Jonathan Groff’s Gushing‑Over‑Keanu Reeves: Training Like a Matrix Legend
When the 36‑year‑old Jonathan Groff walked into the training pad for The Matrix Resurrections, he didn’t just see a Hollywood cast rolling cameras—he saw a master of the craft who’d practically earned his own position on a reality‑TV Iron Survivor show.
First‑Day Footage: Keanu in Jiu‑Jitsu
- Keanu arrived before the rest of us, already clad in a jiu‑jitsu gi, delivering kicks and punches that would put a circus act to shame.
- Groff says the scene looked like “a video game level you’d only see in your wildest dreams.”
- He added: “He set the gold‑standard for the whole squad—no one else could top his intensity.”
Learning From the Action‑Star
When the gears on the stunt set finally finished turning, Groff reflected, “I was blown away by how keanu respects every jab, every elbow, as if the guy is truly learning the magic of the fight, not just smashing through beats.”
“Skating down those choreography” was his phrasing—an image of Keanu turning the set into the ultimate dancefloor for action fans.
Trust, Precision, and A Touch of ‘Bamboozling’
He talked about the weirdly sweet blend of “trust and safety” on set—throwing punches that feel real, yet leave everyone unhurt. “It’s like a practical joke without the punchline,” he chuckled, describing the vacillating melody of violence and confidence.
Remembering Hugo Weaving: A Tribute Goes Viral
Because the top credit in the original Matrix had Hugo Weaving (who previously played Agent Smith), Groff was a fan‑boy‑archaeologist—evidently pedantically watching all the ‘Mr. Anderson!’ clips on YouTube.
- He ate dinner while forever scrolling through the legendary line.
- It’s an attempt to keep the original vibe alive, so our protagonist feels more like a homage—or a last‑minute line‑up ninja—instead of a flat replacement.
And so, as the camera rolled, Groff concluded, “It’s a memory every morning of the world’s most iconic VHS signing off: ‘Look, I literally came in and want to give it to a galaxy and one of the greatest action stars I love.’”
