Neo and Trinity are going back into the Matrix for the fourth time.
On Tuesday (August 20), Variety confirmed Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures will join forces to produce and distribute Matrix 4, with Keanu Reeves (Neo) and Carrie-Anne Moss (Trinity) set to reprise their roles in the forthcoming film.
Lana Wachowski, who co-created The Matrix (1999) and its two sequels, The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions (both in 2003), will also return to write and direct the fourth installment, which reportedly begins production at the beginning of 2020, according to sources.
โWe could not be more excited to be re-entering โThe Matrixโ with Lana,โ said Warner Bros. Picture Group chairman Toby Emmerich in an announcement. โLana is a true visionary โ a singular and original creative filmmaker โ and we are thrilled that she is writing, directing and producing this new chapter in โThe Matrixโ universe.โ
After years of waiting to acquire production rights, the studio was able to expedite development in recent months with the anticipation of Wachowski getting behind the script and Reevesโ box office successes John Wick 3 and Toy Story 4.
As yet, no word has been given on Matrix 4, plot-wise. However, insiders hinted the role of Morpheus, originated by Laurence Fishburne, โmay be recast for a younger take.โ
Collectively, all three Matrix films, which Wachowski directed alongside her sister, Lilly, have amassed over $1.6 billion worldwide at the box office. In speaking with Variety about revisiting the Matrix universe, Wachowski said: โMany of the ideas Lilly and I explored 20 years ago about our reality are even more relevant now. Iโm very happy to have these characters back in my life and grateful for another chance to work with my brilliant friends.โ
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