In a revealing new interview, Alex Winter, forever remembered as Bill S. Preston Esq. from the cult classic Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, has opened up about his complex relationship with fame, his recent theatrical reunion with Keanu Reeves, and his urgent new documentary examining the perils of artificial intelligence.
From Time-Travelling Teen to AI Watchdog
Winter, who has largely stepped away from the Hollywood spotlight, has reinvented himself as a serious documentary filmmaker focusing on technology's impact on society. His latest project, You Now, serves as a stark warning about the unchecked rise of AI.
'We're at a critical juncture,' Winter explains. 'AI isn't some distant future concept; it's actively reshaping our world in ways most people don't understand. The concentration of power in the hands of a few tech giants is genuinely alarming.'
A Surprising Stage Reunion with Keanu Reeves
Fans of the iconic duo were thrilled earlier this year when Winter and Reeves shared the stage once more, not for a Bill & Ted sequel, but for a prestigious reading of Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot.
'It was incredibly meaningful,' Winter reflects. 'There's a deep, unspoken understanding between us after all these years. The project was artistically fulfilling in a way that transcended our past work together.'
The Dark Side of Early Fame
Winter speaks candidly about the psychological toll of becoming an international teen idol almost overnight. 'That level of fame, especially when you're young, is profoundly destabilising,' he admits.
He describes the experience as being 'thrown into a meat grinder' and credits his transition to documentary filmmaking with providing a much-needed sense of purpose and perspective away from the Hollywood machine.
Looking Forward with Caution
While optimistic about technology's potential, Winter's work emphasises the need for robust regulation and public awareness. 'My goal isn't to spread fear, but to foster understanding,' he states. 'We must be active participants in this technological revolution, not passive consumers.'
Through You Now and his candid reflections on fame and artistry, Alex Winter emerges not just as a beloved 80s icon, but as a crucial voice in one of the most important conversations of our time.
