Keanu Reeves’ off-screen philanthropy is nothing short of legendary; friends, colleagues, and acquaintances also confirm his overwhelmingly warm personality. Jim Carrey said working with Reeves was a privilege in Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

Jim Carrey said he never had a chance to meet Keanu Reeves while filming for Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Carrey appeared onscreen as two generations of live-action Doctor Eggmans while Reeves did voiceover work for Shadow, a fan-favorite character in the franchise. “We didn’t work in the same space you know,” Carrey told Access Hollywood. “He was doing the voiceover work and stuff, but when I heard it I was like, ‘That is so in the pocket and perfect,’ I mean this beautiful stoic nature that he has, he really elevated it completely to from what I was even thinking it could be so I was super happy that he’s involved. Because he’s the man that every man aspires to be.“

Carrey and Reeves co-starred in only one film before Sonic the Hedgehog 3; both delivered career-best performances in 2017’s The Bad Batch, they were almost unrecognizable underneath their characters in that movie. Carrey said Sonic the Hedgehog 3 would go down as another highlight in Reeves’ career. “He’s very cool and I think you know it’s just another cool move in a lifetime of cool moves for him,” he added. Reeves’ reputation as a down-to-earth, humble person is an open secret to fans and industry colleagues. Co-stars Ian McShane and Halle Berry said Reeves was so selfless offscreen while filming John Wick; actors Chris Evans, Michael B. Jordan, Sandra Bullock, and Lori Loughlin shared similar experiences.

‘It Speaks To His Beautiful Heart’

As expected, Reeves accepted Carrey’s praise graciously. “He’s very kind, and he’s very generous, and it speaks to his beautiful heart,” Reeves responded. “The man is a creative genius. And in [Sonic the Hedgehog 3] he’s even more genius. He’s double genius.” He added the film is also his first opportunity to really mingle with Carrey. “I met him socially in passing once, six or seven years ago, but then really just hanging out at the London premiere of Sonic 3.” This wouldn’t be the last time they’re attending a premiere for the same movie, now that Sonic 4 has been confirmed; the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise is in full swing after the overwhelming reception for Sonic 3.

Co-star Ben Schwartz said Reeves fleshed out one of the most beloved characters in the Sonic games. “We have Keanu playing I think one of the most fan-favorite characters in the whole franchise,” he asserted. “The first film for any of the voice actors is the hardest, you have to establish the voice, and Keanu is coming into a character that people love, so there’s a lot of pressure on him, and he delivered in such a real way… He did such an incredible job. He’s the ultimate life form, Shadow… I think Shadow brings out the most in Sonic, Sonic’s never had to be so strong or relying on friends more than when Shadow’s there.”

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is now playing in theaters.

Source: Access Hollywood via YouTube