star Keanu Reeves has reason to celebrate.

In addition to recently turning 47 (Aug. 2) and publishing “Ode to Happiness,” — his attempt to shed the “Keanu is sad” meme that follows him like a shadow — earlier this June, Reeves is now looking forward to making his directorial debut.

Keanu, mainly known for his role in front of the camera, is now ready to step behind it, as thewrap.com reports the actor is currently in talks to direct “The Man of Tai Chi,” a film which he also plans to star in.

The movie, a Kung Fu flick set in the modern day world of underground flight clubs, will also star Tiger Chen, an experienced actor and stunt man who worked with Reeves in preparation for his role in the Matrix films.

Keanu, cast as the villain in the forthcoming martial arts movie, has admitted that it will not hold back on the punch ups.

“There’s 18 fights.” Reeves told MTV in an interview. “We’ve timed it out. It’s about 40 minutes of fighting. I want to make a good, solid kung fu movie. Good story, good plot — but let’s get some good kung fu going!”

In addition to his Man of Tai Chi gig, Keanu also just finished filming another passion project, a Hollywood version of the classic Japanese samurai-era story 47 Ronin, which has been described by screenwriter Chris Morgan as a “Gladiator-esque, 300-like big action movie with samurai and ninja.”

Listen to Reeves’ discuss his upcoming work in the interview with MTV news below:

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