In 1998, Keanu Reeves seemed more interested in having fun with his rock band, Dogstar, than immersing himself in his acting career. Then he landed the lead role in "The Matrix". The rest, as they, say, is history dude...

You've said that training for the sequels was more physically demanding than for "The Matrix". What kind of training did you have to do, and have you continued with the kung fu?

I have not continued with the movie kung fu! But yeah, it was a lot more demanding this time around. The fights were a little more sophisticated. It wasn't just one-on-one. There were multi-character fights and the weapons involved meant you needed more training. It started with four months of training - just basic stretching, kicking and punching. Then the choreography is when the whole dance comes together.

Did you ever wish they would just bring in the stuntman and give you a break?

No. Why we do the training is so we can participate in the physical action that they [the Wachowski brothers] want us to do, for the simple reason that if you can get close and see the actors performing in an action sequence, hopefully your experience of the film will be enhanced. You're going to relate to the characters, seeing what they go through. It's also, for me, one of the most enjoyable aspects of it. It's good fun.

What else can you say about the experience of working with the Wachowski brothers?

They're very, very specific in terms of what you're doing and how you do it. They were always after a specific feeling. They were all about the idea they wanted to get across, and what they wanted the audience to feel. Yeah, very specific.

The hype around this film is incredible. Do you take much notice of all the hoopla that surrounds a film like this?

It's different with each picture, but with this experience, I am really excited about it. I am watching its progress, and I am seeing what's going on, and how people are responding and reacting to it. I really just want to try and soak in this exceptional experience.

Are you concerned that the film might not live up to all the hype?

I don't really know about that. I loved the material when I first read it, and then the experience of making the film was a great one. I just hope that when people see this film, they get something out of it. I think more than anything else, it's a story of hope.

What did you, personally, take away from the experience of making the trilogy?

I'm still finding that out. But, I know that it was the most incredible experience of my career. First of all, it's an incredible role and I got to work with really great writers. Participating in a film that I specifically loved so much, on the page, and in the creating of it, and even with the amount of time it took to make it.

You know, sometimes when you make a film you go away for a few months and you make a movie and you come back to your life. But this experience was my life for so long. So, it struck a deep chord in me and trying to speak about it in an objective way... well, I don't have that ability yet.