Matt Smith expressed genuine disbelief and humor after discovering that Keanu Reeves had chosen to watch the 2022 superhero film Morbius during a flight. The House of the Dragon star, who played the villain Milo in the critically panned movie, shared his reaction during an appearance on Brittany Broski&8217;s Royal Court podcast on July 1.

When informed of Reeves&8217;s in-flight viewing choice, Smith replied with a surprised expletive, followed by, &8220;You are joking.&8221; Broski, known for her comedic internet persona, teased that Reeves &8220;loves&8221; Smith, but the actor remained incredulous. Smith quickly clarified his deep admiration for the John Wick and The Matrix star, describing him as &8220;what a movie star&8221; and &8220;an angel.&8221;

Smith pondered why Reeves would select a Razzie-winning film from the limited British Airways entertainment library. &8220;He must have really gone through the BA library to be getting to that,&8221; Smith joked. When Broski suggested Reeves may have been drinking, Smith played along, imagining the actor &8220;on the Valium or something.&8221; However, he immediately emphasized his comments came from a place of respect: &8220;What a legend. I love Keanu Reeves. I just want to make that really clear.&8221;

The Unlikely Bond Between Two Stars

The exchange highlights a surprising connection between two actors from different generations and genres. Matt Smith, 43, rose to fame as the Eleventh Doctor on Doctor Who (2010&8211;2013) and later earned acclaim for portraying Prince Philip in The Crown and Daemon Targaryen in HBO&8217;s House of the Dragon. Keanu Reeves, 61, is an enduring Hollywood icon known for action blockbusters and a reputation as one of the industry&8217;s kindest individuals.

Morbius, released in 2022, stars Jared Leto as Dr. Michael Morbius, a scientist who turns into a living vampire. Smith played Milo, Morbius&8217;s wealthy childhood friend who embraces vampirism. The film received overwhelmingly negative reviews and earned several Razzie Awards, including Worst Picture and Worst Actor for Leto. Its poor reception has made it a frequent subject of internet memes and jokes.

Smith&8217;s reaction underscores the film&8217;s notorious status. He described his own in-flight habits as &8220;boring,&8221; preferring to watch comfort shows like The Office or British comedian Steve Coogan&8217;s character Alan Partridge. &8220;I&8217;m one of those guys that likes to fall asleep to something,&8221; he admitted, adding that Alan Partridge is &8220;the greatest single British character that&8217;s been created in the last 30 years.&8221;

Background on Morbius and Its Cultural Impact

Part of Sony&8217;s Spider-Man Universe, Morbius was intended to launch a new franchise but quickly became a punchline. Critics panned its script, pacing, and visual effects, while audiences noted its tone-deaf attempts at seriousness. The film&8217;s box office performance was modest, grossing $167 million worldwide against a $75 million budget, a disappointment for a superhero property. Its internet notoriety grew when fans ironically celebrated &8220;Morbius season&8221; and Sony re-released the film in theaters, resulting in even lower attendance.

Keanu Reeves&8217;s choice to watch Morbius on a flight may seem baffling, but it aligns with his known eclectic tastes. Reeves has often selected unusual or low-budget films in interviews about his viewing habits. His public persona as a humble, down-to-earth figure makes the anecdote endearing rather than critical.

Smith&8217;s humor about the situation reflects his own career trajectory. After Doctor Who, he intentionally avoided typecasting by choosing diverse roles &8212; from the arrogant Milo to the morally ambiguous Daemon Targaryen. Working on Morbius allowed him to explore a comic book villain, a genre he hadn&8217;t previously tackled. Despite the film&8217;s failure, Smith has spoken positively about the experience, praising director Daniel Espinosa and co-star Jared Leto.

Expanded Context: Matt Smith&8217;s Career Highlights

Born in Northampton, England, Smith originally pursued a career as a professional footballer until a spinal condition forced him to change paths. He studied drama at the University of East Anglia and made his professional acting debut in the National Theatre&8217;s production of Swimming with Sharks. His breakthrough came in 2010 when he replaced David Tennant as the Doctor in the BBC&8217;s long-running sci-fi series Doctor Who. His portrayal was praised for capturing both the alien eccentricity and emotional depth of the character.

After leaving Doctor Who in 2013, Smith transitioned to film and television. He played the young Prince Philip in the first two seasons of Netflix&8217;s The Crown, earning critical acclaim and a Primetime Emmy nomination. His performance brought a human complexity to the often-stoic royal figure. In 2021, he joined the cast of Last Night in Soho, directed by Edgar Wright, showcasing his range in a psychological thriller.

His role as Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon cemented his status as a leading man in prestige television. The character, a violent and unpredictable prince, allowed Smith to display charisma, menace, and vulnerability. The series premiered in June 2024 and has been renewed for a second season, with Smith receiving widespread acclaim.

Keanu Reeves: A Beloved Hollywood Icon

Keanu Reeves has maintained an remarkably positive public image over four decades. Born in Beirut and raised in Toronto, he broke out in the 1989 comedy Bill & Ted&8217;s Excellent Adventure and later became a global action star with Speed (1994), The Matrix trilogy (1999&8211;2003), and John Wick series (2014&8211;present). Off-screen, he is known for his philanthropy, humility, and stoic demeanor. Viral stories about his kindness &8212; such as giving up his seat on the subway or donating millions to cancer charities &8212; have made him a beloved figure.

Despite his fame, Reeves has remained private about his personal life. He has spoken about the tragedy of losing his daughter, ex-girlfriend, and close friend River Phoenix. Fans often view him as a symbol of resilience and quiet strength. His taste in films, including watching Morbius, is seen as an extension of his authenticity; he simply enjoys what he enjoys.

The anecdote about Reeves watching Morbius first surfaced in a 2022 interview where a flight attendant mentioned the actor had the movie on his screen. The story went viral, spawning memes about &8220;Keanu Reeves being the only person to watch Morbius willingly.&8221; Smith&8217;s reaction adds a new layer, bringing together two fandoms. The interaction on Royal Court highlights how even the most critically derided projects can create unexpected connections.

Smith&8217;s Reflection on Fame and Fandom

During the podcast, Smith also discussed his own approach to celebrity. He described feeling &8220;overwhelmed&8221; by the attention House of the Dragon receives but grateful for the opportunities. When asked about meeting fans, he said he tries to remain humble. &8220;It&8217;s weird when people recognize you, but you have to remember it&8217;s a reflection of their enjoyment of your work, not you personally,&8221; he noted.

His remarks about Keanu Reeves revealed a fanboy side. Smith admitted that he grew up watching Reeves movies like Point Break and The Matrix. The idea that his childhood idol now watched his film, even a critically mocked one, was symbolic. &8220;I genuinely think that that period of movies, that sort of &8217;90s period of films, I just love. From Point Break onwards. I just think he&8217;s the best,&8221; Smith said.

The interview also touched on Smith&8217;s travel habits. He confessed to being &8220;really boring on flights&8221; and often watches reruns of The Office (the American version) to relax. He also praised Alan Partridge, a character played by Steve Coogan known for his cringe comedy. Smith said he believes Partridge is &8220;the greatest single British character&8221; created in three decades and urged listeners to watch the series.

Smith&8217;s endorsement of Alan Partridge aligns with his own comedic timing. In his roles, he often balances drama with dry humor. His turn as Milo in Morbius required a certain levity, even amid the vampire chaos. That ability to laugh at himself, as demonstrated in the Royal Court interview, has endeared him to fans.

Industry Reactions and Media Coverage

Following the podcast clip going viral, many media outlets covered the exchange, emphasizing Smith&8217;s playful shock. Social media users shared the moment, with some joking that &8220;Reeves single-handedly giving Morbius its highest view count.&8221; Others praised Smith for his grace in handling a potentially awkward topic. The story underscores how even negative projects can produce positive interactions.

The Royal Court podcast, hosted by Brittany Broski, is known for its laid-back, conversational style. Broski gained fame through TikTok and has interviewed numerous celebrities, often bringing out their unguarded sides. The interview with Smith was part of her season two lineup. Broski&8217;s own comedic timing enhanced the exchange, leading to a memorable moment.

Neither Smith nor Reeves has commented further on the incident. However, the anecdote adds to Reeves&8217;s mythology, further humanizing a star who rarely gives controversial interviews. For Smith, it provides a lighthearted counterpoint to his intense role on House of the Dragon.

As for Morbius, the film&8217;s legacy continues to evolve. Despite its critical failure, it has found a second life as a cult curiosity. Smith&8217;s reaction shows an actor willing to embrace the absurdity of Hollywood, where even the worst movies can create cherished stories. The intersection of two beloved actors over such a universally panned film is a testament to the unpredictable nature of celebrity culture.

In the end, the image of Keanu Reeves sitting on an airplane, headphones on, watching Matt Smith vamp it up in a poorly reviewed superhero movie, is a strangely heartwarming one. And Smith&8217;s response, a mix of disbelief and admiration, captures exactly why audiences continue to root for both men.

Source:MSN News