Whoa: Three Years After 'Resurrections', a Fifth Live-Action 'Matrix' Film Is Now in the Works
There's no word yet on whether Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss will be back — but neither Lana or Lily Wachowski will be directing.
Knock knock, Matrix fans: the door to the sci-fi franchise, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2024, is reopening. Mere days after notching up half a century since the first film in the saga hit cinemas in the US — which happened on March 31 — Warner Bros has announced that it's making a fifth live-action movie in the Keanu Reeves (John Wick: Chapter 4)-led saga.
The news also comes three years after The Matrix last returned to the big screen courtesy of 2021's The Matrix Resurrections. But whether Reeves will be back, or Carrie-Anne Moss (Accidental Texan) as well, hasn't been revealed so far.
While the world wonders whether a live-action Matrix movie without Keanu and Moss is really a Matrix movie, one thing is certain: this new Matrix flick won't feature either Lana or Lilly Wachowski (Sense8) behind the lens. Together, they helmed 1999's first film, then 2003's The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions. Lana did the honours solo on The Matrix Resurrections. On the upcoming feature, Lana will now be an executive producer instead.
In the director's chair this time: Drew Goddard, who helmed The Cabin in the Woods and Bad Times at the El Royale, and earned an Oscar nomination for writing The Martian's screenplay. He'll also be scripting and producing, but the tale he'll be telling also hasn't been announced.
"Drew came to Warner Bros with a new idea that we all believe would be an incredible way to continue the Matrix world, by both honouring what Lana and Lilly began over 25 years ago, and offering a unique perspective based on his own love of the series and characters," said Warner Bros Motion Pictures President of Production Jesse Ehrman in a statement announcing the new film, as per Variety.
"The entire team at Warner Bros Discovery is thrilled for Drew to be making this new Matrix film, adding his vision to the cinematic canon the Wachowskis' spent a quarter of a century building here at the studio."
"It is not hyperbole to say The Matrix films changed both cinema and my life," added Goddard. "Lana and Lilly's exquisite artistry inspires me on a daily basis, and I am beyond grateful for the chance to tell stories in their world."
So far, the saga that rightly claims that Keanu is the one began with with one of the best sci-fi films ever made, delivered two underwhelming sequels mere years later, also includes excellent animated anthology The Animatrix and then enjoyed its first decades-later comeback with The Matrix Resurrections. When its next instalment will land, and what it'll be called, haven't been revealed as yet, either.
There's also no word as to whether any other Matrix cast members will return, with Resurrections also featuring franchise regular Jada Pinkett Smith (The Equalizer) — plus series newcomers Jonathan Groff (Knock at the Cabin), Neil Patrick Harris (Doctor Who), Jessica Henwick (The Royal Hotel), Priyanka Chopra Jonas (Citadel), Christina Ricci (Yellowjackets) and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom).
There's obviously no trailer for the next Matrix movie right now, but check out the trailer for The Matrix Resurrections below:
The new Matrix movie doesn't yet have a release date — we'll update you when one is announced. Read our review of The Matrix Resurrections.
Via Variety.