Many of us avoid thinking about death, but not Keanu Reeves. "I'm 59, so I'm thinking about death all the time," the Hollywood megastar has revealed to BBC News. That's a good thing, he adds.
"Hopefully it's not crippling, but hopefully it's sensitised [us] to an appreciation of the breath we have, and the relationships that we have the potential to have." The reason we're sat with The Matrix star, ruminating on life and mortality, is not because he has another blockbuster to promote. This time, it's a new book - Reeves' first novel.
The Book of Elsewhere, written in collaboration with British science fiction author China Miéville, follows an immortal warrior, who wants to be able to die. We meet Reeves and Miéville in a lowly lit hotel bar in central London. The Canadian actor, who is based in Hollywood, makes time to see us in between gigs with his Dogstar band.
The night before, the band played in Manchester. Reeves looks a bit tired as we begin the 30 minute interview. But his passion for his novel also comes through strongly.
The Book of Elsewhere is based on the hugely successful BRZRKR comic book series created by Reeves. Released in 2021, BRZRKR - pronounced "berserker" for the uninitiated - is also due to be adapted into a live-action Netflix film starring Reeves, as well as an anime series. For Reeves, comic books have a special appeal.
"I love the images," he said. "I love words and storytelling and I love the way that you can have this engagement that overlays.