Recently, Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock reunited to celebrate the 30th anniversary of “Speed” at the Beyond Fest in Los Angeles, hosted by the American Cinematheque. Director Jan de Bont also joined them on stage to share insights about the making of this iconic film.

In “Speed,” Reeves portrays Los Angeles detective Jack Traven, while Bullock plays passenger Annie Porter. The movie’s intense premise involves a bus rigged with a bomb that detonates if its speed drops below 50 mph. De Bont revealed that a total of 11 buses were used for the production, to which Reeves humorously added that they were equipped with too many cameras.

Earlier this year, the duo also reminisced about their breakout film during a podcast episode of “50 MPH,” stating they would not rule out the possibility of reuniting for “Speed 3.”

“Speed,” released in 1994 with a modest budget of only $30 million, went on to gross over $121 million worldwide. Audiences were captivated not only by the thrilling action scenes but also by the undeniable chemistry between Reeves and Bullock.

The sequel, “Speed 2: Cruise Control,” was released in 1997, shifting the action from a bus to a cruise ship. Both Bullock and director de Bont returned for the sequel, but Reeves declined to reprise his role, a decision that almost derailed his career.

Following “Speed,” Reeves reached the pinnacle of his career but found that his subsequent projects did not live up to expectations. He needed a major hit to regain that success, and “Speed 2” seemed like an excellent opportunity. In this sequel, Jack (Reeves) and Annie (Bullock) are now a couple vacationing on a cruise ship, only to encounter a madman who attempts to hijack the ship’s control system.

Initially, Bullock turned down the offer to return for the sequel but eventually agreed to participate for funding reasons related to another film. Meanwhile, Reeves opted to work with Al Pacino and Charlize Theron in “The Devil’s Advocate,” which helped him reclaim his status as a leading man. However, his refusal to star in “Speed 2” was primarily due to his dissatisfaction with the script.

Years later, Reeves revealed that his decision not to participate led to a decade-long absence from projects with Twentieth Century Fox, with their collaboration only resuming in 2008 with “The Day the Earth Stood Still.”