Keanu, what brought you to this project?
Keanu: It's a kick-ass movie and something I've never seen before. It was really the script, the dialogue and meeting with Andrew and Larry Wachowski. It's not a coy film, and there's no ambiguity to it. It's not trying to manipulate you for the sake of it. It's dense, but I think it's worth it. It has this great look, great action-drama sequences, but why they're there and how they're told, combined with the camera angles and the drama of the scenes, made the project special. And I really like the question the film asks: What's truth?
The kung fu stunts and wire work are incredible. What was that experience like?
Keanu: I had a great time. It's really tough but really fun, because you get to fly. Carrie-Anne had it harder.
Carrie-Anne: It took me four months to learn the moves I do on the wire. It was great to finally get it and ultimately a great high. You have to trust the people on the other end of the wire. We had a team from Hong Kong, Wo-Ping and some others, who were basically responsible for my safety on the wire. By the time I shot it, I trusted them completely. In the opening sequence, the wall-walking took three days to shoot. Although I'm on a wire, it's me running along the side of a wall with the bullet hits. I didn't know what to expect.
Keanu: And when they say, "Oh, by the way, when you're running up the wall, we're going to explode things under your feet ..."
Carrie-Anne: "And they're probably not going to hurt you, but they could" -- it was kind of scary. It was the first fight we shot and really exciting.
What was it like to do the fight scenes?
Keanu: The brothers spoke about what they wanted, then storyboarded it, and that was the source point. They wanted certain punches, beats and action moments. Then while working with us, Wo Ping took those moments and choreographed what organically came out of us. As we got better, the fights got more sophisticated.
You both really look look like martial arts experts. Can you describe the training?
Keanu: We would wake up in the morning and stretch for about an hour and a half, kick for an hour and a half, then punch. It's movie kung fu, but you still have to be able to kick that high, punch that fast, walk that well for the control, grace and beauty aspect of it. We wanted to be safe, but we wanted to have the concussion of it. It's kind of a dance.
Carrie-Anne: And even when I was injured and sweaty, I don't remember those moments as much as I do actually learning how to do the stunts. But I did hurt in places I didn't even know I had.
The movie is grounded in comic book fiction. Keanu, we hear you're a fan. What are your favorites?
Keanu: I got into them when I was 11 or 12. It started in camp with Richie Rich. Then went into the Fantastic Four, moved into the X-Men and then my comic obsession began. For seven years I was completely and totally obsessed with comic books, especially Frank Miller with his Wolverine series. I was into the Ronin series, too. I'd love to play Wolverine.
|
Keanu, your character in the film is a computer hacker. Are either of you interested in the Internet?
Keanu: Just from afar. I'm not online, and I haven't ever participated on that communication place. Actually, neither of us has. It makes the brothers laugh. "You're playing a computer genius, and you don't have a computer!"
Keanu, are you still performing with your band, Dogstar?
Keanu: Definitely. We just played a show in Bombay and just got a deal with Ultimatum Records. Plus, we're the bar band in the opening scene in Me and Will. I also hope to do some more theater. We have to try and get Carrie-Anne to do Cabaret.
Carrie-Anne, your costumes are pretty awesome in the film, but they look awfully uncomfortable. Are they?
Carrie-Anne: Actually, they were very comfortable. They were designed by the lovely Kim Barrett, who did Romeo and Juliet. She did a phenomenal job, and they were made by someone who does dance costumes, so there was room for a lot of movement. When I kick my foot over my head, there was no problem at all. And they kept me on my diet.
What's it like dealing with two directors?
Keanu: Larry is kind of the front man. He speaks his ideas, and Andrew has the visuals. It's interesting to watch them answer the questions separately with the same taste. They were really allied in their vision of the film, and you could speak to either of them about anything at any time.
Carrie-Anne: Total ebb and flow.
Keanu, do you have any more independent projects in the works?
Keanu: Right now, I have a friend who's trying to make a film called Make It. Very independent. So independent, I don't know if it'll get made, but hopefully it will. There's a part in it for me. I play a serial killer.
What are your favorite sci-fi films of all time?
Keanu: 2001, Bladerunner.
Carrie-Anne: Alien.
The story is pretty complex. Were you worried that people might leave the theater scratching their heads?
Keanu: I like a little head scratching. I like pondering and wondering. As long as you don't feel abandoned by the film.
Carrie-Anne: There are so many different layers to it. You can get so many things on so many different levels from it, depending on where you're at in your life.
In the film you can upload a piece of software and master that skill. If this brain meld were possible, what would you choose?
Keanu: I'd pick languages.
Carrie-Anne: I'd like to play every musical instrument.
Keanu: Wait, can we share? Can I borrow yours? I'll give you mine.
Would you consider a sequel?
Keanu: Definitely.
Carrie-Anne: Count me in.
|