Keanu Reeves, who recently lent his voice for Johnny Silverhand in the new Cyberpunk 2077 video game, revealed which comics he enjoys most.
Reeves shared that he's always been a fan of the cyberpunk sci-fi genre, which is generally set within a dystopian future, in a recent interview with Vanity Fair. Specifically, Reeves praised Frank Miller's Ronin for "the storytelling, the graphic-ness of it." Reeves also added that he grew up on Blade Runner, the 1960s version of Batman and the Lord of the Rings books.
"It's [about] appropriating and mixing styles and genres -- and there's a kind of making your own world to that," he continued. "When you get into fantasy and science fiction…a lot of times these stories are antihero stories or about fighting against the system or trying to break something down or the reluctant hero. I guess as a forming young person, whatever psychologically, I related to that." Reeves, who stars in the popular Matrix sci-fi franchise, also pointed out that "sometimes cyberpunk stuff looks cool."
He also shared what attracted him to the Cyberpunk 2077 project. The actor revealed that the role of Johnny Silverhand "was kind of presented as a voice looking to confront corporate hypocrisy and systems of control," which excited him. "It’s 17-plus, so there’s a lot of violence," he added. "You can choose a track where there is less violence. But I think, the bottom line of the game, there is definitely some kind of positive aspiration to it, to reflect, and to think about one’s actions, one's deeds, who they are and how we can impact others."
Developed and published by CD Projekt, Cyberpunk 2077 is set in a futuristic American megacity called Night City, which is located in the Free State of North California. The game allows players to assume the first-person perspective of V, an outlaw who in search of an implant said to be the key to immortality. Reeves' likeness and voice were used for the Johnny Silverhand character, a rocker and "digital ghost" that exists inside of the V's head. Cyberpunk 2077 is available to play now on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC.
In addition to his work in Cyberpunk 2077, Reeves reprised the role of Ted in Bill & Ted Face the Music earlier this year. He is also set to return as Neo in the planned fourth installment of the Matrix franchise, which is set for release in 2021. Reeves will also reprise his role as John Wick in John Wick: Chapter 4 (2022) and Joh Wick: Chapter 5.
Source: Vanity Fair