Keanu Reeves trained for almost a year for this one scene in The Matrix.

The 64-year-old actor reminisced about working on the iconic "Matrix." Speaking about filming the Wachowski sisters' masterpiece, Laurence Fishburne revealed that preparations for the memorable scene where Neo trains under Morpheus' watchful eye took almost a year. The shot itself took three days to film. "We were covered in bruises," the three-time Emmy winner confessed.

Although more than a quarter of a century has passed since the premiere of the first installment of "The Matrix," the film, directed by the Wachowski sisters, is still considered one of the most iconic and revolutionary science fiction films in the history of modern cinema. The dystopian tale of a young hacker who discovers the terrifying truth about the reality around him, which turns out to be merely a simulation created by intelligent machines, won four Oscars, two BAFTA Awards, and two Saturn Awards, among other accolades.

A film that was ahead of its time in many respects, it also set new standards for shooting fight scenes. And those in "The Matrix" were impressive with their intricate choreography and spectacular execution. To achieve the final effect, which continues to captivate generations of viewers, the actors devoted months to painstaking preparation.

Laurence Fishburne, who plays Morpheus, recalled these preparations. During the recent New York Comic Con, he revealed that he and Keanu Reeves spent nearly a year perfecting the depiction of Neo's combat training under Morpheus' watchful eye.

"We trained for six months before we got to Australia. And then we continued training for at least four months before we shot that scene. We filmed it for about three days. We were covered in bruises," the 64-year-old actor recalled.

He added that their enormous commitment stemmed from their faith in the directors' creative vision. As Joe Pantoliano, who played Cypher in "The Matrix," noted, this vision remains an unparalleled model for filmmakers.

"It was the first time actors actually performed kung fu. And then, thanks to the film's success, everyone copied it—but poorly and clumsily, with many cuts and tight shots. The fight scenes from 'The Matrix' are like a symphony compared to what we see today," the actor emphasized.