Knowing the major impact "The Day the Earth Stood Still" has had on film fans and popular culture since its release in 1951, Keanu Reeves was keenly aware as he started filming the update of the science fiction classic that comparisons would inevitably await him.

But just because the Earth stood still 58 years ago, it doesn't mean it stayed that way. After all, with the changes that humans have brought to the planet since, Reeves said that the timing is as good as ever to re-envision the futuristic cautionary tale.

In a recent @ The Movies interview, Reeves said that the structure remains from the 1951 film, but other than that, a new "Day" is dawning.

"Part of what made the original so great was that it was speaking about its time," Reeves said. "So we simply kept that structure and brought the story to present day to speak about our time. And as a bonus, hopefully by people seeing this film, it will bring new viewers to the original."

Opening in theaters nationwide on Friday, "The Day the Earth Stood Still" stars Reeves in the iconic role of Klaatu, an alien who comes to Earth with an imposing robot to warn the planet to live peacefully or face destruction.

But instead of arriving in a flying saucer, a la 1951, Klaatu is transported by a monolithic sphere, and the differences don't end there. Chief among them is Reeves' portrayal of Klaatu, which is decidedly different than Michael Rennie, who played the role in 1951.

"Our telling of the story is so different in terms of the character obligations," Reeves said. "With Michael Rennie's portrayal of Klaatu, the character came to the world with an openness and affability -- a kind of bemused knowing -- and by the end he sent his message with a threat. But we've inverted the story. My Klaatu is more sinister when he arrives and Rennie's character is more human than a human."

Although the film's initial trailer only indicated a hint of the character, one vital element that definitely remains in the new "Day" is Klaatu's omnipresent robot.

"If you're gonna do the film again, you gotta keep Gort," Reeves said, laughing. "Scott Derrickson, the director of our film, was a big fan of the original and its director, Robert Wise. He went through torturous machinations trying to come up with a new modern-day concept for Gort. In the end, he just spiffed up the original a bit."

While Reeves has enjoyed success in multiple genres, from screwball comedy ("Bill and Ted") and romance ("Something's Gotta Give") and dramedy ("Parenthood"), to horror ("Bram Stoker's Dracula"), adventure ("Speed) and supernatural thrillers ("The Gift" and "Constantine"), the actor's storied trek into "The Matrix" movies has arguably left the biggest mark on audiences.

But with those indelible impressions comes the danger of being typecast, especially in a genre as specific as science fiction. And while "The Day the Earth Stood Still" is by definition a science fiction movie, Reeves said he was totally game to do the film because of its complexity. It's a movie that will not only get audiences' adrenaline pumping, but challenge them intellectually -- and he couldn't be any more jazzed about it.

"It's really more of a drama and suspense film for me," Reeves said. "It gave me the opportunity to be in a movie that I love to participate in. There's popcorn action, great performances and special effects, but there's also meaning. There's a human aspect to it. It's a big idea and a personal story at the same time. It's the sort of movie I want to do."