One of the main factors that decide the success of an action movie is the authenticity of its action sequences. Excessive use of CGI often leads to poor audience ratings, so filmmakers create those action-packed sequences in real life. Without a doubt, actors like Tom Cruise and Dwayne Johnson are dominating the action genre today, however, there was another film, featuring Keanu Reeves, that was made two decades ago that contained authentic stunts.

Directed by Lana and Lilly Wachowski, 2003’s The Matrix Reloaded, is arguably the best movie in the Matrix franchise. There is an iconic motorcycle chase scene in the movie that was made entirely on a 1.5-mile stretch of fake freeway. With the help of some visual effects, the scene came to fruition.

The motorcycle chase scene in The Matrix Reloaded was made on a freeway

A still from the iconic bike chase scene in The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
2003’s The Matrix Reloaded was well-received by the fans. The film contained some memorable action scenes that managed to captivate the audience. One of these scenes was the motorcycle chase scene. The scene was shot over the course of three months, with a combination of some scenes shot on an actual freeway and some visual effects. The 1.5-mile stretch of fake freeway was actually constructed just for the scene.

The movie was the sequel to The Matrix (1999) and the second installment in the Matrix film series. The film featured Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, and Gloria Foster.

What was the damage from the Keanu Reeves movie?

A still from the iconic bike chase scene in The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
The results of performing these stunts on a real freeway cost a lot of money. Over 300 vehicles were destroyed, which can be reflected in the extensive budget of the film, which was expected to be somewhere between $127–150 million.

The stars of the movie, Carrie-Anne Moss and Keanu Reeves did most of their stunts on their own. The Wachowski sisters managed to give fans some death-defying stunts that push the boundaries of what is visually possible. Without a doubt, The Matrix Reloaded‘s stunts make it one of the most iconic movies in the history of action movies.

Why are action movies successful?

Keanu Reeves as Neo in The Matrix
One thing that has remained constant in Hollywood since it came into existence is the audiences’ love for action movies. The high-octane sequences, explosive special effects, and cheeky one-liners deliver fans an immersive cinematic experience.

It doesn’t matter if the movie is set in futuristic dystopias, a historical era, or contemporary urban landscapes, Hollywood action movies always manage to captivate the audience and earn big at the global box office continuing to push cinematic boundaries, providing an unforgettable experience for cinephiles.

The Matrix Reloaded is available for streaming on Max.

An Australian’s quest for royal recognition takes a dramatic turn, with a plan to compare DNA with a royal family member at the center. Amidst a backdrop of controversy and compassion, the tale unfolds with global eyes watching

King Charles III, Simon Charles Dorante-Day and Queen Camilla posted on November 7, 2021 | Source: Facebook/Simon Charles Dorante-Day

In a revelation that has captivated global attention, Simon Charles Dorante-Day, a Queensland, Australia resident, has come forward with a claim that could shake the foundations of the British Royal Family. Asserting his lineage as the son of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, Simon’s story takes an unprecedented turn with his intention to compare his DNA with that of Prince Harry.

This bold move aims to establish his purported royal patrilineage. His story and decision to take this route have sparked debates on his eligibility for the throne on social media.

King Charles III, Simon Charles Dorante-Day and Queen Camilla posted on December 4, 2021 | Source: Facebook/Simon Charles Dorante-Day

Elvianna Dorante-Day, Simon’s wife, shared, “We got advice from a really good, really trusted source that we should approach Harry and make a connection there and ask for DNA.” The couple believes that Prince Harry may be sympathetic to their quest for truth.

“It’s definitely something I’m going to do. I’ve long been a supporter of Harry and Meghan, I think it’s disgraceful the way they’ve been treated by the royal family,” Simon expressed, highlighting his stance and the anticipated approach toward seeking validation amidst familial complexities.

King Charles III and Simon Charles Dorante-Day posted on August 30, 2021 | Source: Facebook/Simon Charles Dorante-Day

The timing of Simon’s claims is particularly poignant, coming to light just hours after the public learned of King Charles III’s cancer diagnosis. Despite the controversy swirling around his claims, Simon has expressed a sentiment of goodwill towards the ailing monarch. “If he wants a helping hand, I’m more than happy to step in. But he’s got to tell the truth first,” Simon remarked.

Simon Charles Dorante-Day and Queen Camilla posted on September 22, 2021 | Source: Facebook/Simon Charles Dorante-Day

The royal family has yet to respond, leaving the public and media to speculate on the implications of Simon’s assertions. Should DNA evidence support his claims, the narrative surrounding the royal succession could be fundamentally altered.

Simon Charles Dorante-Day and Queen Camilla posted on June 7, 2021 | Source: Facebook/Simon Charles Dorante-Day

Public reaction has been mixed, with some dismissing Simon’s aspirations of royalty as far-fetched, while others see a possibility for a historic revelation. Comments ranged from skepticism — “After seeing him saying he and his wife will be [the] next King and Queen, it’s now become ridiculous. He will never be King because he is the illegitimate child.” — to support — “Let’s get Justice, King Simon.”

Others expressed anticipation, “I can’t wait to see the day the truth is revealed and the whole world will know you are his son,” and encouragement, “Good luck, I wish you every success with the DNA. What wonderful news.” Someone even noted the contrast with other royal traditions, “In other European countries that would be acceptable to become the next King.”

Simon Charles Dorante-Day and King Charles III posted on June 2, 2021 | Source: Facebook/Simon Charles Dorante-Day

In a social media statement last December, Simon revealed attempts to illegitimately acquire his DNA, adding another layer of intrigue to his narrative.

“Both of these incidents have been reported to the appropriate authorities for further investigation […] So, for those who think that approaching me, or trying to obtain DNA in a deceptive manner would be a good idea, be aware that you are endangering your own well-being. 👮,” he cautioned.

Simon Charles Dorante-Day posted on March 20, 2021 | Source: Facebook/Simon Charles Dorante-Day

As the public and media continue to scrutinize his every move, the question remains: Could Simon disrupt the royal lineage, or is his claim another footnote in the annals of speculative royal family history? Only time, and perhaps DNA, will tell.