Across his lengthy career, Keanu Reeves has worn many hats and played many roles. Canada’s finest export has been a comedy icon, a baby-faced hero, a Shakespearan thespian, a elder statesman of the action genre, and, in Toy Story 4, a wannabe Evil Knievel. He’s truly done it all, and maintained a sense of dignity and humility throughout the entire process.

Working on so many varied projects has brought Reeves into contact with some of the most famous names in film. In one interview, he called his ‘Bill & Ted’ companion Alex Winters as his favourite co-star, further proof that he really is the nicest man ever. He can also count Sandra Bullock, Carrie-Anne Moss, Ian McShane, Rachel Weisz, Gary Oldman, and River Phoenix as his on-set pals. In 2024, he achieved a career high by working with one of the biggest names in all of cinema – Sonic the Hedgehog. Truly rarified air.

Only one co-star has ever made Reeves sweat ahead of meeting them, and it’s not the Blue Blur. “I was probably most nervous at a rehearsal of The Devil’s Advocate with Al Pacino,” he revealed to Playboy. “It was in a studio loft in Manhattan, where we sat on a couple of chairs that were substituting for a subway bench. It was the first time I got to roll up my sleeves with a master. Yeah, I was nervous. But Pacino is a very generous actor, a lovely man. That got me past it.”

The Devil’s Advocate was directed by Taylor Hackford, husband of Dame Helen Mirren. There’s a great story about when Pacino asked for Mirren to leave the set, as he was too nervous to act in front of her. As for Reeves, he was playing a lawyer who takes a job that turns out to be more than he expected. Pacino plays his boss, who actually turns out to be the literal Devil. The younger star had made Speed three years prior and was slowly making his way towards the film that would define his legacy, The Matrix. He was still very much in ‘deer in highlights’ territory at this point in his career.

It would be one of his Matrix co-workers that gave him the advice that allowed him to get over his fear of Pacino. “This was my opportunity, as Laurence Fishburne always says, to swing,” Reeves said of his decision to finally approach the legend. The interviewer then asked what ‘to swing’ meant, to which Reeves replied, “You know, ‘Let’s swing, man. Let’s go. Let’s hit it out of the park.’” That probably sounds a lot cooler in Fishburne’s voice.

Reeves eventually got over his fear of his co-star and the two had a decent chemistry on screen. The Devil’s Advocate didn’t get the best reviews, but Pacino was roundly praised by the press. Reeves might not have gotten the limelight he wanted, but starring in this film made sure he didn’t appear in the Speed sequel, so it was all worth it in the end.

Being in the presence of a name, the calibre of Al Pacino is enough to put the willies up for anyone. Having to not only work with him but co-anchor a movie with him must be terrifying, but thankfully, the wise words of Mr. Fishburne helped Reeves get through it.