Why 2019 Has Been The Year Of Keanu Reeves

The cult of celebrity is what it is, stars come and go, others are ubiquitous in their notoriety and others simply have huge spurts of popularity based on a plethora of reasons. Our man Keanu has been this omnipresent star, but in 2019, he seems to have exponentially risen in popularity over the informative waves of the inter-webs to a point where some are saying it is indeed HIS year, but why? Well, including but not limited to - movie news, video-game appearances and just being an all-round nice human, its a full list, some of which we're about to explore.

[post_page_title] Starting Light-Hearted: The Puns [/post_page_title]

The 55-year-old actor is no stranger to memes, but this year, in perhaps the best of examples, amongst the Keanu-appreciation-fest, the applicability of his surname to a little playful rhyme blew-up on Twitter and elsewhere. From - "Keanu Reeves at church: Keanu Believes" to "Keanu Reeves as a hemophiliac: Keanu Bleeds", Twitter is chock-full of these so it's definitely worth looking.

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[post_page_title] The Flicks [/post_page_title]

Now, obviously being a MOVIE STAR means that Mr. Reeves has that going for him. This year saw a huge amount of announcements inciting huge amounts of internet excitement with titles such as the third installment in the John Wick franchise as well as lighthearted appearances in other franchises such as the household Toy Story 4 and the 2020 Spongebob movie. I digress, through the movies this year, Keanu has shown nothing but how versatile he is as a modern actor and cinema-based icon.

[post_page_title] The Big One: John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum [/post_page_title]

'John Wick' is a fictional name that has permeated this year's news within popular cinema and for good reason. The third in the franchise - without posting any overt spoilers for those haven't seen it - sees the Russian trained assassin on the run fighting-off those who partake in the same profession. Now, what's (most) excellent and impressive about Keanu's role in this thrilling action-adventure franchise is how high-octane it is to watch.

[post_page_title] Warning: This Contains Epic Levels Of Cool [/post_page_title]

In particular, and regardless of which of the above you qualify for, the now famous 'Throwing Knives Scene' from John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum is one truly immersive and transfixing. The sheer level of non-stop, relentless violence and unfathomably impressive skills purveyed by not only the protagonist Mr. Wick but his near-countless enemies is truly something to behold.

[post_page_title] Keanu Reeves: Cool-Wick [/post_page_title]

I know what you're thinking, "he can't possibly be doing ALL or even most of all those stunts." However, you may well be surprised to know that although like many actors and actresses, stunt-doubles were used, Keanu is reported to have done the vast majority of his own stunts THROUGHOUT the franchise. With example figure of 90% reported for the middling Chapter 2 of John Wick and credible reports of similar in this year's installment.

[post_page_title] The Less Explosive [/post_page_title]

Away from all that, Keanu also took part in another and considerably more light-hearted silver-screen indisputable house-hold name: Toy Story 4! To star in such a franchise after decades of movies staring as a gun-toting, karate-perfecting absolute ice-cold epitome of coolness really speaks so much of Keanu Reeves. The Hollywood staple is good at everything he puts his mind too and that's a fact. Absolutely no argument will ever contest that.

[post_page_title] Duke Caboom! [/post_page_title]

In the fourth installment of Toy Story, Mr. Reeves, despite the stark contrast from his John Wick or his Neo from the seminal soon to be slow-mo quartet masterpiece know as the Matrix movies, still manages to tie-in his reputation and penchant for on-screen physical exertion! Even though the character of Duke Caboom is for a younger audience, Keanu Reeves cannot seem to help himself!

[post_page_title] One The Camera But Behind The Camera [/post_page_title]

While we are still just on the topic of stunts, Keanu also took part in a documentary alongside a whole host of other names to talk about what it is really like behind the scenes when danger is the game. I don't know about you but this has been added to my 'to watch' list. 2nd Unit: Invisible Action Stars is out now.

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[post_page_title] Between Two Ferns [/post_page_title]

From explosive back to humor, we are back in-line with that more light-hearted Mr. Reeves. In 'Between Two Ferns' Keanu is roasted by the incredibly awkward Zach Galifianakis in an improv style where the actors have no idea what they are promptly about to be asked. Although Keanu was aware of how utterly random this would be, his performance is impeccable and his effort unto which he is undertaking to not laugh is more than admirable. Once again, Keanu just gets on with it. You can watch the whole thing on Netflix now.

[post_page_title] To Be Excellent Is To Announce Further Excellence [/post_page_title]

What am I talking about? Well in 1989 and then in the year I was born in 1991, a film was made that took the world by storm. And in 2019, an announcement was made that completely broke the internet. Next year, 2020, will see Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves reprise their roles as Bill & Ted respectively in - Bill & Ted Face the music.

[post_page_title] Keanu In His Most Excellent Element [/post_page_title]

If Keanu's films this year weren't enough and his popularity after his three-decades of acting wasn't as ubiquitous as it could be already, the movie that launched his career extending to a trilogy could not be better news. Even the below, posing for press shots sees the Keanu as Ted truly in his element. 2020 absolutely needs to hasten its grand entrance. We need this movie.

[post_page_title] Keanu Gets Nautical and Absorbant [/post_page_title]

Have I confused you with my title? Perhaps, but once again, in 2019 another household name would announce itself intending to hit the big screen in 2020 - The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run. Starring, yes, of course, you guessed it - Mr. Keanu Reeves. Keanu takes up the physical (well, in so far as his head and vocal-chords) role of Sage, which works out pretty well for reasons that will become obvious in the trailer above.

[post_page_title] John Wick: Chapter 4 Announcement [/post_page_title]

I know this is technically 2020, but if the popularity of John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum and its onset grossing $321 million at the box office worldwide wasn't enough, Lionsgate also announce this year that May 2021 would see the release of Chapter 4 in the franchise. "You have served. You will be of service. John Wick: Chapter 4 is coming – May 21, 2021." - Lionsgate in a text message to fans in May 2019.

[post_page_title] Slow Motion Is The Only Motion [/post_page_title]

Once again, Keanu was involved in yet another earth and internet shattering announcement this year, which has inundated said information highway with memes, theories and just general hurrah at the announcement that, 16 years after The Matrix Revolutions and the apparent end of the trilogy, Keanu Reeves would be reprising his role as Neo.

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[post_page_title] Beyond The Big Screen [/post_page_title]

Next in the Keanu-list, we have gaming. The lucrative multi-faceted industry has grown exponentially in the last decade with overtly complex plots akin to or even greater than silver-screen epics hitting video games on consoles and PC. This year saw the man of 2019 get truly involved with the world of triple-A games via what you are about to see.

[post_page_title] And It Gets Better [/post_page_title]

At the expo after walking on stage like the absolute master of all, Keanu commands the crowd as he gleefully describes the game only to be heckled in a way that proves how utterly love he is. However, it is his response that really makes it. Breath-taking indeed! Role on 16/04/2020!

[post_page_title] Acting Isn't Even His Whole Bag [/post_page_title]

Despite his obvious career as an actor and an all-round lovable individual, Keanu Reeves is also a producer (Already Gone, August 2019) and a regular on documentaries and interview-based TV shows. In fact, I thoroughly recommend you research his accolades, the man has not stopped this year. Admittedly this is more of another bonus fact as it were to show how busy this year has been for him. No wonder the year of 2019 is resoundingly dubbed as his triumphant own.

[post_page_title] 2019 Has Been Given A Name In His Honor [/post_page_title]

There isn't too much I can say on this for it absolutely substantiates this entire list and itself entirely in, I might add, the most intrinsic way. Let it be noted down in the annals of history this year 2019 AD be named as the: KEANUSSANCE.

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[post_page_title] The Cult Of Celebrity Hasn't Affected His Manners [/post_page_title]

This year has seen no shortage of examples of Keanu's altruism, as well as past examples and stories shared by fans. Perhaps the most famous recently surfaced story is of his buying of ice cream he didn't want JUST so he could sign the receipt for the fan working the admissions desk at a movie theatre. Wholesome stuff.

[post_page_title] Speaking Of Manners [/post_page_title]

Another little bonus fact showing Keanu's attitude to those around him would be the little - or rather big - things he's done for family, friends, and colleagues for reasons not always obvious but largely irrelevant through kindness. These include buying a house for his mother, a fleet of Harley Davidson motorbikes for stunt crews working on The Matrix and taking pay-cuts so that pictures he was working on were able to hire further actors.

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[post_page_title] His Respectability And Privacy [/post_page_title]

Although much is known about his life, and he will answer questions, the way in which he parades himself personally is often closed and respectably guarded. In an interview earlier this year, the star quite directly answer a question on why he isn't a user of social media personally, with -"Privacy is important to me," [...] "And yeah, I don't really have anything to say about anything!"

[post_page_title] His New Relationship and Engagement  [/post_page_title]

With a relationship history known about by many but seldom talked about by the actor due to some truly tragic events, it is no wonder that when it comes to relationships, that Mr. Reeves is sparsely seen engaging such pursuits. That is until 2019 where a long-time friend of the star became just a little more and on public display.

[post_page_title] How He Met Alexandra Grant [/post_page_title]

What a lot of people IMMEDIATELY began to ponder, wonder and likely obsess over was the question of who exactly was Alexandra Grant and how did they meet? It soon became apparent that the pair had known each other professionally and in friendship for quite some time. The couple actually collaborated on Keanu's 2011 book, Ode To Happiness, and again on his follow-up in 2016, Shadows. However, the pair met in 2009 at a social event that would eventually spawn both books.

[post_page_title] About His New Love [/post_page_title]

The multi-lingual LA-based visual-artist examines language and written texts through painting, drawing, sculpture, video, and other media. She has served as a teacher and professor at various posts across the US between 2009-2015, including a co-position at Ashesi University in Accra, Ghana. Her accolades also include her own foundation (the grantLOVE project) dedicated to producing and selling art-works that benefit other artists' work and assisting in the funding of non-profit arts ventures.

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[post_page_title] He's Interesting Outside Of His Characters [/post_page_title]

Not only does Keanu play a multitude of interesting and dynamic characters across a thirty career, but the man himself is also really quite interesting off the screen. Born in Beruit, Lebanon to a British mother and a father of British, American, Hawaiian and Chinese descent, eventually settling in Toronto, Canada, the actor was interesting from the get-go and had his heart set on acting.

[post_page_title] He Thinks The Internet's Obsession with him is 'Wacky' [/post_page_title]

Not being on social media himself, it goes without saying that Keanu's understanding of the weird world's obsession with him is a little lacking. In an interview about Toy Story 4 at the premiere red carpet, being told that he had been dubbed "the Internet's boyfriend" prompted him to laugh and remark, "That's wacky." "Well, the positivity’s great" he continued reportedly a little bashful.

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[post_page_title] The KEANUSSANCE Ha Truly Taken Over [/post_page_title]

While I researching this, the #keanureeves on Instagram was growing each time I refreshed the page or began to scroll for more. So as we get towards the end of what I hope was a Keanu- enlightening experience, I thought a few examples of such would be fitting. When two institutions collide. If you were to look, across the worlds of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram you will be sure to find thousands upon thousands of people dedicated in their following and adoration of this man over COUNTLESS accounts set up for that very purpose!

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[post_page_title] Regardless Of Plot, People Flock To Their Favorite Stars Pictures [/post_page_title]

Apart from all the socio-political doom besieging us on all sides, I think that if there is one singular certainty in 2019, it's that anything Keanu Reeves does will instantly fill movie theatres. Don't believe me? Well, just take a long hard look at the above.

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[post_page_title] Keanu Was There At The Very Beginning... Of Memes [/post_page_title]

There are many terms used to describe the period of history we are in, yet if you were to look at where we currently are, I mean really thought about it, then perhaps the moniker - 'The Decade Of Memes'. Meme culture has seen simple imagery and stills transform from basic humor and contextual in-jokes to utter political assaults in favor of whatever context is laid out by whoever made it. It's been a rough ride, one that old Keanu has always been a part of...

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[post_page_title] To Close, A Philanthropic Act [/post_page_title]

A great many famous faces lend their names to undeniably valuable causes and Keanu is among them but true to himself, completely his own way. In 2009 Keanu remarked that for the past 5-6 years, he had been donating to a private foundation he'd set up himself to fund a few small children's hospitals and cancer research. The latter being close to home given his sister's battle with Leukemia.