Loading summary
Stephen Colbert
Welcome to Nadia Yada Island.
Metro Ad Voice
Next on Nadia Yada Island.
Stephen Colbert
I knew I deserved so much more, so I left. I finally switched to Metro and got what I was looking for.
Metro Ad Voice
Get one line for only $25 a month with Autopay. Just bring your phone to Metro and experience all the data you want on the largest 5G network. That's nada. Yada yada. Only at Metro by T Mobile. First month is $30. Bring your number and ID offer. Not available if with T Mobile or with Metro. In the past 180 days, Paramount is.
Paramount Ad Voice
Your home for the UEFA Champions League.
Keanu Reeves
Magnificent.
Paramount Ad Voice
And this season is bigger, better, bolder than ever. That was special with more epic matchups, momentous and historic. And more moments from soccer's iconic stars. What a goal. What a player. Doa, Champions League. Stream every match live exclusively on Paramount. The stuff of absolute dreams.
Metro Ad Voice
It's the Late Show Poncho with Stephen Colbert.
Stephen Colbert
Give it up for Louis Cato and the Late Show Band. Thank you, my friends. It's crazy. The world's crazy. It just keeps going.
Keanu Reeves
Gotta go.
Stephen Colbert
World keeps on spinning. Yep, yep. Lewis, that's right. I got. I gotta tell you. What's your guess? I got one of my favorite guests on tonight. You don't get to see this guy on talk shows very often. Keanu Reeves will be out here, folks. You know, if you watch this show, I don't want to brag, but I consider myself fairly deep. I like to ask the awe inspiring questions like, are we alone in the universe? Why does evil exist? And whatever happened in my segment, Big Questions with even bigger stars. We. We haven't done this segment in years because it requires a star both big enough and profound enough to meaningfully consider the mysteries of human existence. Plus, it is a pain in the ass to build that fake hill every time. Well, I'm excited to say we once again tracked down a worthy companion for my journey through the philosophical realm.
This is Big Questions with even bigger stars. Wow. I love staring up at the night sky. Really makes me feel like the only person in the universe.
Keanu Reeves
Um, I'm sorry, should I leave Keanu Reeves?
Stephen Colbert
No.
Wow.
Is this where you go also to be deep?
Keanu Reeves
Everywhere I go, I'm deep. That's true.
Stephen Colbert
Hey. Hey, Keanu.
Keanu Reeves
Yes, Stephen?
Stephen Colbert
Where do we go when we die?
Keanu Reeves
I don't know, but I hope they have mozzarella sticks. Hey, Steven.
Stephen Colbert
Yeah, Keanu?
Keanu Reeves
Do you think youth is wasted on the young?
Stephen Colbert
I don't remember because I spent so much of my youth wasted. Hey, kr.
Keanu Reeves
Yeah, Sc.
Stephen Colbert
Do you Ever think maybe life is just a simulation?
Keanu Reeves
What do you mean?
Stephen Colbert
Like, we're not really here. We're actually just experiencing some sort of virtual computer world. And the real world is actually that, you know, out there, you know, like. Like in that sci fi movie.
Keanu Reeves
Oh, right. Tron.
Stephen Colbert
That was a good one.
Keanu Reeves
Hey, Steve.
Stephen Colbert
Yucky.
Keanu Reeves
If you knew you were going to die tomorrow, what would you do today?
Stephen Colbert
I'd clear my browser history. Or what did you do to die today? Special K, vitamin C. What's on your bucket list?
Keanu Reeves
Oh, it's so long. I mean, let's see. A red bucket, a blue bucket, a KFC bucket. Stevie GB Keeney Reeve. If extraterrestrial life is real, what's the first question you'd ask them?
Stephen Colbert
Oh, that's good. Probably. Could you please take that probe out of my butt? Shooting star.
Keanu Reeves
Shooting star.
Stephen Colbert
Hey, K Cup.
Keanu Reeves
Yeah? Espresso.
Stephen Colbert
What's your favorite quote?
Keanu Reeves
Hmm. I think it's what's your favorite quote by Stephen Colbert?
Stephen Colbert
Whoa.
Keanu Reeves
Wait, that's one of my quotes.
Stephen Colbert
Whoa.
Keanu Reeves
Hey, sdoc.
Stephen Colbert
Yeah, K Cat?
Keanu Reeves
Do you ever think there might be something hiding behind the clouds?
Stephen Colbert
Yes. Sky perverts. Hey, Keebler. Elf.
Keanu Reeves
Yeah, Steve. Top stuffing.
Stephen Colbert
How do you know that memories are real?
Keanu Reeves
Oh, because you can close your eyes and visualize being there. For example, one time in the 90s, I was on this out of control bus with Sandra Bullock.
Stephen Colbert
Keanu, I don't think that's real.
Keanu Reeves
What are you talking about? Of course it's real. Sandra Bullock is real.
Stephen Colbert
I apologize.
Keanu Reeves
Thank you. Hey, Stephen.
Stephen Colbert
Yeah, Kiana?
Keanu Reeves
What do you think happens after all? Yes.
Stephen Colbert
Wow. Well, I think it'll be hard, but I think we'll be grateful for the time we had together. And then I'll throw to a commercial break. We'll be right back with Keanu Reeves.
Jack in the Box Ad Voice
If you need three new reasons to love Jack raps at Jack in the Box even more. Here they are. Chicken fajita, chicken Caesar and delicious. Starting at $3. Coincidentally, those are the same three reasons you should come to Jack in the Box. Right now at Jack, every bite's a big deal.
Keanu Reeves
Welcome to the oil business.
Paramount Ad Voice
Billy Bob Thornton, Demi Moore and Jon Hamm star in a new Paramount plus original series.
The world has already convinced itself that you are evil, and I am evil for providing them the one thing they interact with every day.
Keanu Reeves
Day.
Stephen Colbert
You're all right. Here we go.
Paramount Ad Voice
From Taylor Sheridan, executive producer of Yellowstone.
Stephen Colbert
Get everybody back. You just put a giant bullseye on this place. We rolled the dice one last time.
Paramount Ad Voice
Landman.
New Series now streaming exclusively on Paramount plus roll out. Transformers 1 is now streaming on Paramount Plus.
Keanu Reeves
Awesome.
Paramount Ad Voice
It's the blast from beginning to end.
Stephen Colbert
Okay, stop.
Keanu Reeves
I'm in.
Paramount Ad Voice
Transformers 1, rated PG, now streaming on Paramount Plus.
Stephen Colbert
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to the show. My guest tonight has been entertaining us on screen for over 30 years. Please welcome back to the Late show, the one, the only, the Keanu Reeves.
Nice to see you again.
Keanu Reeves
Nice to see you, man.
Stephen Colbert
You know, I gotta ask you, I want to get into your new book. I want to talk about some of your other projects, of the potential stuff that's out there. But first I gotta ask you about something from earlier this year, because I didn't even know that this. This could happen on this material plane to the man that we think of as Neo and John Wick. But you. You. You got an actual injury.
Keanu Reeves
Oh, I had an ouchie.
Stephen Colbert
To your left knee. To your left knee.
Keanu Reeves
Oh, yeah.
Stephen Colbert
What? What happened? Who got to you?
Keanu Reeves
No one got to me, man. Accident got to me.
Stephen Colbert
But.
Accident, accident.
What. What were you doing? Were you, like, jumping from building to building? Were you.
Keanu Reeves
No.
Stephen Colbert
Doing a cartwheel past razor blades? What were you doing?
Keanu Reeves
No, Stephen, I was walking in the dressing room. Well, a room, a house. Okay, I'll tell it quick. Okay, So I was.
Stephen Colbert
Take all the time you want. After midnight.
Keanu Reeves
No, it was the accident. So I was filming a scene with Aziz Ansari and Seth Rogen, and we were in a cold plunge. A cold plunge in the cold plunge. And I was loving it. It was getting there. But then we finished the scene, and, you know, like, when you're cold and you're like. You know. And I had a bathing suit and a towel.
Stephen Colbert
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Keanu Reeves
You know, and you put it over and you do, like, the cold shuffle.
Stephen Colbert
Yeah, sure, sure.
Yeah.
Keanu Reeves
So I came around the bed in this room in the house. The bed?
Stephen Colbert
Oh, the bed.
Keanu Reeves
You were in the bedroom that had.
Stephen Colbert
A cold plunge in it.
Keanu Reeves
No, no, the cold plunge was outside.
Stephen Colbert
So you've come inside and you're cold.
Keanu Reeves
I'm cold. Yes. But I'm like, deep cold.
Stephen Colbert
Got it.
Keanu Reeves
Because it's a cold plunge.
Stephen Colbert
I understand.
Keanu Reeves
And I'm doing this cold shuffle in this room that had, like, you know, protective carpets down. And then just here, there was like, this little pocket, and my foot got caught in the pocket in the shuffle. And then I went. But then this didn't follow. And then. And then in slow motion, I went falling, and I was like. My arms came out. But then my knee failed because it's got Some stuff. And I spiked, like, spiked.
Stephen Colbert
Wow. Just drove it into the ground and.
Keanu Reeves
My patella kneecap cracked like a potato chip. But I didn't know that. But then once my knee was blowing up and.
Stephen Colbert
Wow. Let me just guess here.
Keanu Reeves
Comedy's hard, man.
Stephen Colbert
That's what I was gonna ask. This was not an action film with Aziz and Rogan.
Keanu Reeves
No, it was comedy.
Stephen Colbert
Wow. Welcome to my life, man. It's not kung fu, it's kung foolish. Okay, so you've. Is that the worst damage you've ever taken? Is that the worst thing that's ever happened to you? Is that cracked kneecap? Cause that sounds terrible.
Keanu Reeves
No, the two level fusion of my spine is probably a little bit.
Stephen Colbert
Was that on a job or was that outside? It was extracurricular.
Keanu Reeves
I mean, it's like another story.
Stephen Colbert
No, it's all we do here is stories, but go ahead.
Keanu Reeves
You're right, man.
Stephen Colbert
Yeah, well, I mean, you don't have to tell the story.
Keanu Reeves
No, but anyway, I had. I had a thing. It was actually just before starting the training of the Matrix, I had an accident.
Stephen Colbert
Go on.
Keanu Reeves
Yeah, yeah. And I had, you know, I was like losing feeling and like I was kind of starting to fall in the shower and I went to see this doctor and he was like, we need to do surgery right now. Because my spinal cord had been sausage by pieces of my inside my. What was it? See in my cervical. Thank you.
Stephen Colbert
Yes.
Keanu Reeves
C5, 6 and C67.
Stephen Colbert
Wow.
Keanu Reeves
So one was splintered, one was compressed and bulging.
Stephen Colbert
How did you do it?
Keanu Reeves
Well, I saw this amazing physician. He went in the knife, he.
Tracker Ad Voice
No, no.
Stephen Colbert
How did you hurt yourself? How did it actually happen? How did you actually break that?
Keanu Reeves
Man, there's so many things. Motorcycle accidents, racket.
Stephen Colbert
Do you still do the motorcycle? Still ride the bike?
Keanu Reeves
Yeah, man, I love it.
Stephen Colbert
So this. And that doesn't work? You just go for it?
Keanu Reeves
No, because during the Matrix I had to wear a thing. I couldn't. Had to move the fight because it had to fuse and then. But it all. All's well that ends well.
Stephen Colbert
Well, listen, you've done it all. You're a movie star, musician, and now you've co authored. You've co authored a graphic novel which we talked about. Berserker. When you're on here now you've got yourself a new book, the Book of Elsewhere. Tell me a little bit about the Book of Elsewhere and your collaborator, China Nieville.
Paramount Ad Voice
Yes.
Keanu Reeves
Yeah, it's China. China, you're here today.
Stephen Colbert
China. There's China right there.
Keanu Reeves
Oh, my gosh. So, Stephen, I'm going to cry, man, because we've been working on this for years and this was like a dream. I'm sorry. In China, and he's with his partner, Season. Amazing. And it's like a reality, man. It's like it's coming out tomorrow. And I collaborated with China and today's the first day I've actually ever seen it finished. I've read it a few times. Read it like five.
Stephen Colbert
That's profound. That's a proud. So what's the collaboration? How did you guys work together on this?
Keanu Reeves
Well, I did this graphic novel, and then one of the ideas was, can we take this character of being unite Berserker the world and have other artists tell stories off of that kind of. Let's call it Playground.
Stephen Colbert
So it's in that Berserker universe.
Keanu Reeves
Yeah. And so I was asked, like, if you were going to do a novel based or inspired by Berserker, who would it be? And China is one of my favorite authors. And I said, China Mieville. And everyone was like, china's a big deal. He's a big deal.
Stephen Colbert
So they were like, you can't get.
Keanu Reeves
China, you can't get China. And I said, but let's try. And so we tried, and then we sent him. China said, yes, thank you, sir. And so. So we started to collaborate and we met in Berlin, and I think it was 2021. I was working. I was doing the Matrix, and he was working on another novel that he's been working on for, like, 20 years. But he took the meeting and he came and he was like, you know, very serious. I had some questions for me about what it would be like to collaborate and what did I want to, you know, what could he bring? What did he want to. What couldn't he do? Like, how much could he play with the toy? Like, how much could he create? And I just had a couple of rules. Like, I wanted to keep the main character kind of his biography, but other than that, just go for it. And then. So we would meet, and then he did a draft. He showed me the draft. We gave some notes, some thoughts, and then another draft, and then certain passages along the way. And here we are.
Stephen Colbert
We have to take a quick break, but Brett back with more Keanu Reeves. Everybody, stick around. We're back with one of the creative minds behind the new book, the Book of Elsewhere, Keanu Reeves. Now, Keanu, last time that we were together, I asked you about if there were any roles out there that you played in the past that you would love to revive and revisit and do you remember this conversation?
Keanu Reeves
Yes.
Stephen Colbert
Okay, this. This is the clip. Jim, is there a character you've played before you'd like to play again that no one is asking you to? Uh, and keep in mind when you say this.
Keanu Reeves
Yeah.
Stephen Colbert
Someone will then ask you to. So be careful how you.
Keanu Reeves
That's not true. No, that's not true.
Stephen Colbert
Who's not gonna want Keanu Reeves to be in another Keanu Reeves movie?
Keanu Reeves
Because that happens. What I want to play. I would love to play John Constantine again from the Constantine.
Stephen Colbert
Great film. Love that. Are you saying right now that if you are willing to play John Constantine again on national television with the prospect that Stephen Colbert might have a guest starring role, that there. Nice that no one will make that movie?
Keanu Reeves
I've tried, Stephen.
Stephen Colbert
Wow. If you get it made. Cause I so enjoyed that movie. Could I play a reluctant demon? Okay, so that was in December of 21. In September of 22. Nine months later, Keanu Reeves is returning for Constantine's sequel with original director Francis Lawrence. What's going on? I don't understand. That headline is almost two years ago. Why haven't you called me to play my reluctant demon? I'm hurt. I'm hurt. Don't be hurt.
Keanu Reeves
Steven, I would love if you were in the film. You know what, though? I have to say thank you because that the power of your show reached so many years.
Stephen Colbert
Okay, There you go.
Keanu Reeves
I got Colbert in the best way and it worked. And so there was some talking. The no started to become a maybe, which became a kind of yes, which became maybe they'll hire a writer and pay a writer. And right now waiting on a script.
Stephen Colbert
All right. But call me anytime if it happens.
Keanu Reeves
Call me anytime if it happens.
Stephen Colbert
I'm in. You're it. Hot damn. All right. Your band, Dog Star, is going out on tour next month.
Keanu Reeves
Yeah.
Stephen Colbert
I mean, people know that you've been musician for many years. Is that like, how they don't know that? They don't know that. I knew. I knew about Dogstar. But like, compare that to being like an actor doing the acting things. Which do you love more?
Keanu Reeves
The love more question.
Stephen Colbert
Okay. You don't have to be loved more. How about that? How much do you love being on the road with Dogstar?
Keanu Reeves
I really enjoy it. I love playing music. I love being in the band. I love being a part of writing the songs, playing in front of an audience, you know, just like.
Stephen Colbert
What do you play?
Keanu Reeves
I mean, I play electric bass.
Stephen Colbert
Electric bass. Okay. Is that the Only instrument you play? Electric bass.
Keanu Reeves
Yes.
Stephen Colbert
If you were going to pick up a second one, what might it be?
Keanu Reeves
Cello.
Stephen Colbert
Cello, yeah.
Yeah. Wow. Yeah, you're big enough, you can just call Yo Yo Ma and say, I need a couple of lessons.
Keanu Reeves
Sure.
Stephen Colbert
Yo Yo's cool.
Keanu Reeves
I said it on this show with you. Maybe I'll get to there.
Stephen Colbert
Yo yo, we have to get you and Keanu together. You teach him cello, he'll teach you.
Keanu Reeves
Kung fu, jazz, Bach, JS Bach, Cello, Suite number one in G. I just want to be able to play one piece.
Stephen Colbert
Wow.
You know, that's a good choice. Yeah, that's what he's most famous. That's like one of his signature pieces.
Keanu Reeves
I've seen. I've seen.
Stephen Colbert
Wow. What if. What about this? Constantine gets made. Yo Yo's in it, too. Wait, you, me and Yo yo ma in Constantine 2. I mean, now it's getting made and now it's. You got the soundtrack. Wait, no.
Keanu Reeves
He could do part of the soundtrack, right? You could play your reluctant demon and then.
Stephen Colbert
You don't like the idea of a reluctant demon.
Keanu Reeves
What does that mean? Because he really wants to be a.
Stephen Colbert
Reluctant demon is like.
Keanu Reeves
He really wants to be an angel.
Stephen Colbert
Well, he kind of sees an appeal to. He's curious, you know, in some ways, to a demon who perceives their evil as actually a virtue. The temptation, the sin for them might be flirting with goodness. And he's curious what it would like.
To be good for a bit.
What's it like, John? What's it feel like, John? It's my kink as a demon is doing good things. Isn't that. That's my choice, you know.
Keanu Reeves
Wow.
Stephen Colbert
We're gonna take another little break here. We'll be right back with more Keanu Reeves.
Everybody say good.
We're back with one of the creators of the Book of Elsewhere, along with China Mieville Keanu Reeves. Keanu. Okay, this year. This year, huge, huge anniversaries for you. You got this year, a lot of anniversaries. Bill and ted's Excellent Adventure 35. Just last week. Literally, just last. Point Break 33. Speed 30. The Matrix. 25. And John Wick, 10. Quick run. I'll do a quick run. I'm just going to do Lightning Round. I'll name the film. Tell me your fondest memory of each one. I'm ready. Ready.
Keanu Reeves
Wait, what? What?
Stephen Colbert
Bill and Ted.
Keanu Reeves
No.
Stephen Colbert
Fond memory.
Keanu Reeves
Friendship and acting with Alex Winter.
Stephen Colbert
Point Break.
Keanu Reeves
The genius of Kathryn Bigelow and the beauty and professional awesome Patrick Swayze.
Stephen Colbert
Speed.
Keanu Reeves
Sandra Bullock and Jan de Bont, the director are saying, give me the camera.
Stephen Colbert
The Matrix. We'll be right back after this. And we're back.
Keanu Reeves
The Matrix changed my life. And then over these years, it's changed so many other people's lives in really positive and great ways. And so as an artist to be, you hope for that when you. When you get to do a film or tell a story. And so when you say these years and the amount of people that I've met who have said to me and been touched by the Matrix in such a positive way, it's the best.
Stephen Colbert
Thank you so much for being here. Thanks for that. The book of elsewhere is in bookstores tomorrow. It's Keanu Reeves, everybody. Thank you for listening to the late show pod show with Stephen Colbert. Just one more thing. If you want to see more of me, come to The Late Show YouTube channel for more clips and exclusives. I don't want to get promoted. I want to stay charmingly insubordinate. I'm okay.
Paramount Ad Voice
Now streaming.
Stephen Colbert
Let's do this. Am I catching it?
Paramount Ad Voice
Yeah. Prepare for an adventure.
Metro Ad Voice
I know these guys.
Stephen Colbert
They're super nice. Hey, what's up, my man?
Paramount Ad Voice
Five seasons in the making.
Stephen Colbert
God damn it. This is terrible.
This keeps getting cooler by the second.
Paramount Ad Voice
Star Trek lower decks Final season now streaming.
Tracker Ad Voice
Now streaming on Paramount. Plus, what's your job? When people go missing, I get hired.
Stephen Colbert
To help find them.
Tracker Ad Voice
Catch up now on Tracker. I'm here to help the CBS original series that critics are calling a breakout hit.
Keanu Reeves
Nothing good comes without risks. I would drink to that.
Tracker Ad Voice
Justin Hartley stars.
Stephen Colbert
Hold on. Did you say arrow Run?
Keanu Reeves
That's a new one.
Tracker Ad Voice
Coulter in the CBS original Tracker. Catch up on the latest episodes now on Paramount.
Stephen Colbert
Plus.
The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert feat. Keanu Reeves | Colbert Classic Release Date: January 6, 2025
In this special "Colbert Classic" episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert, host Stephen Colbert welcomes the multifaceted star Keanu Reeves. Known for his iconic roles in films like The Matrix and John Wick, Reeves brings his unique blend of humor, depth, and humility to the conversation.
Timestamp: 01:20 – 07:00
Colbert introduces a revived segment titled "Big Questions with Even Bigger Stars," aiming to delve into profound topics with influential figures. This segment sets a playful tone as Colbert engages Keanu Reeves with a series of philosophical questions.
Existence and the Universe
Youth and Wisdom
Reality Simulations
Memories and Reality
This segment blends humor with introspection, showcasing Reeves' ability to balance lightheartedness with meaningful discourse.
Timestamp: 08:09 – 12:54
Colbert shifts the conversation to Reeves' personal experiences, addressing an actual injury Reeves sustained earlier in the year.
Reeves recounts the incident during a film scene with Aziz Ansari and Seth Rogen involving a cold plunge. His knee injury, resulting from an unfortunate slip, showcases his dedication to performing physically demanding roles.
Reeves discusses overcoming spinal injuries and the rigorous process of recovery, highlighting his resilience and commitment to his craft.
Timestamp: 12:54 – 18:28
A significant portion of the interview delves into Reeves' foray into writing, specifically his collaboration on The Book of Elsewhere with acclaimed author China Miéville.
Reeves explains the creative synergy between him and Miéville, emphasizing mutual respect and the blending of their unique storytelling styles. The book is described as an extension of Reeves' graphic novel Berserker, expanding its universe through collaborative narrative.
The conversation underscores the emotional depth and personal significance of the project for Reeves, illustrating his passion beyond acting.
Timestamp: 18:04 – 22:54
Colbert explores Reeves' cinematic journey, focusing on his desire to revisit past characters and upcoming projects.
Reeves expresses enthusiasm for reprising the role of John Constantine, hinting at potential future collaborations with Colbert in a hypothetical sequel.
Discussing his musical endeavors, Reeves highlights his love for performing with Dogstar, revealing his artistic versatility beyond acting.
Reeves shares his passion for the electric bass and his interest in learning the cello, demonstrating his continuous pursuit of artistic growth.
Timestamp: 21:03 – 23:07
In a nostalgic segment, Reeves reflects on significant anniversaries of his landmark films, sharing personal anecdotes and the profound influence these works have had on both himself and audiences worldwide.
Reeves extols The Matrix not just as a career-defining role but as a cultural phenomenon that has inspired countless individuals, underscoring the film's lasting legacy.
Timestamp: 23:07 – End
As the interview wraps up, Reeves promotes the release of The Book of Elsewhere, inviting listeners to engage with his latest literary endeavor. Colbert thanks Reeves for his candid and insightful participation, closing the episode on a heartfelt note.
Keanu Reeves on Life and Simulations:
On Collaboration:
Reflecting on The Matrix:
This episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert offers a profound glimpse into Keanu Reeves' life beyond the silver screen. From philosophical musings and personal injuries to creative collaborations and musical passions, Reeves showcases his depth as an artist and individual. Colbert's witty and engaging hosting style complements Reeves' introspective yet humorous demeanor, making for a compelling and memorable conversation.
For fans and newcomers alike, this episode provides rich insights into Keanu Reeves' multifaceted career and personal philosophies, all delivered with the signature charm and wit that define The Late Show.
Stay Connected: