While many shy away from thoughts about death, Keanu Reeves embraces them. “I’m 59, so I’m thinking about death all the time,” the Hollywood superstar shared in a recent BBC News interview. He sees this contemplation as valuable. “Hopefully it’s not crippling, but hopefully it makes us more appreciative of the breath we take and the relationships we have the potential to nurture.”

The reason for this deep conversation with The Matrix star isn’t another blockbuster movie. This time, it’s about his new book—Reeves’ first novel. “The Book of Elsewhere,” written in collaboration with British science fiction author China Miéville, follows an immortal warrior who yearns for the ability to die.

“The Book of Elsewhere” is inspired by the hugely successful BRZRKR comic book series created by Reeves. Released in 2021, BRZRKR (pronounced “berserker”) is also set to be adapted into a live-action Netflix film starring Reeves, as well as an anime series. For Reeves, comic books hold a special appeal. “I love the images,” he says. “I love words and storytelling, and I love the way that you can have this engagement that overlays. And so you can look at the art and then you can follow the story.”

Despite his significant contribution, Reeves downplays his role in the novel’s creation. “I didn’t write a novel. China wrote a novel,” he insists. However, Miéville counters, “That’s putting it too far. It wouldn’t exist in this form without a lot of very thoughtful and careful work with Keanu.”

Keanu Reeves once provided an incredibly thoughtful response when asked about his thoughts on death. Mortality isn’t a common topic for celebrities on late-night talk shows, but it came up when Reeves, then 54, discussed the third installment of the Bill and Ted franchise during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. When Colbert asked what he thought happens when we die, Reeves paused before simply replying, “I know that the ones who love us will miss us.”