There are plenty of classic Keanu Reeves roles, from The Matrix‘s Neo to the Baba Yaga himself, John Wick. Yet Good Fortune writer/director Aziz Ansari was thinking of a couple of other classic Reeves roles to inspire the actor’s latest performance as the guardian angel Gabriel.

In GQ interview, Reeves, Ansari, and Seth Rogen discussed Good Fortune, releasing in movie theaters October 17, and their careers. At one point, Ansari said for this film he wanted to tap into the part of Reeves’ career before he was an action star, particularly his memorable performances in Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure and Parenthood, “to find Gabriel.”

Most Reeves fans know Bill & Ted, in which Reeves plays spacey but loveable high school student Ted. Parenthood, though, is a 1989 Ron Howard movie that tells the story of a group of siblings and the various challenges they have raising their kids. Reeves plays Tod Higgins, who once again has an almost airhead-like quality.

That is what Ansari wanted Gabriel, described as a “budget” guardian angel in the trailer, who attempts to show he can do more than what he’s been tasked with by getting involved in the lives of Ansari’s Arj and Seth Rogen’s Jeff. “There’s such a sweetness to these guys and all the humor of their naivete,” Ansari said.

Reeves added that Ansari’s recommendation to use those characters allowed him to infuse not just the “innocence” of Ted and Tod, but “the energy of that… the kind of moving forward.”

Watch the full GQ interview, which also sees each actor talk about how they first came to know each other’s work and how Ansari’s original pitch for Good Fortune was close to a forgotten 1990s movie, below:

In addition to Ansari, Reeves, and Rogen, Good Fortune stars Keke Palmer, Sandra Oh, and Sherry Cola.

The film, which marks Ansari’s directorial debut, has earned solid reviews so far, with the movie sitting at 83% “Fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes as of writing. ScreenRant‘s Good Fortune review was also positive, calling Reeve’s Gabriel perhaps “the most endearing character of the year.”

Good Fortune is the second movie that Reeves has starred in this year. The other was a reprisal of his iconic characters, once again appearing as John Wick in Ana De Armas’ Ballerina. Another Wick outing appears to be in the works, as John Wick 5 updates continue to tease the return of the super assassin.