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The Matrix 4 Set Videos: Keanu Reeves' Neo Returns
Set videos have given us our first look at Keanu Reeves reprising his role as Neo in the upcoming The Matrix 4. In addition to the surprising announcement that The Matrix creator, Lana Wachowski would be helming a sequel, various casting information was released last year; not only was Wachowski returning to write and direct The Matrix 4 but franchise veterans Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Jada Pinkett would all be reprising their roles from the original trilogy. Given the way 2003’s The Matrix Revolutions ended, it’s very unclear how Reeves' Neo and Moss’ Trinity will tie into The Matrix 4’s story.
The Matrix 4’s cast will also include newcomers Jessica Henwick, Neil Patrick Harris, Jonathan Groff, Toby Onwumere, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. Abdul-Mateen’s rumored casting as a young Morpheus has led many to believe that the film’s plot will be a nonlinear one, taking place around the events of the original three Matrix movies. A nostalgia-driven plot will only add to the fact that we haven’t seen Reeves as Neo in 17 years.
Filming for The Matrix 4 has begun in San Francisco. Thanks to videos from the set circulating on the Keanu Planet Twitter account, we have now been given our first look at Reeves as Neo since 2003. in the videos, instead of wearing Neo’s trademark leather garb and sunglasses, Reeves is seen sporting casual street attire and a hairstyle similar to his appearance in the John Wick franchise. Carrie-Anne Moss can also be seen on set in photographs that were taken. Check out that footage and those pictures below.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1225155742635827204
The Matrix released over 20 years ago. Its relevant themes (the world being submerged in a Y2K frenzy), an intriguing premise, and anchoring performance by Keanu Reeves made the latter a household name. Neo, humanity's chosen savior against in a war against machines, is not unlike Reeves’ more recent character, John Wick: both are seemingly indestructible. The success of the John Wick films has reinvigorated Reeves’ popularity to staggering heights; it seems suitable then, that The Matrix 4 and John Wick: Chapter 4 are both set to be released on May 21, 2021.
Seeing Reeves as Neo, looking like John Wick is borderline metaphorical; they are without a doubt, his two most popular roles—the two pillars of Reeves’ career. Warner Bros’ decision to move forward with Wachowski instead of their reboot of The Matrix franchise was surely influenced by Reeves’ almost deified popularity. His return as Neo (and the questions surrounding it) fuel anticipation for The Matrix 4 in a way that wouldn’t be possible otherwise.
The Matrix 4 (2021)
Release Date: May 21, 2021
