When I hear “15 year anniversary”, it takes me a while to realize that means 2005. This discussion between Contstantine star Keanu Reeves, director Francis Lawrence and producer Akiva Goldsman. What struck me as I watched this panel were references to thing I felt like were still pretty recent – Francis Lawrence’s direction of Lady Gaga music videos and the renaissance of the comic book movie genre, Christian Bale’s Batman Begins. The realization that these were events that happened 15 years ago was honestly pretty stunning when you consider how much has happened in the comic book movie genre since.
I will admit the only pull to watch this panel was just to be in Keanu Reeve’s virtual presence. I took not-so-secret delight in his reactions and silly interactions with Lawrence and Goldsman. I applaud Collider’s Steven Weintraub’s adept moderating, asking great questions and drawing insightful commentary from the panelists. I think panel moderator is one of the toughest visible jobs at a convention. After attending many panels over the last 15 years, I’ve learned a good moderator can make or break a panel, no matter who is on the dais, and the best received ones are those with a moderator who knows the subject matter intimately and not only asks the questions fans want asked, but manages to get the panelists to reveal insight fans didn’t know they wanted like what was Reeve’s wrap gift to Lawrence.
I especially loved how animated Reeves became just describing his experience and his favorite scenes to film. When you’re accustomed to watching Reeves in movies where he says and emotes very little, this was a surprisingly fun panel to watch.
Watch the full panel.
