LOS ANGELES ― The iconic “Speed” bus made a special return for one night.

Over three decades after the release of the beloved 1994 action film, key figures Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock, and director Jan de Bont gathered for an exciting screening and their first joint discussion on Tuesday. A multitude of fans eagerly awaited entry into the sold-out Beyond Fest at the American Cinematheque, where cheers erupted during every thrilling moment of “Speed.”

“We knew we were creating something unique,” Reeves, now 60, said, reflecting on his role as a police officer racing to stop a bomb from detonating on a city bus, driven by Annie (Bullock). The challenge was to keep the bus speed above 50 miles per hour.

Bullock, 60, who gained fame through her role in “Speed,” expressed that her inexperience at the time didn’t make her realize that actually driving the bus (for which she obtained a Santa Monica bus driver’s license) and colliding with vehicles was not typical in filmmaking. The production went through 14 buses during filming.

“I was controlling a projectile. I was just relieved to be safe,” Bullock stated. “Being new to this whole industry, I didn’t have an awareness of the ordeal or what was appropriate. We were simply swept up in the reality of it. The stunts were genuine; we were truly crashing into things.”

Bullock shared her determination to land the role she loved.

“Others passed on the part, and there were people before me,” Bullock noted, as the director interjected.

“When I saw you, I was certain you were the one,” de Bont, who is now 80, responded.

“You only saw me after one, two, and three couldn’t handle it,” Bullock retorted with a laugh.

While discussing the authentic stunts from “Speed,” Bullock had an enlightening moment regarding her casting.

“It just hit me why you cast me in that role,” she said. “If my character died, the news would read, ‘New Actor Dies in Stunt While Filming Keanu Reeves Movie.'”

At that time, Reeves was becoming a rising star, having established his presence in “Point Break” before “Speed.” He shocked the crew when he showed up for the film with a buzz cut, a stark contrast to his previously long hair.

“I heard whispers, ‘Why did he shorten his hair? It’s too short!'” Reeves remembered, feeling the tension on set. “I felt a sense of urgency. It was already too late!”

Despite the initial shock, de Bont adored the new hairstyle once he adjusted to it.

“Once you sported the shorter hair, you truly embodied the character, which was brilliant,” he praised. “I didn’t want you to revert to long hair; you’d appear too relaxed. I wanted you to seem more intense.”

Reeves undertook many of the film’s demanding stunts, including the notable scene where he lies on a cart attached to a cable and rolls beneath a moving bus to defuse the bomb.

“Being under that bus on a little wheeled cart, and going at 25 to 30 miles per hour was definitely risky,” Reeves shared. “Then they said, ‘Let’s add another wire to it.’ It turned into a big deal, and eventually, they thought, ‘Maybe we shouldn’t involve Keanu in this anymore.'”

Is a ‘Speed 3’ in the Works?

The conversation naturally shifted to potential future projects. Reeves missed out on the poorly received 1997 sequel “Speed 2: Cruise Control,” which starred Jason Patrick, along with Bullock and was directed by de Bont.

Would the trio contemplate making “Speed 3” three decades down the line?

“The geriatric edition,” Bullock joked. “It wouldn’t be fast at all.”

“Speed 3: Retirement,” Reeves chimed in.

“It would certainly be a different film,” de Bont agreed. “But I would absolutely love to work with both of them again.”