Keanu Reeves was spotted eating ice cream in Alameda ahead of filming 'Matrix 4'

FILE - Keanu Reeves arrives for the world premiere of "Toy Story 4" at El Capitan theatre in Hollywood, California on June 11, 2019. The actor was reportedly hanging out in Alameda ahead of shooting next month for "Matrix 4." less FILE - Keanu Reeves arrives for the world premiere of "Toy Story 4" at El Capitan theatre in Hollywood, California on June 11, 2019. The actor was reportedly hanging out in Alameda ahead of shooting next month ... more Photo: Valerie Macon, AFP/Getty Images Photo: Valerie Macon, AFP/Getty Images Image 1 of / 38 Caption Close Keanu Reeves was spotted eating ice cream in Alameda ahead of filming 'Matrix 4' 1 / 38 Back to Gallery

Red pill or blue pill? It appears Keanu Reeves chose neither during a recently confirmed sighting in Alameda.

Instead, he opted for a scoop of ice cream at the Baskin-Robbins location on Blanding Avenue.

Video shared to Twitter Monday evening shows the "Always Be My Maybe" actor casually seated on the curb outside of the ice cream chain, enjoying his cone in solitude. (Later, he was kind enough to pose for a photo with a young fan.)

A Baskin-Robbins employee named Abby told KTVU Reeves had walked into the shop around 5 p.m. that day. While she didn't get to see Reeves herself, she said her colleague who was working the evening shift "freaked out" and "didn't know how to act" when he saw the actor walk up to the counter. After the fact, a large sum of money was apparently left in the tip jar.

The fourth "Matrix" installment is scheduled to begin filming in February, and it looks like some of the scenes might take place in Alameda as well as San Francisco. It makes sense: A car chase scene in the 2003 sequel, "The Matrix: Reloaded," was filmed in the Posey Tube connecting Oakland and Alameda.

Last month, the San Francisco Film Commission told SFGATE a major film production – which, ironically enough, has the working title of "Project Ice Cream" – would be shooting around the same time. Industry trade magazine Production Weekly confirmed "Project Ice Cream" was the working title of "Matrix 4."

MORE: Is 'Matrix 4' going to film in San Francisco?

On Wednesday, an Alameda city official confirmed to SFGATE that Warner Bros. had previously obtained "the right permits to do filming" there but could not provide further comment.

Reeves was also reportedly spotted at the Big 5 Sporting Goods location on Park Street the following day.

"Matrix 4" is slated for release on May 21, 2021, the same weekend as "John Wick 4." Keanu fans can look forward to "Bill and Ted 3" later in August.

Amanda Bartlett is an SFGATE associate digital reporter. Email: amanda.bartlett@sfgate.com | Twitter: @byabartlett