The Brief: Keanu Reeves' slayed the meme game when he surprised everyone by taking the stage at the 2019 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3).
DEEP DIVE
Keanu Reeves has struck meme gold yet again, this time be reminding gamers just how “breathtaking” they are.
Microsoft’s annual Electronic Entertainment Expo, or E3, kicks off this week in Los Angeles. E3 is the the world’s premier event for computer and video games and related products. Keanu shocked expo-goers by making a surprise appearance on stage at the expo to promote CP Projekt Red’s upcoming game, Cyberpunk 2077. As if the success of his John Wick franchise or recent cameo in Netflix’s Always be my Maybe wasn’t enough, Keanu will also play a “key character” in the game.
Not only did his cameo at the expo delight stans near and far, but it also inspired a series of hilarious memes.
“Check This Out” Memes
During his time on stage at E3, Keanu excitedly gestured to some graphics on screen. Meme makers on Reddit wasted no time in reinterpreting this image macro.
Grandma Plz from dankmemes
Seeing as Cyberpunk 2077 is out April 16, 2020, for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, this Dank Memes creator pointed out the obvious connection to 4/20.
And of course, there had to be at least one Anti-Anti-Vaxxer meme.
“You’re breathtaking” Memes
Perhaps the most memorable moment from Keanu’s appearance was when someone from the audience yelled out to him that he is “breathtaking.” No surprise there – Keanu is absolutely breathtaking, okuurr? Keanu yelled back that they, in fact, are breathtaking and then elaborated that everyone is breathtaking.
People were quick to meme-ify the moment. Several versions use Keanu’s words, “You’re breathtaking” as a response, while other iterations of the now viral meme simply focus on Keanu’s physical gestures.
The memes have spread quickly from Reddit to Twitter.
It is actually fantastic that the only thing people remember from the Microsoft Conference is Keanu Reeves. #E32019 pic.twitter.com/PyZAoth3F2
— Danny (@DannyF16) June 10, 2019
Cyberpunk 2077 Memes
Other popular Keanu meme formats stemming from the event incorporate still images of Keanu’s character from the Cyberpunk 2077 trailer.
Daddy wick from dankmemes
Several versions feature Keanu’s game character uttering the line, “We have a city to burn.”
R.I.P. Pompeii from dankmemes
In this meme, Keanu’s character is very anti-Furry.
Get em Keanu from dankmemes
John Wick 4? from dankmemes
People have also compiled various images of Keanu throughout the years, along with a still from Cyberpunk 2077, to show just how well he’s aged.
#KeanuReeves really is a timeless classic 😂 pic.twitter.com/bvAT3GDVQE
— Dhayana (@MissDeusGeek) June 10, 2019
Keanu Reeves is like a fine wine 🍷 and is definitely a vampire! #KeanuReeves pic.twitter.com/xMsWXot9DY
— Blake (@BigBadBlakey) June 10, 2019
The Internet has Voted
Overall, it looks like a consensus has been made. Judging by the internet’s response to the recent surge of Keanu Reeves’ memes, Keanu is here to stay and gamers are more than ready for Cyberpunk 2077.
keanu has become the ultimate marketing tool. every misstep, every transgression overshadowed by a single application of keanu. we're five years short of an all keanu e3, with each publisher rapidly accumulating clones in a horrific and unwinnable keanu arms race
— moth dad ➡️ gone hiking (@innesmck) June 9, 2019
We thought the Goldblum era would last beyond 2018……… but alas, we have now found ourselves willingly entering the Keanu Reeves dynasty.
— Left At London (@LeftAtLondon) June 10, 2019
Even non-gamers have hopped aboard the Keanu Reeves meme train, as evidenced by this How to Train Your Dragon meme:
what companies think gamers want: video games
what gamers actually want: keanu reeves telling you that you are loved— Jenny Y㋐ng (@jennyyangat) June 9, 2019
2019: The Year of Keanu.
2019 belongs to keanu. it’s his now. end of discussion. pic.twitter.com/hxTwDHdaPa
— 𝒍𝒊𝒂 𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒐𝒛𝒂 (@GLOSSPHOENIX) June 9, 2019