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Matrix 4 May Resume Production In July
Warner Bros. is hopeful production will resume on The Matrix 4 come July. The film, set to hit theaters in 2021, was only four weeks into production before having to shutdown due to coronavirus concerns. The franchise has been financially successful for Warner Bros. in the past. The Matrix grossed $465 million worldwide, while its sequels, The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, reeled in over $1 billion globally combined. The Batman may also be resuming production soon, another piece of good news for the studio.
The Matrix series began in 1999, the first film taking audiences by storm and becoming a pop culture phenomenon that spawned two sequels. The story followed a computer hacker, played by Keanu Reeves, who learns about the true nature of his reality and the ongoing war with those in control of it. The film starred Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, and Joe Pantoliano. The film was directed by Lana and Lilly Wachowski, who also returned for both sequels. Both The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions delved deeper into the truth about the Matrix and the war against the machines that threatened humanity.
According to Variety, Warner Bros. has revealed they are hopeful that production will resume on The Matrix 4 in July. Multiple sources have told the publication that returning director Lana Wachowski's cast has signed eight-week extensions to keep them on hold until at least July 6th. Filming began in San Francisco back in February for the fourth installment, before moving to Berlin where production soon had to shut down due to the pandemic.
While much about The Matrix 4 has been kept under wraps, there is a considerable amount of information known about the highly anticipated sequel. For starters, original stars Reeves and Moss are returning. Though both their characters died in The Matrix Revolutions, there is a theory that explains how Neo and Trinity's return was set up over ten years ago. While fans were disappointed to hear Laurence Fishburne wouldn't be reprising his role as Morpheus, it may have already been revealed why the actor isn't returning. The sequel is adding some notable new additions to the cast, including Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Aquaman), Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Jessica Henwick (Iron Fist), Jonathan Groff (Frozen), Ellen Hollman (Spartacus) and Neil Patrick Harris in a secret role. While plot details remain scarce, Reeves has said The Matrix 4's script is "very ambitious."
It remains difficult to believe another Matrix film is on the way, let alone a sequel with both Neo and Trinity returning to the franchise. Though it was disheartening to hear production had to shut down, it was the right call given the current climate. However, hearing that production may resume as soon as July is wonderful to hear, a rare piece of positive news in these harrowing times. Though it's easy to be apprehensive about another installment, the fact many of the original players are returning to the board and are being joined by talented newcomers should be cause for excitement. Regardless, fans will have to wait until The Matrix 4 hits theaters in 2021 to take another trip down the rabbit hole.
The Matrix 4 (2021)
Release Date: May 21, 2021
