Get out the sunglasses and trench coats, and prepare to hack back in: It looks like a new Matrix film is on the way. Even better: It looks like transgender sisters Lana & Lily Wachowski will oversee the production.
The Matrix burst on to screens 20 years ago, forever altering the way Hollywood and the public view science fiction. The film spawned two successful, if divisive sequels, countless imitators, a craze for black leather and a full-on religion (seriously). Unlike other film series, however, The Matrix and its subsequent craze seemed to end in the early 2000s, with only a handful of tie-in games left to keep the franchise active.
Now it looks like the creators of the series–who have since come out as transgender–will take part in a revival. While doing press for John Wick Chapter 3: Parabellum which also stars Matrix lead Keanu Reeves, director Chad Stahelski let slip that Warner Bros. has a fourth Matrix film in development.
Related: The Filmmaking Wachowski Siblings Are Both Transgender
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
“I’m super happy that the Wachowskis are not just doing a Matrix but they’re expanding what we all loved,” Stahleski told Yahoo UK. “And if it’s anywhere near the level of what they’ve already done, it wouldn’t take more than a call to go, ‘Hey, we want you to be a stunt guy’ and I would probably go and get hit by a car.” He also added that he was unsure if the Wachowskis would direct the new film, but did confirm their involvement. The news comes following the recent demise of the Wachowski series Sense8, and reports that sisters Lana and Lily had considered retirement.
Star Keanu Reeves happened to sit next to Stahleski and also expressed his own interest at returning to the role of Neo, the messianic hacker at the center of the series. “That would be a gift,” he said. “I wouldn’t say no to that. Yeah.”
The Matrix series followed a group of hackers as they wage war with a race of sentient machines that have enslaved humanity into a computer simulation. The film series made megastars out of actors Reeves, Carie-Ann Moss, Laurence Fishburne & Hugo Weaving, and radically changed Hollywood’s approach to sci-fi and action films. The movies also earned wide acclaim for their diverse casts and subversion of gender stereotypes.
As of yet, Warner Bros. has not revealed any story details or a release date.
Brian
I have never loved a movie and hated it’s sequel as much as The Matrix. I didn’t even bother with the third one. Hard pass.
Vince
I usually feel the same way about sequels but I enjoyed the Matrix series through. Although I agree that the first one was the best. Think i went back 3 x to the theater to watch it.
The style and scenery was amazing. Plus the idea of machines controlling your life and you being asleep for it all. Hard to believe it’s been 20 years ago. Maybe some truth to in there after all. Yikes.
theafricanwiththemouth
That will be Alice through the looking glass for me. Matrix on the other hand, i actually enjoyed all through. But part one was definitely the best. When a movie is so good, it’s always really difficult for the sequel to compare.
supernaut
Sadly the initial report proved inaccurate. Update from Slashfilm:
A representative for Chad Stahelski has reached out and let us know that the initial report was inaccurate. His comments were in response to a hypothetical scenario were the Wachowskis would be involved and he did not confirm them being attached to the new film. Our original article follows below.
Perhaps it’s for the best, I really didn’t like the two sequels and frankly, I don’t want anyone to reboot it.
Josh447
Anything with Keanu starring and I’m on board.
Vince
I gotta say I had such a big crush on him. I found the jacket he wore in the movie and wore that. Along with the sunglasses. I could never find that cool phone that the bottom part slid down though. I have to say the homeless bum look and weight loss hasn’t been kind for his looks today. He’ll always have a soft spot in my heart though.
Toofie
The Wachowskis have had a few high budget disappointments the last few years. Going back to the Matrix well might sound like a good idea, but only the first one was good. And nobody’s demanding another.
Tim
F*CK Matrix… Continue with Sense8 !