Jonathan Groff, who plays the latest iteration of Agent Smith in The Matrix Resurrections, commends Keanu Reeves' remarkable work ethic. The Matrix Resurrections is the fourth installment of the Matrix franchise and serves as a sequel to 2003's The Matrix Revolutions. Set in San Francisco 60 years after the events of the third film, the story follows Neo in his seemingly ordinary life as Thomas Anderson when a new version of Morpheus reopens his mind to the world of the Matrix by offering him the red pill.
Directed by Lana Wachowski, the film sees Keanu Reeves return as the iconic protagonist Neo, with Carrie Anne-Moss once again joining him as Trinity. Jada Pinkett Smith and Lambert Wilson also reprise their roles from the previous Matrix films while new additions to the cast include Jessica Henwick, Jonathan Groff, Neil Patrick Harris, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who plays Morpheus. After delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the film finally made its theatrical debut on December 22 and received mostly positive reviews with a Certified Fresh rating of 66% on Rotten Tomatoes.
While speaking to THR about Matrix 4 in a recent interview, Jonathan Groff revealed why he thinks Keanu Reeves "sets the bar" for his co-stars in training as far as work ethic is concerned and described the kind of preparations the star made for their fight scene. Groff mentioned that Reeves was always the first one on set to train and gear up for the combat sequences. Check out what he had to say below:
"Absolutely. All of the rumors are true about Keanu’s level of work ethic. He was there training and getting ready before all of us got there. My first day in the training tent, Keanu was in his jiu-jitsu outfit doing kicks and punches. I mean, he really sets the bar for all of us in the training."
The Mindhunter actor continued to praise Reeves and expressed his excitement at getting to work with an actor who is extremely "devoted to his craft." Groff also stated that he tried to embrace "every single moment" on set with "the greatest action star of our time" and learn as much as he possibly could from him, recalling it as an experience he will remember for the rest of his life and always hold close to his heart.
Like in many of his past action films like John Wick, Reeves has developed an admirable reputation of being an actor who performs most of his own stunts, especially ones involving hand-to-hand combat. While Reeves' undoubted competence at physically demanding roles is not much of a secret, Groff's reaction to the celebrated actor's diligence and approach to complex fight sequences is understandable as The Matrix 4 marks the Hamilton star's first real taste of working in a big-budget action flick. Fans catch the thrilling and pulse-pounding encounter between Neo and Groff's Smith in The Matrix Resurrections in cinemas or on HBO Max.
Source: THR