When celebrities are going through a tough time, in addition to taking some time away from the spotlight, they’ll rely on their friends, family and even some familiar co-stars. For Sandra Bullock, who sadly lost her longtime partner Bryan Randall in August 2023 at the age of 57 after his private battle with ALS, she’s done just that this past year, and she’s finally making her way back to the public eye.

On Oct. 8, Bullock walked her first red carpet since Randall’s passing at a special Los Angeles screening for her 1994 movie Speed as a part of Beyond Fest at American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theatre. Right by her side for support was the movie’s director Jan de Bont and her co-star Keanu Reeves.

In addition to the carpet, in which Bullock wore an all-black look with a black dress and a chic blazer, Bullock, Reeves and de Bont all joined in a Q&A panel.

Keanu Reeves & Sandra Bullock at BeyondFest at American Cinematheque at Egyptian Theatre.
“I was the new kid on the block and it was nerve-wracking,” Bullock said of her audition for the role, per The Hollywood Reporter. “I remember arriving [to the audition]. I remember the car I drove. I remember what I was thinking about. I remember the door. I walked in and I remember the room was kind of dark. I was happy to be there. I was excited.”

“I didn’t think I’d be getting the job but the only reason I got this job was because I was fought for — that’s the only thing. Well, other people turned it down and there were other people ahead of me,” she admitted. “I’ve met them. One, two, and three couldn’t do it and then you saw me in the dark room,” she said to de Bont.

Knowing how talented the Oscar-winner is, we’re sure the other actresses turning down the role wasn’t entirely why she got it.

Keanu Reeves & Sandra Bullock at BeyondFest at American Cinematheque at Egyptian Theatre.
In the movie, Bullock and Reeves play a bus passenger and a SWAT officer, respectively, doing their best to safely navigate a bus rigged to detonate a bomb if its speed drops below 50 mph.

“I was behind the wheel of a projectile, so I was just happy to be alive at the end of the day,” Bullock joked of her experience on set, per People. “I mean I was new to the whole game so I wasn’t aware of what was happening or what felt right or what was not supposed to feel a certain way, but I was just, you’re just in it.”

“So I think as an actor and, as I was a newbie, I was behind the wheel wanting everyone to be safe,” she said. “It was special.”

As big fans of Bullock, we’re so happy to have her back in the spotlight again, especially with such a special reunion!