Keanu Reeves Begged for Any Role in This Animated Series

Few stars in Hollywood have earned the kind of universal respect that Keanu Reeves enjoys. While many celebrities face rumors about their off-screen behavior, Reeves is almost always described as a genuinely kind and collaborative person. His reputation for being down-to-earth has only grown alongside his blockbuster career.

Reeves’ rise to action stardom is legendary. He’s the face of iconic films like John Wick, Point Break, and Speed—movies that have defined the action genre for decades. But his influence doesn’t stop there. Thanks to his roles in The Matrix series and other science fiction projects, Reeves has become a beloved figure among fans of futuristic storytelling. He’s even co-written the BRZRKR comic book and its companion novel, The Book of Elsewhere, and lent his voice to the video game Cyberpunk 2077.

Keanu’s Passion for Animation

Reeves has never hidden his love for science fiction and fantasy. He’s a self-proclaimed geek who still gets excited about new creative projects. That enthusiasm led him to reach out to creators he admires. After making a guest appearance on Tim Miller’s anthology series Secret Level, Reeves approached Miller with a surprising request. He wanted to be part of Miller’s other animated project, Love, Death & Robots.

Miller, who has long admired Reeves, recalled the moment:

“He is a huge animation fan, and he came down to Blur to talk to me about a movie, another movie entirely and said, ‘What I really want to talk about is Love, Death and Robots, can you tell me all about it? I love animation’,”

Miller said.

“I said, ‘Well, we’re doing this other thing. Would you want to be in it?’ And he said, ‘Fuck yeah’. I said, ‘Do you have anything in particular you want to play?’ And he’s like, ‘No, just put me in coach’, essentially.”

Surprising the Creators

Miller was so taken aback by Reeves’ eagerness that he had to convince his co-creator, Dave Wilson, that the offer was real.

“I asked Dave, ‘If you were to cast Keanu Reeves in the show, what character would he be?’”

Miller remembered.

“At first, Dave thought I was joking that Keanu Reeves wanted to be in the show.”

Reeves’ interest in animation isn’t just talk. In recent years, he’s voiced a comedic take on Batman in DC League of Super-Pets and earned praise for his role as Shadow in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. His willingness to jump into new creative territory shows just how much he values the art form.

New Directions for a Hollywood Icon

Now in his early sixties, Reeves knows he can’t keep up the pace of action sequels forever. That’s part of what makes his interest in animated anthologies so compelling. For him, joining a show like Love, Death & Robots isn’t just a career move—it’s a chance to dive into a passion project and explore new creative ground.