Image via ROADSHOW //
It’s safe to say that when The Matrix first came out in 1999, it forever changed the cultural landscape and melted minds all across the world. With the franchise wrapping up in 2003 with The Matrix Revolutions, we thought it’d be the last we’d see of Neo, Morpheus, Trinity and all our other favourite wall running heroes. But with The Matrix 4 set to be released next year, it’s fair to say we’re just a bit excited to see all our favourite heroes rock dope fits and pull off insane parkour moves. Beware, the following article contains spoilers for The Matrix trilogy, so if you somehow haven’t seen any of the films in the series (where have you been for 20 years?!) then SPOILER ALERT! You’ve been warned.
Not to fear, Keanu Reeves will be reprising his role as Neo (YES!), along with Carrie-Ann Moss who’s coming back as Trinity. It’ll be interesting to see how they bring back Carrie-Ann Moss’s character considering she met a pretty conclusive end in the final film, whereas we wouldn’t be surprised if Neo somehow climbed out of the jaws of death with his superhero powers. We also have LWA favourite and In Living Colour alum Jada Pinkett Smith coming back as Niobe. However, Aussie favourite Hugo Weaving won’t be returning due to scheduling conflicts, and whether Laurence Fishburne is yet to come back remains to be seen.
Lana Wachowski, who created the series with her sister Lilly, will return to direct the movie. Interestingly, it’ll be the first time she’s directing a movie by herself, the pair having directed films like Bound, Speed Racer and Jupiter Ascending together. Lana will also be writing the script, alongside Aleksandar Hemon and David Mitchell.
So far, Yahya Abdul-Mateen ll, who played Black Manta in DC’s Aquaman last year, will be playing a lead role in the film. How I Met Your Mother star and legend- wait for it- dary actor Neil Patrick Harris will also be joining the cast, along with Iron Fist’s Jessica Henwick, who’ll be portraying “a female-like Neo character”.
You bet we’re keen as for the new Sci-Fi blockbuster, and it’s safe to say that if the fourth movie in the franchise is anywhere near as impactful as the first, second or (maybe not third), Lana Wachowski will have a real hit on her hands.