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The Matrix 4 is gradually rounding out its cast, and there are plenty of familiar faces ready to take another red pill. While 1999's original The Matrix was a game-changing piece of cinema from the Wachowskis, the two sequels that followed are generally considered to be vastly inferior, but this hasn't prevented constant calls for a fourth installment over the years. That wish finally became a reality in 2019, with an official announcement confirming The Matrix 4 was on its way with Lana Wachowski directing.

Although story details are predictably scarce at this early stage, it appears that The Matrix 4 will merge together the old and new, with high-profile modern stars and cast members from the original trilogy both included in the lineup. There are rumors that The Matrix 4 could be a passing of the torch, triggering a brand new trilogy, but others have suggested a time-travel story could be the order of the day, with younger versions of iconic characters appearing. Here are all the returning figures in The Matrix 4.

Keanu Reeves As Neo

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In The Matrix Revolutions, Neo manages to defeat Agent Smith by allowing himself to be taken over while connected to the Source, effectively frying Smith at the cost of Neo's own life. Despite giving himself up to save the real world from Smith and the formidable machine army, the Oracle strongly hints that Neo might one day return, and this prediction will come to pass in The Matrix 4, in which original star, Keanu Reeves, will reprise his role. Exactly how Neo returns remains to be seen, but his power as The One already generated near God-like power, so resurrection is far from unlikely. More pertinently, will Neo be the lead protagonist once again, or a mentor this time around?

Carrie-Anne Moss As Trinity

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Accompanying Reeves on his trip back into the Matrix is Carrie-Anne Moss, who played Neo's lover, Trinity. Just like her partner, Trinity also died in The Matrix Revolutions, although her death was widely panned as one of the worst moments in the trilogy. Not only are the visuals somewhat suspect, but Trinity dies literally as soon as she's served her purpose in ferrying Neo to his destination, impaled during the landing. The Matrix 4 can redeem Trinity, but it's less clear how she'll return. The Matrix Online showed that characters can be brought back if their DNA is translated into code and 'saved' but The Matrix 4 may take another route.

Lambert Wilson As The Merovingian

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Wilson had a supporting role in the two Matrix sequels as The Merovingian. Apparently one of the oldest programs in the Matrix, the Merovingian acted as a data highway in the digital world and led a gang of Exiles - programs that should've been deleted from the Matrix but had now fallen into doing the Merovingian's bidding. It's suggested that the Merovingian once had a larger influence over the Matrix, but became blinded by power and opulence. His fate is uncertain at the end of the trilogy, but Wilson returns in The Matrix 4, perhaps this time in a less villainous capacity.

Possible Returning Characters In The Matrix 4

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Several reports have indicated some more surprising comebacks could be imminent in The Matrix 4, one of which is Jada Pinkett-Smith as Niobe. The captain of the Logos and the on-off lover of Morpheus, Niobe was a key member of the human resistance and remained alive at the end of the original trilogy, so her return would make sense. Slightly more complex are reports that Yahya Abdul-Mateen II will play a young Morpheus. The Watchmen actor is confirmed for The Matrix 4 in an unknown role, but rumors persist that the possible time-travel mechanic could see him playing a younger version of Laurence Fishburne's enigmatic leader.

? As Agent Smith

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Interesting and candid comments from Hugo Weaving recently revealed that he was initially lined up to appear in The Matrix 4, but dropped out when filming dates were shifted. This confirms Agent Smith was included in Wachowski's initial story for The Matrix 4, and another actor could feasibly play the character in Weaving's absence.

The Matrix 4 (2021)
Release Date: May 21, 2021

Still remember how amazed I was walking out of the movie theater in '99
No doubt that the original move was a game changer in many ways. Remember there was quite a lot of extra scenes in Matrix the game as well, complementing the stories from the 3 films. No. 4 will force me to my local theater for sure.