Heart-throb Keanu Reeves took a break from preparing for his new role in The Matrix Reloaded in Australia to attend the LA premiere of his latest film, Hardball, last week. The 37-year-old actor arrived at the event accompanied by on-again off-again girlfriend and former wild child Amanda de Cadenet, ex-wife of Duran Duran bassist John Taylor.
Hardball led the North American box office this weekend, taking in $10 million - surprisingly strong numbers given last Tuesday's terror attacks, which kept many in their homes watching 24-hour news coverage of the tragedy.
In the film Keanu plays a chronic gambler who is offered an opportunity to wipe away his debts if he will take a job coaching a baseball team of underprivileged Chicago youths.
The sports melodrama was filmed in part at public housing complex known for gang activity. “One night we had to shut down production and go home because we heard shots being fired just 50 yards away from our set," says Keanu. "It became evident to all of us that what we were doing was important. Hardball is a movie about second chances and hope, and not surrendering to adversity.”
The movie premiere benefitted the Hank Aaron Chasing The Dream Foundation, a programme to help at-risk children between 9 and 12 years old.
The film, which also stars The Perfect Storm’s Diane Lane, opened in theatres across the US and Canada on Friday.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
