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No way! 'Sad Keanu' toy goes on sale No way! 'Sad Keanu' toy goes on sale
(about 5 hours later)
In 2010, an internet meme of Hollywood tristesse first caused global concern for the well-being of actor Keanu Reeves. Now a Japanese designer has immortalised the "sad Keanu" Photoshop meme as an action figure for fans to enjoy in the comfort of their own homes. In 2010, an internet meme of Hollywood tristesse first caused global concern for the well-being of actor Keanu Reeves. Now a New-York based designer has immortalised the "sad Keanu" Photoshop meme as an action figure for fans to enjoy in the comfort of their own homes.
Idk's Keanu figure, designed by Neuralfirings and constructed with 3D printers, riffs on a paparazzi photograph of a melancholy looking Reeves sitting alone on a park bench with a paper-bag lunch beside him. The original shot was taken in May 2010 by Splash News photographer Ron Asadorian and subsequently spread via sites such as Reddit, Facebook and Twitter. A global "cheer up Keanu Day" campaign was later launched on Facebook. Idk's Keanu figure, designed by Nancy Liang aka Neuralfirings and constructed with 3D printers, riffs on a paparazzi photograph of a melancholy looking Reeves sitting alone on a park bench with a paper-bag lunch beside him. The original shot was taken in May 2010 by Splash News photographer Ron Asadorian and subsequently spread via sites such as Reddit, Facebook and Twitter. A global "cheer up Keanu Day" campaign was later launched on Facebook.
In publicity shots picked up by Perez Hilton's website, Idk has placed its Keanu in a considerably more verdant setting than the one seen in the original photo. Furthermore, a small bird in the foreground of the initial image has been reimagined as a friendly chicken. Though given a more pastoral environment, the Canadian actor maintains his original downcast demeanour. In publicity shots picked up by Perez Hilton's website, Japanese toysellers Idk have placed its Keanu in a considerably more verdant setting than the one seen in the original photo. Furthermore, a small bird in the foreground of the initial image has been reimagined as a friendly chicken. Though given a more pastoral environment, the Canadian actor maintains his original downcast demeanour.
Perhaps the Japanese designer thought Reeves needed cheering up in the wake of poor box-office results for last year's $175m (£106m) Samurai epic 47 Ronin, which did particularly poorly in Japan. Man of Tai Chi, the actor's directing debut, was well-received by critics, but also bombed at the US box office last year. Perhaps Liang thought Reeves needed cheering up in the wake of poor box-office results for last year's $175m (£106m) Samurai epic 47 Ronin, which did particularly poorly in Japan. Man of Tai Chi, the actor's directing debut, was well-received by critics, but also bombed at the US box office last year.
Shapeways has the Keanu figure, minus background, on sale for $49 (£30). A smaller version is available for $25. The uses for either version appear to be endless. Shapeways has the Keanu figure, minus background, on sale for $45 (£30). A smaller version is available for $25. The uses for either version appear to be endless.
• Keanu Reeves' 47 Ronin expected to be one of 2013's biggest box-office bombs• Keanu Reeves: 'I would've broken Kubrick'• Keanu Reeves' 47 Ronin expected to be one of 2013's biggest box-office bombs• Keanu Reeves: 'I would've broken Kubrick'
• This article was amended on 23 January 2013. We originally said that the Sad Keanu toy was created by Japanese toymakers idk, when in fact it was designed and created by New York based designer Nancy Liang. This has now been corrected.