‘Sad’ Keanu Reeves Memes Aren’t Accurate, Says John Wick Director: He’s an ‘Incredibly Positive Guy’ (Exclusive)

John Wick director Chad Stahelski is setting the record straight. 

While speaking with PEOPLE in honor of the 10th anniversary of the first John Wick movie, in which Reeves plays the titular character, Stahelski recalls his experience working with the actor over the years. 

“You see him in John Wick and he seems very stoic and very serious,” he says. “When the camera cuts, he is very professional. It is always, ‘Okay, how is that? What can we do to make it better?’ ”

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But, once they “land on the take,” Stahelski says the actor’s entire mood shifts. 

“The John Wick vibe goes in a second,” he explains. “When you nail something, he’s the first guy to smile, laugh and just really show joy. It is such a contradiction to John Wick, who’s very ‘grr,’ and then you see Keanu and his smile will light up the room.”

Stahelski, who also worked with Reeves as his stunt double in the 1999 movie The Matrix, continues to say the actor has “a lot of love going on,” and he believes there are misconceptions about the movie star — particularly when it comes to the “Sad Keanu” meme that went viral in 2010. 

“What are the memes out there? ‘Sad Keanu’ and lonely. … He’s actually a very happy, enthusiastic, incredibly positive guy,” the director says. 

In that throwback viral photo, Reeves is seen looking somber as he sits on a bench by himself while holding a piece of food in his hand.

The John Wick star revealed the real story behind the meme on The Late Show after host Stephen Colbert showed the popular image to the audience.

“I’m just eating a sandwich, man!” Reeves said to Colbert, who then asked him, “So you’re not actually sad in ‘Sad Keanu’?”

“I was thinking,” he replied. “I had some stuff going on. I was hungry.”

Stahelski also mentions that their popular media franchise could not exist without Reeves’ contributions. “Could you have done John Wick without Keanu? No, not the way you see it,” he says.

“The stoicism that John Wick shows is really a big part of who Keanu is. You gotta see Keanu on set. I know everyone hears the stories, but he is always there early. He is always the first one there [and] the last one to leave.”

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To date, the John Wick franchise has a total of four action-packed movies, as well as the spin-off prequel series The Continental, plus several video game adaptations and comic books. Stahelski and Reeves are also producing the spin-off movie called Ballerina.

Lionsgate is hosting special anniversary screenings of the 2014 movie with Fathom Events on Nov. 3 and 6. Those wanting to catch John Wick on the big screen can check their local theaters for showtimes.