After years of rumors of a reboot or re-imagining, it looks like it’s officially time to take the red pill again. After celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2019, The Matrix is going back online. Here is everything we know so far about the long-awaited return to the year 2199.
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What’s it called?
We officially have a title for the upcoming Matrix installment. A preview of the film debuted during CinemaCon, and while that footage isn’t available, the other big news out of the convention is that the film is called The Matrix Resurrections. It’s ominous, intriguing, and we really do love to see it. Fingers crossed that footage drops to the public soon!
Who Is Behind the Camera for The Matrix Resurrections?
The original trilogy’s co-director Lana Wachowski, is returning to helm the fourth chapter. In a statement, Warner Bros’ Toby Emmerich said “We could not be more excited to be re-entering The Matrix with Lana. Lana is a true visionary — a singular and original creative filmmaker — and we are thrilled that she is writing, directing and producing this new chapter in ‘The Matrix’ universe.”
Lana Wachowski added “Many of the ideas Lilly and I explored 20 years ago about our reality are even more relevant now. I’m very happy to have these characters back in my life and grateful for another chance to work with my brilliant friends.” Wachowski will co-write the film with Aleksander Hemon and David Mitchell. Unlike the previous three movies, this time Lana will be making a Matrix film without her creative partner and sibling Lilly. Filming began in February 2020, before halting due to COVID-19. Filming then resumed in San Francisco on June 24th, 2020.
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Who Will Star?
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It looks like our main heroes are coming back, with Keanu Reeves returning as Neo, and Carrie Anne Moss coming back to play Trinity. Given the characters’ fates in The Matrix Revolutions, we’re not quite sure how this is going to work yet. According to Deadline, Jada Pinkett Smith is most likely coming back as Niobe from The Matrix Reloaded and Matrix Revolutions. Another veteran from the sequels making a return is Lambert Wilson, who portrayed The Merovingian.
Joining the original actors is Aquaman’s own Black Manta, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. Many speculate that he could be playing a younger version of Morpheus in the film. One actor not confirmed to come back as of yet is original Morpheus actor Laurence Fishburne. This leads to even more speculation that Abdul-Mateen might be playing his part.
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A ton of new faces will be coming on board as well. Brian J. Smith, who played Will Gorski on the Netflix series Sense8 has joined the cast, along with his castmates from that series, Max Riemelt and Toby Onwumere. Also joining up are Neil Patrick Harris, Iron Fist’s Jessica Henwick, Mindhunter’s Jonathan Groff, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. In June 2020, Variety reported that Christina Ricci had joined the cast as well. Ricci starred as Trixie in the Wackowskis’ 2008 film Speed Racer.
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In addition to Fishburne, another major original cast member is not coming back. Hugo Weaving, who famously portrayed the dastardly Agent Smith. Weaving told Time Out that scheduling conflicts made his inclusion in The Matrix Resurrections impossible given his commitment to another project, The Visit.
What Is The Matrix Resurrections About?
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The announcement has no plot details at all. But the title, The Matrix Resurrections, suggests that it is a straight up follow up to the third film. The Wachowskis shot the two Matrix sequels back-to-back, and both hit theaters in 2003. Although they have their fans to be sure, the sequels never quite lived up to the promise of the groundbreaking original film from 1999 in the eyes of many. It will be interesting to see if this new chapter coming can bring back the awe and wonder we all felt two decades back, when we saw Keanu do the whole bullet time thing for the very first time. Given where we left the characters, it’ll be fascinating to see just how Neo and company manage to come back.
When is The Matrix Resurrections Coming Out?
The Matrix Resurrections premieres on December 22, 2021.
Featured Image: Warner Bros.
Originally published on August 20, 2019, with updates on January 28, February 21 and July 29, 2020, and July 7, 2021.
