The ‘Matrix’ 4 is Happening: Here’s what we know so far
“The problem, is choice” … or, is it?
- BY Linzi Wilson
- ✦ 3 February 2021
- 9:00 pm
When Warner Bros. announced that all of their entire 2021 theatrical slate would be simultaneously released in cinemas and on HBO Max the same day, a collective head scratching must have taken place. With film pushbacks coming to the forefront and an array of new content on the horizon, this studio giant is most definitely not going to sit around and wait for the coronavirus to subside.
Warner Bros. broke the news last year that the Matrix universe would be expanding and that a fourth movie was in the works. Director Lana Wachowski is back taking the lead on the next instalment 17 years after the release of the last film, alongside some of the original cast.
Title
The title for Matrix as we know it (for now) was revealed during a commercial ad for HBO Max. It boasts a new black and white minimalistic style and bares no trace of that electric green associated the Matrix trilogy.
It’s not clear whether this was a deliberate creative decision, or something that was quickly mocked up for the sake of the advert. If one was to hazard a guess, the new branding could mean that the next movie takes us back to the construct mainframe – we see a glimpse of this as the training program, and in Zion control room in Matrix (1999) and Matrix Reloaded (2003). Or, it could all be a dream and then we would be plugged back into the land of green come December.
It needs to be mentioned that a potential title of ‘Matrix Resurrections’ was leaked out into the inter-web by a makeup artist working on the set. A picture was posted of a wrap gift which displayed the film title but was then swiftly deleted. However, Warner Bros. have since responded to the leak and said that there is no official working title as yet (via Screen Rant).
Whatever the story, there is one thing for sure: Neo will be coming back! But [spoiler alert] hold on, didn’t he die in Matrix Revolutions? We guess anything is possible.
Cast & Story
Speaking of ‘The One’, Keanu Reeves (Neo) and Carrie-Anne Moss (Trinity), alongside various other cast members were spotted filming in Berlin and San Francisco. Production halted due to COVID-19 briefly last year but has managed to wrap filming altogether now.
The set footage shows helicopters, motorcycles, emergency vehicles, explosions, and a whole bunch of extras in some very intriguing action-packed sequences, with some interesting night shoots as well.
Jada Pinkett Smith reprising her role as Captain Niobe came as a shock to some as, Lawrence Fishburn surprisingly is not portraying Morpheus (that we know of). Other cast members such as Hugo Weaving (Agent Smith) also have not been involved in the upcoming movie.
Newer members of the cast however include: Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother), Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Candyman), Priyanka Chopra (White Tiger), Jessica Henwick (Game of Thrones), Jonathan Groff (Hamilton/Frozen), and Ellen Hollman (Love and Monsters).
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Release Info
Matrix 4 is set for release 22 December, 2021.
Any Matrix fan will absolutely jump at the chance to experience this film in an actual living, breathing, movie theatre. Imagine immersing yourself into all of those mind-bending storytelling and brilliant special effects. Unfortunately, this might not be a decision most will have the luxury of making if the virus does not dissipate by the time it is released.
That being said, there might be expansion opportunities in play for HBO Max original content by bringing this feature to a VOD platform. The TV and streaming superverse could be limitless, and potentially open up new doors to future multi-media content, including spin-off shows.
No matter what the master plan is, we are super excited to see what becomes of the Matrix cinematic universe, and we are unconditionally ready to take the trip back down the rabbit hole and enter the Matrix once again.
The question is, will it be the red pill or the blue pill for you?
Linzi Wilson
As the creator and founder of Screen Bunny, Linzi is determined to raise the bar for female film aficionados and like-minded women across the globe. With a masters degree in Film Distribution & Marketing and glossy industry experience, you could say she knows a thing or two about the business.
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