problem that is usually common by Hollywood standards but rare when it comes to the creators of The Matrix.

Keanu Reeves as Neo in The Matrix (1999) [Credit: Warner Bros.]
The defining aspect of The Matrix franchise was coming up with mind-bending action sequences that distort the basic laws of physics. Concepts such as the idiosyncratic “Bullet Time” that now has become synonymous with the movie about Red Pills and Blue Pills asked for a much-needed upgrade from the Agent Smith-infested action scenes.

The solution to the problem then came pretty quickly, given Keanu Reevesʼ involvement with a certain high-octane action film franchise. After all, it was his evolution from the messianic Neo that landed him the role of the model family man, John Wick. And it was his teachings from the John Wick films that ultimately saved The Matrix Resurrections from ending up in the HBO Max vaults.

The Matrix Resurrections Gets the John Wick Treatment

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum [Credit: Lionsgate Films]
One of the toughest sequences in The Matrix Resurrections required the inclusion of an impossible stunt scene that put the lead actors Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Ann Moss at major risk. As described by the filmʼs SFX supervisor J.D. Schwalm in an interview with /Film:

“The most nerve-wracking one was when they did jump off the building. We filmed the jump in the morning as the last shot of the day after filming all night. But the evening of [the jump], we got word that we were not gonna do it. The studio and the insurance company and whatnot weren’t going to allow the actors to get on the rig. It was down to the wire and ultimately somebody showed up, gave the green light and it happened that day. It was pretty intense.”

The saving grace for the film was Reevesʼ experience from the John Wick franchise. His intense action scenes embedded with wire harnesses and martial arts background came in handy when the comeback sequel refused to let the lead actors get on the rig. As such, the newer, more evolved, and updated scope of The Matrix Resurrections gave Keanu Reeves a chance to show off his kung-fu chops to pull off a timely rescue on the sets of The Matrix Resurrections.

Later, cinematographer Daniel Massaccesi revealed to /Film that writer/director Lana Wachowski “had a completely different approach to filmmaking and to life, where she’d rather have it in real. You’ve seen the movie so you know that they actually, at the end of the movie, the actors jumping off the building. The real actors are jumping off the building.”

After the incredible success of the franchise comeback sequel, Warner Bros. has been keen enough to use their proprietary access to the Wachowski IP and demand a follow-up to the 2021 film. Keanu Reevesʼ big screen magic that refuses to wear off despite his age and repetitive sequels to the sequels of blockbuster movies like The Matrix and John Wick has now made him the face of the fifth sequel to both franchises.