Celebrity2 min(s) read
Keanu Reeves could’ve been known by an entirely different name
He's one of the biggest names in cinema. But Keanu Reeves could very easily have been known as someone completely different.
The fan-appointed 'nicest guy in Hollywood' spoke to Good Morning America host Michael Strahan about being encouraged to adopt a stage name at the start of his career.
Strahan asked the 57-year-old action star what it was like having fans approach him in the street.
"So many people now scream 'Keanu! Keanu!' - but at one point, they wanted you to change your name," the news anchor said.
"Yes, they did sir," Reeves confirmed.
"Did you ever consider?" asked Strahan.
The John Wick star launched into the story. "So I'm 20 years old. I’m in my first car. I wanted to be in movies; I went to Hollywood. And I get there, and they’re like 'we want to change your name.'
"I'm just like 'Why?' and they were like, 'well, Keanu, maybe it's a little too exotic.'
Strahan asked the actor if he'd had any potential stage names lined up. Apparently one of his top picks was "Chuck Spadina".
"I just came up with a ridiculous name," joked Reeves.
But in the end, the thought of changing his name was too much for the young actor. "I just actually couldn't do it. I couldn't do it," he said, before adding that he was happy he hadn't.
Reeves went on to talk about returning to The Matrix franchise. The hotly anticipated fourth installment in the series - The Matrix Resurrections - is set for release this week.
Alongside Reeves - who is reprising his beloved role Neo from the first three films - the movie is bringing back many original cast members, including Carrie-Anne Moss and Jada Pinkett-Smith. They'll be joined by new cast Neil Patrick Harris and Priyanka Chopra Jones.
Notably absent is Laurence Fishburne, who played the iconic character Morpheus, but told Entertainment Tonight that he was not asked to be a part of the fourth film.
A character with the same name who may or may not be a younger version of Fishburne's will be played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II.
The Matrix Resurrections hits cinemas and HBO Max on December 22.