A Witness to Keanussance | Interview with Keanu Reeves, Christina Hendricks, and Tim Allen

Yes, I was a witness to the Keanussance question asked to Keanu Reeves in the Toy Story 4 Press Conference. I was front row, in fact, sitting feet away from Keanu Reeves himself.  I saw his face, watched as he tried to be polite, and he was chuckling wondering if that was a compliment. And I could not stop laughing. Here’s what it was like to be in the same room to witness Keanussance, plus some of the best moments from our interview with Keanu Reeves, Christina Hendricks, and Tim Allen.

What is Keanussance?

When we found out we were going to be interviewing Tim Allen, Christina Hendricks, Keanu Reeves, and Director Josh Cooley and Producers Mark Nielsen and Jonas Rivera, we got our game plan on. Sometimes you have to change the plan in a press conference, because sometimes your question may have been asked or one of the talent is getting asked too many questions. But nobody was stopping Amanda.

We knew Geekly Amanda was going to ask this question before the press conference started. And maybe some of us tried to discourage it a bit (ok that was me). It wasn’t so much the question, it was how was Amanda going to pronounce Keanussance. 

Keanussance is derived from combining the words Keanu and Renaissance. It signifies a rebirth in a sense. We know that Keanu Reeves hasn’t gone anywhere, but it just seems like he has a million projects going on at once right now with Always Be My Maybe, Toy Story 4, John Wick, Bill & Ted 3, etc. He’s everywhere. 

The Keanussance Question

So I hear it.

AMANDA: “I’m Amanda from Crazy Amanda Reacts.”

I then look over at Josh Cooley, Jonas Rivera, and Mark Nielsen laughing.  This is already off to a great start.

AMANDA: “Keanu, we were talking about the movies you were in this year. John Wick and Always Be My Maybe and now this.  And you’re having somewhat of a Keanussance like revival.Keanussance, Renaissance. [Note, the word was not said on the first try. The transcript was generous, and we’re all laughing at this point watching Keanu’s face.] So I just wondered how you felt about that revival.”

KEANU REEVES: “A revival. [Pauses, smiles, gives a little glance to Tim Allen, meanwhile Tim Allen is chuckling.] Well I’m glad to be here. And I’m glad to be having a revival. And thank you.” 

This was gold. Keanu Reeves really is a great guy and can roll with the punches. You can tell he doesn’t take himself too seriously. Though the term Keanussance may have been started years ago, it was Amanda who brought it back into style. Check out a short clip of the Keanussance video interaction I shared on Twitter below.

 

When @geeklyamanda asks Keanu Reeves about his Keanu-sance, basically a revival 😂😂#ToyStory4#KeanuReeves pic.twitter.com/eCWH7uCi5w

— Tania Lamb (@LolaLambchops) June 8, 2019

Keanu Reeves Really Is The Nicest Guy in Hollywood

You’ve heard all the stories, you’ve read all the articles that Keanu Reeves is the nicest guy in Hollywood. And you want it to be true. I certainly don’t know Keanu Reeves personally, but just from the way he interacted with his costars, he really does seem like the nicest guy in Hollywood. In fact, everyone was so kind, generous with each other, and humble. 

When the moderator asked Keanu and Christina how it felt to be in the Toy Story family, they both graciously pointed at each other. 

KEANU REEVES: “I was really excited. I knew I wasn’t going to be able to work with Tim and with Tom. But I knew that in working with Pixar and being with these characters and these performers, that I was getting a chance to be a part of something that’s legendary. Pixar gave me a great character with Duke Caboom. And it was really fun to be a part of this story.”

Then Tim interjected with a joke 🙂 

TIM ALLEN: “It’s good that we wrote Tom out. He’s out. It’s a big surprise, but thank goodness Woody is finally out of the movie, huh, everybody?” 

KEANU REEVES: “Tim, he’s still in the movie.” 

TIM ALLEN: “Right. That’s embarrassing. I didn’t see the final cut.”

Then more banter continues between them and Jonas Rivera. Keanu Reeves then brings it back to Christina Hendricks and asks her how she got here. He’s a team player and gracious. You could tell he wanted everyone to get equal talking time.

CHRISTINA HENDRICKS: “[Gabby Gabby] is so lovely. I like that. I think when children see this movie, she comes across as sort of like the villain at first, and then you realize that she’s coming from a very loving place. That’s important to say that maybe you don’t like someone at first, but how did they get there and why are they there and understanding their story.”

Christina Hendricks is about the loveliest person you’ll ever meet. To learn more about Christina’s interview, check out Amiyrah’s post from 4 Hats and Frugal.

You can also watch the video of Keanu, Christina, and Tim talking about their characters Duke Caboom, Gabby Gabby, and Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story 4.

That Burning Question About Buzz Lightyear

Tim Allen talked so lovingly about voicing Buzz Lightyear. He’s been him for 25 years.

TIM ALLEN: “Doing voiceovers is all about the director. And they bring it out. If you try it this way, boy do they honor the process. When these guys let you just go and then find who Buzz is. I’ve gotten to a point where (I can’t believe I’m saying this), I’ll go ‘Buzz wouldn’t say that.’ Buzz doesn’t get that excited and he won’t say that.”

Josh Cooley says he’s earned that right.

But you know that burning question everyone’s been dying to know about Buzz Lightyear? Tim Allen answered it.

What kind of haircut does Buzz have?

TIM ALLEN: “He’s got a man bun under all that.”

I KNEW IT!!

For more information from this Toy Story interview, check out Tessa’s post!

Now I want to know, who is your favorite new Toy Story 4 character?

Toy Story 4 is in theaters June 21st!! Seriously, you don’t want to miss it!

If podcasts are more your thing, then check out the Keanussance story with Patty and Amanda! Hilarious!!