Keanu Reeves has revealed an interesting behind-the-scenes tidbit from the making of the 1994 blockbuster movie, Speed. In the film, Reeves and Sandra Bullock play characters who must navigate a bus through Los Angeles to prevent it from exploding if its speed drops below a certain point. Reeves recalled an intense moment during filming where they actually collided with cars on the street, causing chaos among the cast and crew.
Speaking at Beyond Fest alongside Sandra Bullock and director Jan de Bont, Reeves shared, “When we were crashing through all the cars on the street, I remember we were a little under-informed. We were all on the bus and then we were driving down by San Diego or something. We were set by the ocean, and all of a sudden, we’re actually hitting cars. Boom! Boom! Everyone on their bus lost their mind. People were screaming.”
Despite the dangerous stunt, Bullock clarified that she didn’t actually do any driving in the movie, joking that the bus was not an easy vehicle to manoeuvre. She did, however, obtain her “Santa Monica bus driver’s licence” for her role. Bullock revealed that while she appeared to be driving the bus, there was actually someone driving along the roof, steering the vehicle as needed for the shots.
The success of Speed was monumental, grossing over $350 million worldwide on a budget of just $30 million. However, the 1994 hit did lead to a less successful sequel, Speed 2: Cruise Control, which did not feature Reeves. The sequel, set on a cruise ship, was met with criticism and is regarded as one of the worst sequels in film history.
When asked about the possibility of another Speed movie, Bullock expressed doubts about the industry’s willingness to take on such a project. She stated, “It would require a lot from everybody. I don’t know if we’re in an industry anymore that’s willing to tolerate it and be brave enough to do it. Maybe I could be wrong.”
Although Speed marked the first collaboration between Reeves and Bullock, they later reunited in 2006 for the fantasy romance drama, The Lake House.
The iconic film still holds a special place in the hearts of fans, with its thrilling storyline and memorable performances from Reeves and Bullock continuing to captivate audiences over 30 years later.