Keanu Reeves: ‘I think about death all the time’

Many of us avoid thinking about death, but Keanu Reeves doesn’t.

“I’m 59 years old, so I think about death all the time,” the Hollywood megastar told BBC News.

That’s a good thing, he adds.

“I hope it’s not paralyzing, but I hope it sensitizes us to an appreciation of the breath we have and the relationships we have the potential to have.”

The reason we’re sitting with the Matrix star, ruminating on life and mortality, isn’t because he has another blockbuster to promote.

This time, it’s a new book – Reeves’ first novel.

The Book of Elsewherewritten in collaboration with British science fiction author China Miéville, is about an immortal warrior who wants to be able to die.

We meet Reeves and Miéville in a dimly lit hotel bar in central London.

The Canadian actor, who lives in Hollywood, made time to see us between shows with his band Dogstar.

The band played in Manchester the night before. Reeves looks a little tired as we begin the 30-minute interview.

But her passion for her novel also shines through strongly.

The Book of Elsewhere is based on the hugely successful comic book series BRZRKR, created by Reeves.

Released in 2021, BRZRKR — pronounced “berserker,” for the uninitiated — will also be adapted into a Netflix live-action film starring Reeves, as well as an anime series.

For Reeves, comics have a special appeal.

“I love the images,” he said. “I love words and storytelling and I love the way you can have this overlapping engagement. And so you can look at the art and then follow the story.”

The actor downplays his role in the collaborative process, insisting: “I didn’t write a novel. China (Miéville) wrote a novel.”

Miéville argues that “this is going too far,” adding, “It wouldn’t have taken shape without very thoughtful and careful work with Keanu.”

The central character of the plot is known only as “B”.

With her long dark hair, B shares physical similarities with Reeves.

And when the comic was released, some fans also pointed out certain thematic similarities between the two, including a difficult personal life.

Reeves has lost several people he loved in his life, including his girlfriend, his stillborn daughter, and his best friend.

But that may be where the similarities end.

B is 80,000 years old, half-mortal and half-god. He also has a “curse of violence,” which seems completely different from Reeves.

The actor, known for his kind and well-mannered personality, is often described as the nicest man in Hollywood.

B is someone who can “punch people in the chest and rip their arms off, rip their heads off,” according to Reeves.

So where does this violence come from?

“I think it was influenced by some of the action movies I’ve done,” said Reeves, who has also starred in the Speed ​​and John Wick franchises.

Reviews for the comic were largely positive when it was released, so Reeves and Miéville are hoping to replicate that success.

In Flickering MythCalum Petrie awarded it seven out of ten stars, writing that it was “enjoyable” but also “a little gorier than I’m used to in a lot of comics”.

It received 9.5 stars from Justin Harrison of AIPT Comics, who praised it as “excellent” and “intriguing”, while also warning readers about the violence it depicts.

There is no doubt that this book is violent. In the opening pages, a shootout is described, followed by the “hard and bloody task of cleaning up.”

We asked Reeves about the much-debated connection between violence on screen and in books, and in the real world.

Momentarily, he appears defensive.

“I hope that if you read the BRZRKRdon’t go around ripping people’s arms off and cutting off their heads,” he said.

“Because there’s also a love story in it. But if you read it, I hope maybe you can find love if you don’t have it.”

Miéville also disputed the existence of a connection between the violence depicted and actual violence.

“I’m quite irritated by the way this issue is framed,” he said.

“It’s clearly a kind of cultural scapegoating,” he added. “I think the idea of ​​watching video games, movies and so on is just a way to exonerate the people who are actually profiting from violence.”

“Maybe ultimately the fantasy of building another world brings some kind of comfort in some way,” he admits.

“Ultimately, there is something about the creative gesture that arises from pain,” he added.

“Creating things is great. Just create, share, and hopefully people will enjoy the stories we tell.”

And if they do – if the book is a success – what will Reeves do with the book’s profits?

The actor is famous for his generosity and much has been written about how he supposedly doesn’t like to own things.

But that’s also something Reeves seems to reject as our interview draws to a close.

“I love owning things, I love having things,” he said.

“I’m certainly not going to present myself as someone who gives everything away for free.”

The Book of Elsewhere There is no Portuguese version yet. In the United Kingdom, it was published by Penguin.