6 Years Ago, Keanu Reeves Starred in an Epic Superhero Movie and No One Noticed!

Todd Phillips’ 2019 film “Joker” captivated audiences with its dark direction and Joaquin Phoenix’s compelling performance. However, were you aware that Keanu Reeves makes a very subtle appearance? Additionally, his presence introduces a minor chronological inconsistency in the film.

This isn’t about a traditional role or cameo but rather about a 1987 commercial featuring Keanu Reeves. It briefly appears in a scene filled with multiple television screens showing chaotic images. For a brief moment – specifically at 1 hour, 46 minutes, and 9 seconds – a commercial for Kellogg’s Corn Flakes featuring a young Keanu is shown in the top left corner of the screen. The advertisement is quickly replaced by a news broadcast. Recognizing this commercial is crucial because the image is blurry and fleeting.

Here is the commercial in question:

An Anachronistic Nod Among Many

This amusing detail introduces a small paradox: “Joker” is set in 1981, a full six years before this advertisement was actually aired. It’s a chronological error, but it adds to several other temporal inconsistencies scattered throughout the film.

Upon closer inspection, several elements can be spotted that do not belong to the era depicted in the film. For instance, in the same multi-screen scene, one can spot the Energizer Bunny mascot, which was introduced in 1988, seven years after the events of the film.

Another anachronism is a shop window displaying a sign for “Cell Phone Repair,” even though the first commercial models didn’t appear until 1983, and it took much longer for such businesses to become commonplace.

And there’s more. In another scene, a Citi Bike bike rack, a modern bike-sharing service typical of New York, makes a brief appearance. Even more surprising, an ambulance used in the film is a fourth-generation Ford Econoline, which wasn’t manufactured until 1992.

Mistakes That Do Not Mar the Legend

These anachronistic details, though surprising, do not detract from the film’s quality. Some might even see them as a deliberately quirky touch, giving Gotham and the Joker’s story a timeless atmosphere.

Regardless, “Joker” remains a landmark in contemporary cinema, honored with two Oscars: Best Actor for Joaquin Phoenix and Best Original Score for Hildur Guðnadóttir. And now, you can rewatch it with a fresh perspective… keeping an eye out for Keanu Reeves’ unexpected appearance!

“Joker” is available for streaming on HBO Max, while its less popular sequel, “Joker: Folie à Deux”, is available on VOD.