Now playing in theaters and available on VOD is directorEli Roths home invasion thrillerKnock Knock.
At the recent Los Angeles press day I landed an exclusive interview with Keanu Reeves.
Collider: So lets jump into why I get to talk to you today[Knock Knock].
REEVES: Yeah, lots of them I guess.
You did this to me!
Its his kind of plea, his aria of self-defense.
Image via Lionsgate
But that aria was a lot of fun.
I dont wanna get too spoilery, but youre really putting it out there.
Youre like screaming, its a really good moment.
Image via Lionsgate
Was that the take that you asked to redo, was that the one that was used?
So it ended up being the right call.
Theres a lot of this film that youre tied up, that youre sort of in captivity.
Image via Lionsgate
Is that uncomfortable to film?
Because youre really tied up.
REEVES: I am, yeah.
Image via Lionsgate
I was, except with some extreme …
It would have been tough to get out by yourself.
But yeah, it took two people to do it because it was artistic, right?
He was like, No, put another wrap around here.
No, I want more around the feet.
How about over his…?
but thats part of the reason why I did it.
But yeah, after a few hours youre kind of like, Can I stand up?
but other than that, its a great obstruction to perform with.
He said exactly: Fatal Attractionin the age of social media.
Do you agree with that?
I mean, I think its theFatal Attractionwith social media.
Image via Lionsgate
If anything, it was we rehearsed for 4 or 5 days in the house.
We rehearsed so much that basically we were all off book and it basically turned into a play.
It was also a way for Eli and the cameraman, the cinematographer, to work out their shots.
We could rehearse the scenes and they could talk about camera angles, etc.
What was it like meeting with Eli?
How did he pitch it to you?
Was it an immediate Yes?
Talk a little bit about the genesis of how you got involved.
Was that one of the appeals of the project, being able to film down there?
REEVES: It certainly wasnt an impediment or anything that was like, Oh, no, not Chile!
I like to travel, so I like going to other places to work.
I mean, I like working at home in L.A. but I also like going to other places.
How is it when you travel the world?
I mean, when I travel sometimes I get recognized.
And thenConstantineandDevils Advocate,Bill and Ted.
Then you get stuff likeA Scanner Darkly.
Yeah youve hit all of the major things.
REEVES:Rivers Edge.
REEVES: Oh, I got one fromLittle Buddhathe other day too.
I was very happy, because sometimes Hollywood makes shitty sequels.
REEVES: No, theres a great pressure.
And so yeah theres a big concern and we dont want it to fucking suck.
Theres that emotional connection where everyone is like, Just kill them all, based on that.
Why do we need to do this again?
How do we do that without doing another dog?
So I think we have a good idea of that.
One of the things I loved, and everyone loved, was all the stuff at the Hotel Continental.
It was like a world within the world and it was just really cool.
Does that hotel, that inner world, is that part of the sequel?
I heard youre filming in the fall.
Do you know when your filming it?
REEVES: Were scheduled to start at the end of October, maybe.
Right now thats kind of the target date but well see.
But its pretty soon.
Are you guys doing New York again?
Theres a lot of cool locations in the city that can be used.
REEVES: Yeah, yeah.
Weve just touched the surface.
I started training a couple of months ago.
And then we have some other things that might be a little different.
I like the tease.
But Im also impressed with the fact…
REEVES But its all organic.
For me its character, character, character and for Chad as well, and Derek.
I guess I have one more question, do you envision this for you as a new franchise?
REEVES: No, I still dont know.
I mean, I think for me Im interested in what happens to the guy and in this world.
REEVES: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
And if it succeeds hopefully, knock on wood, we get to make a great movie.
I asked you last time I spoke to you when you might get behind the camera again.
REEVES: Ive been developing some stuff but only on the actor side.
I have not found that story yet to direct.
So nothing has sort of peeked up, or was there something that was close?
REEVES: Yeah there have but…Ehh.
Lets talk about that real fast.
Have you seen a rough cut, have you seen anything?
REEVES: No, I havent.
Obviously Im very excited about that.
REEVES: Yeah.The Bad Batch, Ana Lily [Amirpour], fantastic.
Thats gonna be crazy.
Both of those films are gonna rock peoples worlds.
Daughter of God,The Neon Demon, The Whole Truth,The Bad Batch.
REEVES: Oh yeahThe Whole Truth!
Interesting court room drama.
But either way thats like four projects!
But I was supporting roles.
REEVES: Were kind of still in development.
I dont think its the lack of momentum, I think its just were still dealing with the creative.
So its just really more creative.
I want to reiterate that, The notes are making the series better."
Its so rare to hear that.
REEVES: Yeah but they do.
I mean they can and they cant.
They were good notes to what weve been doing.