The cast of the 1999 film The Matrix underwent an intense, multi-month training regimen focused on various kung fu styles and wirework techniques to prepare for their groundbreaking action sequences. This rigorous preparation, documented in various behind-the-scenes footage, was essential for convincingly executing the complex fight choreography envisioned by the directors. Credit: Warner Bros. Entertainment | History In Pictures

The Matrix | Behind-The-Scenes It’s been a long journey from Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure to The Matrix. Along the way Keanu Reeves has done Shakespeare and Bertolucci, vampires and surfing. The Wachowski’s had no problem making a choice about who they wanted to do the fight choreography. They had seen the work of Yuen Woo Ping, as a director in The Tai Chi Master, Iron Monkey, and Wing Chun, and as the fight choreographer in the Jet Li movies Fist of Legend and Once Upon a Time in China.