As I delve deeper into the fascinating world of Hollywood and its intriguing tales, I find myself captivated by the anecdotes surrounding the making of Speed. Sandra Bullock‘s account of Keanu Reeves’ selfless act during the pivotal bus scene is a testament to his dedication as an actor and a gentleman. His ability to balance action and grace in a way that protected both the actress and the viewer’s modesty is truly commendable.
The Beyond Fest reached its peak Tuesday night, as it showcased a pulsating anniversary screening of Jan de Bont’s timeless blockbuster Speed, which was followed by an exhilarating 50-minute Q&A session involving the filmmaker and stars Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. This unique gathering, happening after a span of 30 years, was a testament to their long-standing bond.
Before the event, which was part of the American Cinematheque at Egyptian Theatre series, it was evident that something extraordinary was in store. This was because Reeves, Bullock, and de Bont had never before appeared together on stage to discuss their collaboration on the 1984 film, which unexpectedly garnered over $350 million globally against a production budget of just $30 million. It’s been over a decade since Reeves and Bullock last made a public appearance together, although they frequently express admiration for each other in interviews or magazine articles.
On that particular evening, Bullock stepped out infrequently; she’s been rather private since the hit movie “The Lost City” premiered in summer 2022 and the unfortunate passing of her partner Bryan Randall a year later, in August 2023. Her most recent public appearance was a joint conversation with Reeves for Kris Tapley’s fan podcast, “50 MPH“, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their movie, “Speed“. Tapley, known for organizing Beyond Fest screenings, set the stage for the event with a short speech. “I am thrilled about the vibe in this room tonight,” he hinted, referring to the large crowd gathered.
The Egyptian theater was completely filled with 516 spectators, leaving many disappointed individuals lined up outside for hours, unable to secure a seat. Those fortunate enough to attend the Twentieth Century Fox actioner made the most of its 1 hour and 56-minute duration by enthusiastically applauding at least six different times during key scenes in the movie. The performers received a standing ovation when they took the stage as well.
De Bont couldn’t help but express his admiration during the Q&A session, which was facilitated by Jim Hemphill. Before delving into other topics, the filmmaker felt compelled to share his compliments with the leading actors. “I must say something before we proceed,” he began, “I just met them moments ago after not seeing them for three decades. Watching the movie tonight, I’ve never felt more proud of those two performers. The challenging, often unnatural tasks they undertook for me are simply incredible. The bond they created on-screen is astounding. Seeing them back on the screen tonight, their performances seemed incredibly realistic and flawless. All the emotions, laughter, smiles, even the small kisses were spot-on. It was truly awe-inspiring. I had to tell them how exceptional they both are.
In this screenplay by Graham Yost, titled “Speed”, Keanu Reeves portrays Jack Traven, a Los Angeles police officer who finds himself in a perilous predicament when villain Howard Payne (Dennis Hopper) sets up an L.A. bus with explosives. The twist? If the bus slows down below 50 miles per hour, it will detonate, putting Traven in a race against time to rescue the passengers and prevent disaster. When the bus driver is unfortunately wounded, unexpected passenger Annie Porter, played by Sandra Bullock, steps up to navigate the turbulent circumstances at the wheel.
The lively Q&A covered the behind-the-scenes creative process, the chemistry between Reeves and Bullock, who road the success of Speed to become two of Hollywood’s most bankable and beloved stars, de Bont’s in camera approach to action — “I wanted it to all to be on real roads, real speed, real fast and real dangerous” — and, of course, the question everyone has asked for years: What about a Speed 3? Below are highlights from the conversation.
De Bont recounting when he realized something exceptional was unfolding during filming: “I sensed we were onto something extraordinary from the very beginning. But it wasn’t until I witnessed Keanu and Sandra collaborating seamlessly and performing most of their stunts themselves, which was truly awe-inspiring, that I knew we had something truly special. Their reactions felt genuine because they were reacting to real situations, making it all the more compelling and authentic. Moreover, the film is filled with witty dialogue, and the action never lets up. This isn’t virtual action; there are no special effects. It’s all raw, real-life action.
De Bont explains how he secured his first directorial role:
“I stumbled upon this [script] amongst a stack of those that would never see the light at Paramount. I saw so much potential in the film for the kind of movie I wanted to create. It’s filled with relentless action and characters who are constantly interacting. I felt this project offered me an opportunity to showcase my skills authentically…I wasn’t interested in shooting scenes on studio sets. Instead, I wanted it all to take place on real roads, at real speeds, in real-life dangerous situations. When the bus teeters on two wheels, it really does; when it swerves onto the off-ramp, yes, it does collide with other vehicles.
Bullock shared that she landed the role because others declined: “I was quite nervous when I first auditioned for the part. I can still recall the car I drove, what I was thinking about, even the door I walked through. The room was dimly lit, but I was thrilled to be there and eager to give it my best shot. I didn’t expect to get the role initially, but the only reason I ended up with this opportunity is because others had turned it down before me. I’ve even met some of them. One, two, and three couldn’t take it on [with director de Bont], and then there I was, standing in that dark room.
Reeves on his decision to take on the role following an initial refusal: “I went through the second and subsequent drafts, and I thought, this could be enjoyable. Then I met a brilliant visionary, and I reacted with, ‘Wow, absolutely! This is a director – someone with a clear vision for the story. The cinematographer of Die Hard caught my attention at that time. I was blown away, thinking, ‘Yes!’
Although Sandra Bullock didn’t drive the bus during filming, she still obtained a Santa Monica bus driver’s license for the movie. Here’s an interesting fact: there was someone driving on top of the bus while I was in control, and it felt like I was being jolted into whatever props were set up for me to crash into. However, I never drove the bus myself.
While driving on the freeway, De Bont conceived the idea for the bus to leap into the air: “I found myself behind the wheel when I noticed a gaping hole in the road. I thought it would make for an exciting climax or peak moment of that freeway scene. So, I consulted with various stunt professionals about how we could execute this. We considered factors such as speed and distance required. To lighten the bus, we removed its weight. The driver was actually hanging in his seat rather than sitting due to the risky landing. One bus was specially designed for that stunt. When it came time to film it, I encouraged the driver and stuntman, assuring them that a good speed was crucial for success. He responded casually, ‘I can handle it.’ During our first attempt…he hesitated at the last minute on the ramp and ended up slowing down, which sadly resulted in him not reaching the other side and landing on seven cameras set below to capture the jump. Unfortunately, that bus was destroyed. I urged them to keep the studio unaware of this mishap.
In a crucial scene as we both stepped off the bus, Keanu did more than just help with acting: “I was wearing a light dress and a body suit beneath it. During rehearsals, I found that strong gusts of wind would lift my skirt over my head. Keanu’s role, which was vital for me, was to position his hands in a way that prevented my skirt from being blown away. Not only did he need to perform the stunt to ensure my safety, but he also had to maintain my dignity by hiding what shouldn’t be visible on a 17-foot screen. That’s what I recall about that day.
Regarding the late Dennis Hopper, who portrayed the film’s antagonist, Reeves and de Bont shared their impressions: “He’s incredibly captivating and utterly dedicated,” Reeves commended, with de Bont adding, “And let’s not forget he’s a bit eccentric too.” Reeves concurred, “Absolutely. Despite our labeling him as eccentric, he was a true professional – a seasoned pro. We had some outlandish lines, and his delivery was simply fantastic.
On collaborating with Hopper: “I found him surprisingly ordinary, or perhaps not in the way you might think. While he may have seemed peculiar to others, he was incredibly kind to me. He had a deep passion for his art, always eager to discuss it, appreciate it, and support local artists. He lived life with an insatiable hunger, yearning for more experiences. Working with him was like being surrounded by extraordinary individuals early in my career, and I gained so much knowledge under one roof. Collaborating with Dennis required a certain detachment, but there were moments when his entire body of work seemed to play before my eyes.
De Bont admits that after a film like Speed becomes successful, it presents unanticipated hurdles:“When you create hit films, it’s tough to keep moving forward. The pressure of directing such movies is substantial due to their intensity and constant action, leaving directors drained for quite some time post-production. My life has certainly evolved. It’s wonderful to have more opportunities, but I find it challenging to generate fresh ideas that excite me. As a director, I feel like I am the viewer. What would I want to witness now if I were in the theater as an audience member?
Regarding Speed 3:“Bullock jokingly commented, ‘It’ll be slow-paced, not quick.’ Then she addressed de Bont, ‘All these events transpired due to the eccentric man in the green jacket over there. He seems so calm and placid today, unlike the man I remember. But he’s the one who brought the enthusiasm and the concept together, understood what the audience desired and compelled everyone to deliver it. So, what film would be created that would satisfy Jan’s genius? It would demand a lot from everyone. I wonder if our industry is still willing to accommodate it and show courage to create it. Perhaps I’m mistaken… If he can’t bring [his vision] to the audience, then he’s let them down, it feels like.’ I’m unsure what we could do that would be satisfactory for the audience.
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2024-10-09 13:55