Keanu Reeves takes a trip down memory lane and gushes about his time with his “hero” Gene Hackman.
Keanu starred alongside Gene in the 2000s The replacementsin which the legendary actor played coach Jimmy McGinty, who manages the substitutes on a football team. The matrix star played left-handed quarterback Shane Falco.
Reeves, 61, recalled making the film while speaking with Jason and Travis Kelce on their podcast New heights.
Jason praised Gene’s performance as a coach and asked Keanu what it was like working with him.
The John Wick star called the actor “my hero”. He explained: “When you look at his career, the breadth of roles like comedy, drama, the filmmakers, it’s just so special. And he was really nice to me.”
“He was generous and we had good chemistry,” he continued.
Sharing insight into what Gene was like on set, he added: “Basically he was like no nonsense, no b——- came to work ready to go, knew the lines, knew what was going on and didn’t really suffer for people who didn’t,” he said.
“He had a look,” Keanu added, mimicking the Unforgiven star’s look.
Travis noted that Gene sounds like a “real coach” and shared that Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid can give one look and tell you “you better tighten it up.”
Keanu went on to clear up rumors that he was approached by the Ravens to play in the NFL.
“It’s absolute nonsense,” said Keanu Reeves, “don’t start believing you can really do it.”
