"Warner Bros. distrib chief Dan Fellman... is also bullish about 'The Replacements,' which had 800 sneaks on Saturday. About 80% of theaters were 50%-100% full and 85% of auds [audiences] rated the football comedy 'very good' or 'excellent.' Keanu Reeves' first post-'Matrix' release opens Aug. 11."

In Style, TV Guide, People, W, Vanity Fair, Detour, Rolling Stone (Keanu on cover). Sorry I have no dates for these magazines.

Also, Dogstar is to make a TV appearance on the Farmclub on July 14th. I have NO idea what this program is or what time it airs.

Don't forget Dogstar will appear on Jay Leno tomorrow night!

1.ALARMING
2.SLIPPING DOWN
3.HALO
4.WOUND
5.CORNERSTORE
6.ENEMIES
7.YOU WORLD
8.SUPERSTAR
9.STAGGER
10.HONESTY ANYWAY
11.BREATHE TONIGHT
12.GOODBYE
13.SWIM
14.A DREAMTIME
15.DENIAL
-----------------------------------------
1.32 STORIES
2.IT'S TOO LATE
3.WASINGTON
4.WISH YOU WERE HERE
5.BLOWN AWAY

We have updated Keanu's Upcoming Films (see link to the left). The Replacements now has a link to the Trailer. The Gift has added another picture of Keanu.

Dateline: June 10, 2000:

We hear that Dogstar will do another chat on July 13th, this time on eonline. There is no mention of it yet on the site. Details as they become known.

If you missed the MTV Movie Awards, they will be repeated several times. Check out the MTV site for details.

Dateline: June 9, 2000:

The Dogstar Yahoo Chat transcript is up. This link will take you right to it.

TV Alert: Dogstar will appear on Jay Leno July 13th.

There are some Keanu pix from last night's MTV Movie Awards. (MTV site - picture gallery).

From the World Entertainment Newswire:

Keanu Signs Up For Movie With Inner City Kids 

Keanu Reeves has signed up to star opposite a bunch of unknown inner-city kids - as their coach. Reeves is set to go in front of the camera in August in Chicago to film his movie Hardball (2001) - an urban film about a guy who's down on his luck and ends up having to coach a team of children. The love interest for the The Matrix (1999) hunk is yet to be cast, but producer Michael Tollin says the major casting headache is already over. He says, "The casting is complicated, you're finding mostly unknown young kids, eight, nine, 10-years- old, and you have to find kids who can both act and play a little ball. It's a real tricky one."

Dateline: June 8, 2000:

Reminder: The MTV Movie Awards air tonight!

Dogstar news: Happy Ending gets released in Japan on June 24th. Here in the US it's on July 11th (but we get a signing in New York). Cornerstone, a single from the album, will be released to radio stations on June 13th. Many of them already have it, so call up your local station.

A note about the Yahoo Dogstar chat last Monday: Keanu was a no-show due to filming late, but Bret and Rob participated. As of today, the transcript of the chat is not posted, but it should show up eventually here.

Dateline: June 5, 2000:

The Replacements has been rated PG-13. The release date of The Watcher has been moved up to September 8th.

Dateline: June 5, 2000:

Just a reminder that the MTV Movie Awards will first air on June 8th at 9pm ET, 8pm Central. Here is Keanu with his award. Here's a second picture. The awards show is generally repeated several times.

Dateline: June 4, 2000:

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The Matrix a sci-fi extravaganza starring Keanu Reeves, snagged three prizes including best movie at the ninth annual MTV Movie Awards Saturday. 

Reeves walked off with the best male performance trophy and shared the best fight prize with co-star Laurence Fishburne. 

"It's all good," Reeves told reporters backstage, in characteristic understatement.

The box office smash, which won four Academy Awards in March, stars Reeves as Neo, whose body undergoes a cybertronic retrofit so that he can save the world against malevolent technological forces. Plans are underway to shoot two back-to-back sequels in Australia, set for release in Christmas 2002 and the summer of 2003, said producer Joel Silver.

Dateline: June 4, 2000:

As expected, it has been verified that Keanu was NOT in Yuma. Here's the story from the Yuma Sun:

Dateline: June 2, 2000:

You can now order Dogstar's new CD Happy Ending at the Dogstar Shop!

Dateline: June 2, 2000:

Tonight on Entertainment Tonight: A segment on The Replacements. Check your local listings!

As we reported a month ago (Dateline: April 27, 2000, below) the TV show Action will re-run on FX Cable TV. It's due to begin Tuesday, June 20, from 10:30-11:00 PM ET/PT. Keanu had a cameo in the first episode.

Dateline: June 2, 2000:

Dogstar Interview in People Magazine June 5, 2000. (Thanks Kris!)

Dateline: May 30, 2000:

More Dogstar. On the Dogstar page we have added a 4mb MP3 file of Dogstar's cover of "Superstar." (Thanks Dana.)

Dateline: May 30, 2000:

Here is an updated list of Dogstar's upcoming tour:

Dateline: March 7, 2000:

We hear that Dogstar may make an appearance in Japan in June.

Dateline: March 7, 2000:

NEW YORK (Variety) - Columbia surprisingly halted development on The Ottoman Empire, the comedy that had Keanu Reeves set to star for director Andrew Bergman.

Reeves had agreed to play a furniture salesman with a hidden past as a sex film superhero, a secret that comes to the forefront when the nation's first lady, fed up with her philandering husband, sets out to bed the former stud. Reeves' commitment to do the film before back-to-back Matrix sequels suddenly made it a hot project.

Sources said that Columbia decided to back off because execs felt the budget was too high at just north of $50 million. 

According to sources, Reeves was preparing to depart and choose another project to fill that slot.

Dateline: February 28, 2000:

Dateline: February 26, 2000:

E! has announced that Keanu is expected to be a presenter at the Oscar^® presentations to be televised March 26th at 6:00pm Pacific time on ABC. The Matrix has been nominated for 4 Academy Awards: Film Editing, Sound, Sound Effects, and Visual Effects.

Dateline: February 22, 2000:

The website for Driven is now up.

Dateline: February 22, 2000:

The New York Post: So what do you do on a weekend in Savannah, Ga., when there's a break in the film you're making? The stars of The Gift -- written by Billy Bob Thornton and directed by Sam Raimi -- followed the locals to the Civic Arena for the monster-truck races, a Southern diversion if ever there was one. 

The outing was organized by Hilary Swank and her husband, Chad Lowe, and they had co-stars Keanu Reeves, Cate Blanchette, Katie Holmes, Greg Kinnear and Ron Eldard making vroom-vroom noises as loud as any good ol' boy in the stands. 

Dateline: February 19, 2000:

Here's the plot for The Gift that Keanu is currently filming in Savannah, Georgia:

Goodhearted Annie Wilson (Cate Blanchett) is a recently widowed mother of three young boys in the tiny town of Brixton, Georgia, who bears "the gift" of psychic vision. Scorned by the narrow-minded town citizens, Annie struggles to support herself and her sons by giving psychic readings to eccentric locals, including Valerie (Hilary Swank), the wife of town bully, Donnie (Keanu Reeves) and car mechanic, Buddy (Giovanni Ribisi). When Annie is drawn into the police investigation of a high-profile local murder, she finds herself in increasing danger and is left to unravel the town's dark secrets. Her "gift" is her only hope to save herself and her family.

Scheduled release for The Gift is the fall of 2000, so it looks like we may get two Keanu films released close together (the other being The Replacements, also due in the fall).

Dateline: February 18, 2000:

You like those cool Matrix action figures, right? Well get set for more. See the next wave of figures (including some cool 12" ones) and toys.

Dateline: February 14, 2000:

The film Sweet November is next up for Keanu with lensing beginning February 28th in the San Francisco area. Charlize Theron is due to co-star as the dying woman that Keanu falls in love with.

Dateline: January 26, 2000:

Keanu is slated to star in Columbia's The Ottoman Empire, a political parody penned and directed by Andrew Bergman (Isn't She Great).

The flick tells the story of an furniture salesman who used to be a porn star  (played by Keanu) who's blackmailed into providing certain vocational services to the First Lady of the United States.

No word yet on when the film will go in front of the camera. Trade papers report that the project will probably begin shooting some time between Sweet November and The Matrix sequels (set to go into production this fall). 

The Matrix sequels may not shoot in Australia as planned due to the popularity of the shooting facilities there. Producers are scouting other locations.

Dateline: January 25, 2000:

Keanu has arrived in Savannah, Georgia, to begin shooting his supporting role in The Gift. (See Dateline January 3, 2000 below, for more info.)

Dateline: January 22, 2000:

Dogstar have completed their debut U.S. album titled Happy Ending coming in Summer 2000. The 11-song LP is the group's long-awaited work, which experienced recording and production delays due to members' hectic schedules. Dogstar features Bret Domrose (vocals, guitar), Keanu Reeves (bass) and Rob Mailhouse (drums). 

Happy Ending is produced and recorded by Michael Vail Blum (Goo Goo Dolls, Suicidal Tendencies) along with producer/recorder/mixer Richie Zito (The Cult, Cheap Trick). According to vocalist Domrose, the new LP is more "pop-aggressive" than Dogstar's previous sound. The band's first LP, Our Little Visionary, was recorded in '96 and released only in Japan by the now-defunct Zoo Entertainment/BMG label. The EP, Quattro Formaggi, also on Zoo Entertainment/BMG, was recorded in early '96 and released in the states and abroad. 

Dogstar completed last year's headlining U.S. spring tour to sold-out venues-including a closing night slot at England's venerable "Glastonbury Festival"-and will undoubtedly return for a national U.S. tour this summer. The band is also eager to set foot back in Japan, a visit tentatively planned for late-summer. 

Visit the band's official website http://www.dogstaronline.com for more information.  

Dateline: January 15, 2000:

Unfortunately, there is more to report on Keanu's daughter, Ava. The January 25th issue of The Globe reports that the baby was stillborn on December 24th. There is a picture of Keanu and Jennifer visiting her gravesite in Los Angeles on January 5th. Many of us were hoping against hope that this story was not true, and now it seems that we have had the confirmation that we feared. Our most heartfelt condolences to Keanu, Jennifer and their families.

Dateline: January 12, 2000:

It has been widely reported in the world press that Ava Archer, the newborn daughter of Keanu and Jennifer Syme, has not survived. There has been no official statement by Keanu, Jennifer or their representatives as of yet. 

Dateline: January 6, 2000:

We hear that someone in Keanu's family just purchased some property, some 30 miles south of San Francisco. No details yet as to exactly who that is.

Dateline: January 4, 2000:

It looks like The Replacements will now be released in October 2000 instead of August. Of course, all release dates are subject to change.

Dateline: January 3, 2000:

Keanu Reeves has committed to the supporting role of a vicious, wife-beating murder suspect in The Gift, the Sam Raimi-directed drama from Lakeshore Entertainment that’s slated for release by Paramount Classics.

Giovanni Ribisi has also been set for the film, which stars Cate Blanchett, Katie Holmes and Ron Eldard. With the addition of Reeves and Ribisi and several roles yet to be finalized, The Gift is shaping up as a pic with an exceptionally strong cast given its budget of less than $10 million.

Reeves’ commitment is akin to Tom Cruise joining the ensemble of New Line’s Magnolia, in that he took a pay cut to work with a noted director and play a part far from his usual heroic mode. Reeves jumped at the chance to work with Raimi and, without the burden of carrying the movie, play a part far different than any he’s tried before. Reeves, who usually gets $15 million against 15% of the gross, will work for scale.

The drama, scripted by Billy Bob Thornton and Tom Epperson, concerns a clairvoyant woman from a small Southern town who becomes enmeshed in a murder investigation.

Reeves will play a redneck who becomes the prime suspect in that murder and who threatens the psychic’s life after she counsels his battered wife. 

Lensing will begin Feb. 7, giving Reeves time to make that film before stepping into the Warner Bros./Bel Air remake of Sweet November, to be directed by Pat O’Connor (Circle of Friends). Sweet November is due to begin shooting February 28, 2000.

Reeves will be paid his usual salary to star in November, his first romance since A Walk in the Clouds, portraying a tycoon who falls in love with a dying woman who wants no part of a long commitment.

Though he may squeeze in yet another film before, Reeves will most likely follow Sweet November by stepping back into action hero mode and an ambitious 250-day shoot of back-to-back Matrix sequels with Larry and Andy Wachowski for Warner Bros., Village Roadshow Pictures and producer Joel Silver. Reeves will be paid a combined $30 million against 15% for the two Matrix films.

Dateline: December 5, 1999:

The transcript of the live Carrie-Anne Moss web chat has been posted here.

Dateline: December 2, 1999:

Keanu has been spotted around Chicago at various restaurants. At one, he was accompanied by a young girl and her mother as part of the Make A Wish Foundation. The little girl's wish was to spend three hours with Keanu, but he spent the entire day with her. Keanu has participated in the program before.

Dateline: November 29, 1999:

Variety reports that Keanu is in final talks to star in Sweet November. The original Sweet November film was about a New York tycoon who falls for a girl who insists on taking a new lover every month because she is dying. The Warner Bros. remake will be directed by Pat O'Connor with production due to begin February 28th, 2000. Keanu will reportedly be paid $15 million plus 15% of the B.O. gross for his services.

The Replacements is due to be released in theatres in August of 2000.

Dateline: November 22. 1999:

Well we hate gossip, but this could be true so we're posting it anyway:

Dateline: November 19, 1999:

Live Matrix Web Chat tonight with Carrie-Anne Moss at 7pm (EST)/ 4pm (PST) HAS BEEN POSTPONED to Tuesday, November 23rd at 8pm (EST)/5pm (PST)

Link up through the PPV site.

Dateline: November 18, 1999:

Matrix is now being shown on Pay Per View around the USA. Check out the Warner Bros. Pay Per View site.

Dateline November 12, 1999:

There's a lot of talk about which of the many upcoming films Keanu is actually going to do. It looks like Keanu plans to shoot Fishing For Moonlight before he goes to Australia next fall to shoot the two Matrix sequels. Fishing For Moonlight is based on a true story of a stockbroker whose life is destroyed when he frees a prostitute from the Russian mafia. Only catch about this film is that at the moment, the script is not yet ready. Keanu also hopes to do Sweet November  (see Dateline: August 24 below) before the fall, so it is possible that he will do both before the Matrix sequels. And where does that leave Shooter? Maybe that will fill in if Fishing For Moonlight doesn't get it's script ready in time. Just a guess. (Contrary to rumor, Shooter and Driven are NOT the same film.)

Dateline November 11, 1999:

Hurray! Dogstar's first full-length CD , Our Little Visionary, (which has been very hard to find lately) is now available online for only $12.99! Go to the  Dogstar shop!

And we've got some very cool Matrix posters for you to buy as well. Go to  The Matrix shop.

Lots of other cool stuff is available too. Take a look.

Dateline November 10, 1999:

As reported by the Chicago Sun-Times today, Keanu has arrived in Chicago and is now shooting Driven. Shooting began on November 1st, but Keanu had not yet finished his work on The Replacements.

Link to the Matrix chat transcript with the Wachowski Brothers.

Dateline November 4, 1999:

James Spader has stepped into the
Christian Slater role and will co-star with Keanu Reeves in Driven.

Dateline November 2, 1999:

Hot for those new Matrix action figures? Pre-order them at KBKids.

Keanu will be fighting Brad Pitt in Celebrity Deathmatch on MTV on November 4, 1999, at 10:00 PM. These are claymation bouts that feature celebrities. The show will be repeated on November 6th (Saturday) and November 11th (Thursday).

Dateline October 21, 1999:

Keanu's next film, Driven, due to start filming in the Chicago area on November 1, 1999, needs some extras. Here's the scoop from Tonia:

So here's the scoop if you're near the Chicago area and are interested in being an extra.

They are looking for adults and children of all ages and types. "All talent will be paid."

The casting agency is having an open call on Saturday, October 30, in Chicago, between 9 am and 1 pm at Tommy Gun's Garage, a dinner theatre near the Loop, at 1239 South State Street. There is free parking and they say to be sure to use the rear entrance.

They want you to bring a head shot (if you have one), several different color snapshots (being sure to put your name and contact information on the back of each one), a black pen, and $5 (cash only, exact change) for a digital photo they will take there (they will e-mail the digital photo to you if you desire). (A friend pointed out that it sounds like they're creating a computer database of the extras with the digital photos.)

For more information, call 312/409-5521 and press "1" for "first time call" information.

If you can't make it to the casting call, you can send several photos and your contact information, along with your height, weight, kind of car you drive, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to:

ReginaCast, P.O. Box 585, Willow Springs, Illinois 60480.

Dateline October 7, 1999:

It appears that Driven will be Keanu's next film. It's due to begin shooting in Chicago on November 1, 1999. Take a look at the preliminary poster for Driven.

I hear Dogstar's new album ("Happy Ending") has been delayed. Look for it next spring.

Dateline September 9, 1999:

Keanu makes a cameo appearance on the premiere of the new TV show "Action" on Thursday September 16th. Check your local listings.

Dateline September 2, 1999:

Keanu is 35 years old today! Happy Birthday!

Dateline September 1, 1999:

Here is a new photo of Keanu on the set of The Replacements. Here's another.

Dateline August 27, 1999:

Dateline August 24, 1999:

Looks like Warner Brothers is very anxious to keep Keanu employed. After he wraps The Replacements for them, Warners wants his next film to be "Sweet November," a remake of a film that starred Anthony Newley as a tycoon infatuated with a woman (Sandy Dennis) who takes a new lover every month, knowing she hasn't long to live. Don't know what that will do to the shooting plans of Shooter and Driven. I assume that after The Replacements wraps, Keanu will go on tour with Dogstar in support of their new album due in October, "Happy Ending." When will he get the time?

The Matrix parts 2 and 3 are tentatively due to be shot back to back in the fall of 2000.

Keanu also took a bit of time off from filming The Replacements to fly to Tokyo for the opening there of The Matrix. He doesn't look tired does he?

Dateline August 19, 1999:

I am informed that the Matrix action figures should be available in November or December of this year.

Dateline August 16, 1999:

Matrix action figures are coming! (release date unknown).

And speaking of The Matrix, the film will be released on VHS for rental and on DVD Sept. 21st. Then, just nine weeks later, in the shortest repricing window in recent memory, Warner on Nov. 23rd will bring out a collector's edition VHS version of the title with 26 minutes of extra footage at a $14.95 minimum advertised price. The collector's edition will be available in both pan-and-scan and widescreen versions. The DVD, to sell for $24.98, will be housed on a DVD-ROM, enabling users to access additional information on the Internet, similar to DVD editions of New Line's Lost in Space and MGM's Ronin. By accessing the Internet through the disc, users can read the screenplay, view over 700 storyboards and view the scenes. A live Webcast with the picture's stars will be held 30 days after the DVD hits store shelves. Directors Andy and Larry Wachowski reportedly shot scenes for the DVD as production on picture progressed.

Dateline August 12, 1999:

The Replacements is now filming in the Baltimore area.

Dateline August 4, 1999:

New Official Dogstar website goes online!

Dateline July 29, 1999:

Ted got the scoop on "Big Daddy" Keanu!

Dateline July 28, 1999:

The Replacements in the news. Wanna be an extra?

Dateline July 24, 1999:

Keanu to be a real-life Big Daddy??
Ted Casablanca thinks so!

Dateline July 23, 1999:

The Replacements starts filming in Baltimore at the beginning of August, and Keanu is already shaping up.

Dateline July 2, 1999

Take a look at the preliminary poster for Driven.

Dateline: April 22, 1999:

Dogstar has some dates coming up. Do a search for Dogstar at Ticketmaster for updates.

May 18th Las Vegas Boulder Station Hotel & Casino 7:00 & 9:00 PM
May 19th Scottsdale, Arizona The Cajun House 8:00 PM
May 21st Kansas City, Kansas (venue & time???)
May 22nd St. Louis, MO (venue & time???)
May 25th Minneapolis, MN Quest Club 8:00 PM
May 26th Chicago Park West 7:30
May 27th Detroit, MI St. Andrews Hall 8:00 PM
May 28th Cincinnati, Ohio Bogarts 8:00 PM
May 29th Cleveland, Ohio Odeon 9:00 PM
June 1st New York, Irving Plaza 9:00 PM

Dateline April 17, 1999:

UPCOMING FILMS

Now that The Matrix is such a huge hit, everyone is lining up to get Keanu in their film. It now appears that Keanu will do the following three films:

DRIVEN

Keanu has agreed to a co-starring role in the independent thriller "Driven," the feature debut of video director Joe Charbanic. The film is slated for an early summer or late fall start. Written by Darcy Meyers and Clay Ayers, "Driven" is the story of a cunning serial killer (Reeves) who turns the tables on an investigative team hot on his trail. "I'm very excited about this project," Keanu said. "Joe is a very talented director, and I look forward to working with him." Presented by Interlight Pictures, "Driven" will be produced by Christopher Eberts, Elliot Lewitt and Jeff Rice. Interlight's Patrick Choi and Nile Niami will be executive producers. Charbanic's credits include videos for Dogstar (never released) as well as Sonic Youth and Soul Asylum.

THE REPLACEMENTS

Warner's laid out a hefty $12.5M salary and a large percentage of the gross to nab Keanu for its grid-iron flick "The Replacements." Keanu Reeves stars as the scab QB who leads the Washington Redskins during the 1987 NFL players' strike. Howard Deutch directs from Vince McKewin's script.

SHOOTER

In "Shooter," Reeves will play Bobby Lee Swaggart, a master sniper who exiled himself to the Arkansas hills after mistakenly causing the death of an innocent person. Finally lured out of his reclusive life to help prevent an assassination, he gets double-crossed, leaving him hunted for murder and trying to guess who sold him out and why.

The film is based on "Point of Impact," a novel by Stephen Hunter, film critic for the Washington Post.

Sources said Keanu’s asking for a career-best $15 million against a healthy back-end gross. Shooter will be produced by Mark Johnson, Barry Levinson and Erwin Stoff, who is Reeves’ manager at 3 Arts Entertainment.

"Shooter" is being targeted by Paramount for a start date late in the year, after Reeves finishes starring for director Howard Deutch in the Warner Bros. gridiron film "The Replacements."

Dateline April 16, 1999:

MATRIX

Looks like The Matrix is well on it's way to $150M domestic gross.

Dateline April 1999:

MATRIX

Matrix grossed a dazzling $4.8 million in North American theatres Wednesday, March 31st, the biggest pre-Easter opening ever. That's nearly double the previous record set by Indecent Proposal in 1993. By Thursday, April 1st, the film had racked up an astonishing $9.5 million two-day total. Looks like the opening weekend will be huge.

Check out these links:

what is the matrix

unofficial matrix site

Dark Horizons

matrix webring

Date Line April 1999:

KEANU'S NEXT FILM?

Keanu Reeves is in final negotiations with Warner Bros. to star in the pigskin comedy "The Replacements," about the group of substitute Washington Redskin players who suited up during the 1987 NFL strike. "The Replacements" is currently looking for a director.

Dateline February 1999:

KEANUFEST 1999

Keanufest is an annual event which is the quintessential experience for all Keanuphiles. It is the only formally organized gathering of Keanu fans in the U.S. In previous years, this event was held in a Cape Cod cottage for three days (1996), a Vermont Chateau for four days (1997), and a Cape May Victorian mansion for six days (1998). It has averaged 20 women from all over America and Canada, married and single, ages 25-72, and all shapes and sizes. One-third of our participants are repeats. This year, Keanufest will be held in Bethany Beach, Delaware the week of June 13th (Sun)- June 18th (Fri) 1999. Activities include group experiences (chats, games, contests), as well as time alone reading articles, viewing tapes and pictures, many previously unseen. Meals are communal with themes, such as our “Point Break” lunch of tuna on wheat, and our “Dracula” dinner with steak-on-a-stake. There will be special activities, like our phone interview two years ago with Keanu biographer Sheila Johnston, and last year’s “Bard on the Beach.” Take time to “smell the roses”... or more appropriately, “stomp the grapes.”

WHAT DO YOU DO? WHAT DO YOU DO?

WHEN: Guest will arrive anytime on Sunday, June 13th, and will depart anytime on Friday, June 18th. Activities will begin Sunday night at 6 pm and will continue until Wednesday night. Guests will have all day Thursday to pursue their own interests.

COST: $200.00 a person. This includes cost of lodging for five nights and 12 communal meals. In order to meet deadlines set by the realtor, guests are requested to mail in a $50.00 deposit with the balance due at scheduled intervals.

RESTRICTIONS: This event is limited to 15 guests and restricted to women 21 years old and over.

To download the official registration form or have one sent to you, please contact Cheryl at [email protected]. with your e-mail address or home address.

**************************

Dateline December 1998:

Latest news on Matrix is that it is due to be released on April 2, 1999. This would be a good thing... a little later and it would be crushed by the new Star Wars film, due in May.

Devil's Advocate is once again available on DVD... but it has been edited to remove the Ex Nihilo-esq sculpture, due to a lawsuit. Original copies of the DA DVD are now collector's items (and the "for rental only" VHS tapes as well).

Dateline September 7, 1998:

Keanu returned from Australia last week after finishing work on Matrix. We hear that for his final scenes, he was required to shave all his hair and eyebrows. That should be an interesting sight! Keanu is now touring with Dogstar. Get details and tour dates at:

http://www.dogstarfan.com
http://ticketmaster.com
http://www.pollstar.com

Dateline: April 25, 1998:

Matrix is shooting in Australia, and Keanu sightings are plentiful. If you would like to see some pictures from the set, go here. For other updates and news on Matrix, visit Dark Horizons. Other news is available at Cinescape.

January 1, 1998: Looks like Matrix will not begin shooting down under until March of '98. Seems like it will not be a summer '98 release. Updated info as we get it.

December 1997: Keanu's band Dogstar have been playing gigs around L.A. lately. Keanu must be beefing up for his role in Matrix. He looks like he's getting his Speed muscles back!

September 23, 1997: We just heard that Keanu went into the hospital recently for some minor back surgery. It was successful, and he is out. A couple of Dogstar gigs were cancelled as a result.

November 1997: So that was the official story. The operation was maybe a bit more than "minor." Word is Keanu actually required a fusion of two vertebrae in his neck, and has been in a neck brace ever since. He will be recuperating for awhile, but should start his next film, Matrix as scheduled.

Keanu's next film is not likely to be Last Harvest, as shooting has been delayed till Spring '98 (probably even later, now, due to Matrix being pushed back). It's about a family that grows marijuana as a cash crop. Keanu will play a drug dealer. Scheduling problems with Kevin Bacon (who originally was to play the lead role) have prevented his participation, so another actor is being sought to replace him. Check out the Film Section for more info as we get it.

Up next for Keanu should be Matrix, due to start filming in early 1998 in Australia (see Films Section).

Keanu is now playing some gigs with Dogstar in the United States, mostly in California. Check the Dogstar page for information, updated as we get it.

Dogstar makes it's feature film debut in Me & Will. They play themselves. More info when we get it.

Keanu had to interrupt the Dogstar Tour in early July for re-shoots for the film Devil's Advocate.

Due to the fact that Dogstar's recording label (Zoo Records) was bought out by another company, the release of their first full-length album, Our Little Visionary, was lost in the shuffle. And we hear that due to a difference in artistic vision with the new "Powers That Be" at Zoo, Dogstar has decided to withdraw from the company, so are now without a label. The boys will be selling the album on tour as well as on their website, so I would advise you to snap it up while you can!

In April, Keanu took a nice litle vacation in New Mexico, and took along his nice new shiny black Porsche. Those wide open spaces proved alluring, and Keanu really put the petal to the metal. Nearly 120 miles per hour, we hear! He got off with only a speeding ticket, but could very well have landed in jail for "criminal speed." When asked if he made a quip to the Officer about needing to keep above 50 mph or blow up, Keanu apparently said, "If I had said that, he would have shot me!" Keanu, I hope you were at least wearing your seatbelt (and maybe your motorcycle helmet too!).

It appears that The Last Time I Committed Suicide will be released in the United States in a limited release in June '97. It had it's premiere at the Sundance Festival in January '97, were it got mixed reviews. More interesting perhaps, is that the film debuted on Cinemax in April '97 as a Friday Premiere.

Recently rumors spread that Keanu was on the wagon and attending AA meetings while shooting Devil's Advocate in New York. It seems that part of that rumor is true. Whereas Keanu does not have a drinking problem, he decided not to drink during the shoot. This was to maintain that new svelt physique and clear eyed look that he feels is important to the character of a young lawyer that he plays.

Rumor, Rumor, who's got the rumor? Well, in '96 ago, virtually everyone was convinced that Keanu was Gay and was secretly married to David Geffen. So that's old news and the time is ripe for a new rumor, so why not go in the opposite direction? Okay. So now we have Keanu engaged (or maybe secretly married) to Amanda de Cadenet. This rumor has one thing going for it; they do at least know each other. However, Amanda just so happens to be already married to someone else. As for an engagement, the official word is: "We're just friends!" I'll believe it when I get an engraved invitation!

Keanu finished location filming in New York for Devil's Advocate, a suspense (non-action) thriller about a young lawyer who joins a prestigious New York law firm only to discover his boss is an increasingly sinister character. Devil's Advocate started shooting in New York October 28th and finished in mid-February 1997. Filming continued in Los Angeles, and wrapped in early April, with pickups contining through June. Keanu will reportedly make about $10 million for that picture. Keanu's co-star is Al Pacino. The role of Keanu's wife will be played by Charlize Theron (Two Days In The Valley).

Keanu arrived in New York early and was been seen around town, dining out and attending the theatre (He saw "A Delicate Balance" on Broadway one evening, and the movie "Michael" another night).

Dateline: October 9, 1996. Keanu flew down to Florida to spend some time in a courtroom to research his part as a lawyer in Devil's Advocate. The thriller is being shot mostly in New York, but there is a possibility of some scenes being shot in Florida. And for those interested, Keanu was dressed neatly in a suit and tie.

Okay, so we all know Keanu declined $11 million to appear in Speed II. Officially the reason was so Keanu could tour with Dogstar, but Keanu has made it clear that that wasn't the reason at all. He has stated that he is ambivalent about sequels, and prefers not to repeat himself. And word on the street is that the Speed II script left much to be desired.

Dogstar finished its European/Far East Tour early last fall. Reviews from the critics were mixed, but fans were busting down the doors to get in to the mostly sold-out concerts. The band's enhanced CD, Quattro Formaggi came out on schedule July 16th. Pop it into your CD player for its four songs, or into your CD-ROM player for lots of cool videos and entertainment. The group's first full-length CD, Our Little Visionary has been delayed until May 1997 in the US, when Dogstar will embark on a tour, but has been released in other parts of the world.

On the video front, both Chain Reaction and Feeling Minnesota are now available (priced for rental only). 20th Century Fox recently released Speed in widescreen format on VHS in the US. Included on the tape is the original theatrical trailer and a behind-the-scenes featurette. SRP is $19.98. This version is already available in the UK. It seems that A Walk in the Clouds will also get a widescreen video release. In the meantime, it has been released at a more popular price of just $14.95.

It seems Dogstar is getting sneaky! Last summer they played in a club in L.A. called the Dragonfly under an assumed name, appropriately enough "Sixpack." Friends of the band were invited to the gig, and Keanu had a stool handy (his leg was still in a cast) to lean on. Alex Winter showed up to see Keanu. Reports say that Keanu was in great spirits!

Keanu was injured while riding his motorcycle in Los Angeles on Monday, May 27th, 1996 at approximately 9pm. Keanu was heading west on Sunset through the Silverlake area when a car suddenly pulled out from the curb in front of him. Keanu swerved to avoid the collision and slammed into another car, did a couple of airborne somersaults, and landed in the street while other cars tried to avoid the accident.

Keanu apparently then stood up, realized his ankle was broken and went back down. When the police arrived, they said he was was alert, in pain, but smiling (although recent reports say he was understandably in shock). He was taken to a hospital which is about two blocks from where the accident happened.

At the hospital, Keanu was found to have a broken right ankle with bone fragments, multiple contusions and abrasions and some chipped teeth. He had to have surgery to remove the fragments before they could migrate and cause other problems. The bone was set and he remained in the hospital for two days. He was released from the hospital - in a cast and on crutches - on Wednesday, May 29th. Later that day, he was in the recording studio working on his album with his band, Dogstar!

Keanu has NOT appeared in the film "Voyeur" as previously reported. The deal fell through. No word as to whether the film is now being made at all.

On the other hand, it's been confirmed that Keanu has filmed a part in the 40's period piece The Last Time I Committed Suicide. This low-budget ($2 million) feature is due for a possible late '96 release, although this is unconfirmed. Thomas Jane will be the star of the movie, which focuses on a letter that beatnik Neal Cassady wrote to Jack Kerouac. It was their friendship that spawned Kerouac's "On the Road." Keanu, apparently, plays a car thief. First-time writer and director Stephen Kay wrote the screenplay in consultation with Cassady's widow, Carolyn. Christopher Lloyd also appears in the film.

Keanu was again nominated for 1996 MTV Movie Awards. They were "Most Desirable Male," (his competition was Antonio Banderas, Mel Gibson, Val Kilmer, and Brad Pitt), and "Best Kiss." The awards ceremony aired in June.

Dogstar fans caught the act at the Troubadour in West Hollywood on May 5, 1996. We hear that their playing was much improved over last summer's tour. Keanu's mom also attended. And BTW, Ticketmaster has a website that you can check for Dogstar updates: http://www.ticketmaster.com

There is also a report that Dogstar went into an LA recording studio on May 5th to work on their album with producer Ed Stasium (Ramones, Talking Heads, etc.).

Zoo Entertainment, Dogstar's record label, had announced a release date of September 17th for Dogstar's first album (Our Little Visionary), but that has now been delayed.

Now here's something cool. Keanu Reeves TV schedule this month, compiled by TVnow.

Keanu began work on Chain Reaction (formerly Dead Drop), an action/thriller, January 8, 1996. Principal photography was completed on April 19th. Morgan Freeman also stars, along with Rachel Weisz and Fred Ward. We hear that Tommy Lee Jones was offered a part, but had to turn it down due to other committments. This big budget feature was released by 20th Century Fox on August 2, 1996.

Kudos for A Walk in the Clouds. Roger Ebert put the film on his 1995 Top Ten list, and the Original Score won a Golden Globe Award. Way to go!

Now if for some reason you missed A Walk in the Clouds, fret not. It is available on home video in the US. (Priced for rental only, unfortunately!) If you liked the film in the theatres, I think you'll enjoy it even more on home video. The transfer to videotape is beautiful, and of course you have the option of replaying your favorite scenes. The laser disc version is out at the more reasonable price of $39.95. Johnny Mnemonic has been re-released to home video at the sell-through price of $19.95. For those looking for a copy of Keanu's early movie Flying, it's been released in the US under the title Dream To Believe. What you may not know, however, is that the very same film is also available in the US under the title Teenage Dream.