Keanu Reeves Powered Through Filming ‘Secret Level’ with a Broken Kneecap: ‘Let’s Go Again!’

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As a seasoned cinephile who has witnessed countless actors grace the silver screen, I must say that Keanu Reeves stands out as one of the most remarkable performers I’ve ever encountered in my lifetime. His dedication to his craft and unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional performances are truly inspiring.

I have been fortunate enough to witness Keanu’s incredible work ethic firsthand through the making of ‘Secret Level.’ The story behind his participation in the show is nothing short of astounding, with Tim Miller texting Dave Wilson asking if they had a role for Keanu and receiving an unexpected, swift response.

What struck me the most was not just Keanu’s willingness to take on the challenging role of a “junkie mech pilot,” but also his determination to see it through despite fracturing his kneecap two weeks before filming. The fact that he had learned all his lines and was prepared to shoot in short segments with his knee brace on is nothing short of amazing.

The anecdote about Keanu working for 13 hours straight, only taking brief breaks for a cigarette before diving back into the action with his signature phrase, “Let’s go again!”, speaks volumes about his passion and dedication to his work. It is rare to find an actor who would push through pain and illness to deliver a top-notch performance, but Keanu Reeves is one such individual.

In conclusion, watching the making of ‘Secret Level’ has been a humbling experience that has reinforced my admiration for this extraordinary artist. His work ethic, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to his craft serve as an inspiration for anyone pursuing their dreams in any field.

To add a bit of humor to the mix, I must say that if you ever find yourself in need of a junkie mech pilot who can power through fractured kneecaps and flu-like symptoms with a smile on his face, you know exactly who to call – Keanu Reeves!

‘The animated series titled “Secret Level” is developed by Tim Miller for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Blur Studio and Amazon MGM Studios are responsible for its production. This engaging show is inspired by various video games and boasts an impressive voice cast that includes Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kevin Hart, Keanu Reeves, and others across 15 episodes.’

The announcement for ‘Secret Level’ came in August 2024, with its first eight episodes airing on December 10, and the rest following on December 17, 2024. It garnered mixed responses from critics, but the Pac-Man episode generated buzz for a fresh game titled ‘Shadow Labyrinth.’ In the same month, Amazon decided to continue the series for a second season.

In the ‘Armored Core: Asset Management’ episode, it was Keanu Reeves who took on the role of the pilot. Although Reeves’ acting in the series played a crucial part in this particular episode, the creators, Wilson and Miller, mentioned that his involvement almost didn’t materialize.

The team behind the project shared how they got Keanu Reeves involved. They asked their colleague Dave Wilson if there was a suitable role for Keanu, and after discussing it, they decided to give him the role of a ‘drug-addict mech pilot.’

At first, Wilson doubted it would transpire, but then unexpectedly, they received a video of Keanu expressing eagerness for the role with the words, “Mech pilot junkie. I’m in.” This sudden and swift decision by Keanu took them by surprise.

Initially, dismay took over. I was relaxing at home when Tim started speaking into his phone, and then I received a text message.

MILLER: I have very fat fingers.

Wilson: I received a message saying, “Is there anything for piano?” I was puzzled by it, so I thought to myself, “Hmm“, then realized Keanu was present that day. We had cast most of the episodes already, leaving not much more. He was meeting Tim about another project, and all the artwork was hanging on the walls. When he asked what it was, there were only a few pieces left. The latest one we’d just secured the story for was Armored Core.

Initially, I sent a message saying, “How about a drug-addicted mech pilot?” and didn’t receive a response for almost an hour. I thought, “I guess not then.” Later on, Tim texted back, saying, “He’s in!” I responded with skepticism, “I doubt it, he can’t be.” Then, the next thing was a video of Keanu Reeves expressing something. What did he actually say?

MILLER: I said, “Just say, ‘Junkie mech pilot,’” And he goes, “Junkie mech pilot. I’m in.”

Two weeks prior to filming, despite suffering a broken kneecap, Keanu conveyed via email that he had memorized his lines and was prepared to start shooting, albeit in brief segments while wearing a knee support.

It astounded Wilson that Keanu remained eager to take on the role, and they agreed to modify the character to accommodate his injury by giving him a limp and a brace. This move further solidified Keanu’s standing as someone known for his generosity, thoroughness, and determination.

As I was saying, I’ve often heard people talking about him, praising him for his greatness, kindness, and generosity. I couldn’t help but think, “At some stage, the illusion will crack, and the reality of not meeting one’s heroes will be revealed.” But to my surprise, he truly lives up to all the praise.

Two weeks before filming, we received an email that said, “Dave, Tim, I’ve got some unfortunate news… I’ve fractured my kneecap.” Skimming to the bottom of the email, I found out he couldn’t participate. However, he mentioned he had memorized all his lines and could work for five-minute intervals with a brace off. This made me think, “Wow, he’s still willing to film.” So, I reassured him, suggesting he keep the brace on, and we’d write his character as limping and wearing a brace during the scenes.

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Regardless of his fresh knee injury and obvious discomfort, Keanu persistently opted to complete the shoot, working tirelessly for 13 consecutive hours while wearing a knee brace. He didn’t pause for breaks, instead stepping outside briefly for a quick cigarette before diving back in with enthusiasm, exclaiming, “Let’s try again!” They also highlighted his battle through illness during filming, but he pushed forward nonetheless, further emphasizing his dedication and passion for his profession.

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2025-01-03 15:17