Hollywood star Ana de Armas has offered a heartfelt glimpse into her enduring friendship with fellow actor Keanu Reeves, tracing their bond from a challenging start to a supportive reunion a decade later. The actress shared these personal reflections during a recent appearance at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia.
A Friendship Forged in 'Knock Knock'
Speaking during the 'In Conversation' segment at the festival, de Armas recalled meeting Reeves for the first time on the set of the 2015 thriller 'Knock Knock'. At the time, she was a newcomer to Los Angeles. "When I first moved to L.A., we did 'Knock Knock' together, and at that time I barely spoke English," she revealed, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
She described the experience as a "frustrating journey" due to the language barrier, which made full communication difficult. Despite this challenge, the two actors managed to connect. "We still had a great time. We bonded really well, and we have a beautiful friendship," the 'Blade Runner 2049' star fondly remembered.
Coming Full Circle with 'Ballerina'
That early connection has stood the test of time. De Armas recently reunited with Reeves for the upcoming spin-off 'From the World of John Wick: Ballerina'. She expressed deep gratitude for his presence on set, noting how meaningful it felt to have his support ten years after their initial collaboration.
"Having him there, supporting me ten years later, meant a lot," she said. De Armas also praised Reeves, calling him "kind and generous," and described the experience of working with him again as feeling very "full circle." This reunion marks a significant moment in a friendship that has transcended their professional collaborations in the 'John Wick' franchise universe.
Ana de Armas' Unexpected Action Heroine Journey
Beyond discussing her friendship with Reeves, the 37-year-old actress also reflected on her surprising evolution into an action star. She confessed that early in her career, she never imagined herself performing the demanding stunts required for such roles.
De Armas traced her performing roots back to a "very happy, free, and social" childhood in Cuba. "We would perform for our neighbors, do dances, and I was even in a Spice Girls group. I always knew I wanted to be an actress. There was no Plan B," she shared.
Her path to the action genre was built step by step through major projects. She credited films like 'No Time to Die', 'The Gray Man', and 'Ghosted' with helping her build the skills and confidence needed. However, she singled out her role in 'Ballerina' as the most demanding yet.
"It was another level - very challenging, very demanding," de Armas stated about the film. "But it was also an exciting character to play, and I really loved expanding that universe." Her journey from a dance-loving child to a central figure in one of Hollywood's biggest action franchises highlights a career built on passion and relentless hard work.
