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SCI-FI FRANCHISE The Matrix will return for a fourth film with Keanu Reeves reprising his role as kung fu-kicking, shades-wearing hero Neo, studio Warner Bros has confirmed.
Lana Wachowski will helm the project, returning to write, direct and produce the latest installment of the hugely popular series about humans trapped in a virtual reality by machines, which has netted more than $1.6 billion worldwide.
“We could not be more excited to be re-entering The Matrix with Lana,” studio chairman Toby Emmerich said in a statement sent to AFP.
“Lana is a true visionary — a singular and original creative filmmaker,” he added.
Lana and her sister Lilly directed the original trilogy.
Warner Bros did not specify if the new film would be a direct sequel, saying only that it was “set in the world of The Matrix,” and did not give a release date.
The original films followed a band of rebels who battled intelligent machines in a future where humans are enslaved within the Matrix — a virtual reality that resembles the contemporary world.
Reeves’ Neo was a hero on a mission to save mankind.
The dark fantasy featured a mix of pseudo-eastern philosophy and Western mythology, spectacular fight scenes and lavish special effects.
“Many of the ideas Lilly and I explored 20 years ago about our reality are even more relevant now,” said Lana Wachowski.
“I’m very happy to have these characters back in my life and grateful for another chance to work with my brilliant friends.”
Carrie-Anne Moss will also return to her role as Trinity, the studio said.
The original film turns 20 this year, with special screenings planned in the US later this month.
The third film in the series, The Matrix Revolutions (2003), was the first film to be released simultaneously around the world at the same hour.
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The first movie had a profound effect on our culture I believe. Even though it was an amalgamation of many other movies, Manga, Philosophy, goth culture and Anime, it was all so well packaged together for people who had no idea about these sub cultures.
…..then the other two movies happened!
@IrishFreeSpeechParty: The animatrix series was excellent too. That said the sentinels attack on zion was tremendous to watch in the cinema.
https://youtu.be/plU2LPrH1_o
@Clifford Brennan: Animatrix has sick, I was enthralled by it when I was a teen.
@IrishFreeSpeechParty: The Matrix Reloaded was an incredible movie, well I though so.
Awesome
Don’t know what they’re talking about. There is no two sequels to The Matrix. This is going to be the first one.
@sequoia: I don’t know what you are talking about. Is this meant to be funny? Besides the awful sequel movies there was the prequel/sequel animatix and the video game sequel.
@Craic_a_tower:
Hear that whooshing sound?
@sequoia: It just wasn’t funny or even correct English
@Craic_a_tower:
It’s an anonymous internet comment about a movie dude.
Relax, I’m not going for the Pulitzer here.
@sequoia:
The Guardian won it, you have a chance.
@Maurice: Brilliant!! Well done.
First matrix is one of my favourites of all time. V for Vendetta was good but the rest of the wachowski movies have not been good at all especially the matrix sequels. I think they should be involved in the project but have someone else write/direct
@finbarr quirke:
Loves the ass kicking in the second one but the third one was hard watching I thought. The freeway scene on the Ducati’s was savage in the second one. I agree though, the original is a classic.
@finbarr quirke: Sense8 is a pretty good wachowki series on Netflix.
@Sean: started watching but was told it got cancelled and ended horribly
Duuuuude
@Sean Lynch:
Duuuuuuude!
Great news I watched john wick 3 only last week and I actually wondered would they ever make another matrix as a computer programmer theres noting like seeing binary floating around the tv screen in a brilliant film like the Matrix. Keanue Reeves has had his share of bad unfortunate luck in his life I am glad that he has become one brilliant actor and he is reviving neo and trinity. Cant wait.
@Jmc: Neeeeerrrrrdddd!
@Ciarán O’ Donoghue: ya a wealthy nerddddddd
@Jmc: not sure there was ever any binary in it. The matrix was based on backwards and upside down English numbers and letters as far as I remember
Not sure how they plan to revive two characters who pretty blatantly died… is this the ‘it was all a dream’ play?
@Jmc: the director of John wick was a stunt double for keanu in the matrix
@Jmc: What’s your address??
The Matrix followed the digital life of Roman Emperor Nero as he sought to liberate his people from the digital armies of the Christians
He must be hard up for money
@Francis Crudden: v v v unlikely. Very
@Francis Crudden: we’ve found the one person on the internet who does not like Keanau??
@IrishFreeSpeechParty: and the one person who can’t spell his name!
@IrishFreeSpeechParty:
Aul Keanu appears to be one of the soundest lads that ever came out of Hollywood. Has an amazing/tragic story that has shaped him. Absolute legend of a dude.
@Hello DAVE!: I know auto correct is shocking nowdays!
@Francis Crudden: He donates the majority of his earnings to charity as it is
@Francis Crudden: its plausable seeing as he gives most of it away to charities.
@Nollaig Elliot: it’s also not uncommon to see him on the Subway in NY. No fancy cars, no bodyguards just a normal Joe like everyone else. (Except everyone else doesn’t have about 200 million sitting in their Bank account :) )
@Peter Cavey: neither does he , ever since the second matrix movie he has spread his earnings ($20m +1% of profits on the matrix sequels) among every single person on the credits that work behind the camera , he has changed people’s lives
@Francis Crudden:
Almost universally admired
Donates 70% of his salary to charity
Owns a motorbike company
Does most of his own stunts
Signed on as the lead in a movie so his stunt double could get a directorial debut (John Wick)
Took a pay cut so a production could afford Al Pacino
Happily stays in the rain to meet & greet fans & sign autographs
Poses for photos with obvious “hover hands” with fans
Set up a kids cancer charity and keeps his name away from it
Had an diverted landing in a plane & used his fame & influence to get rides to the proper destination for all the other passengers
What’s not to like about he guy?
@sequoia:
And to add to all that, he was one of the stars of the original Point break. What’s not to like is right.
@colm connolly: think I’ll try and be an extra on the next movie so!
@Nollaig Elliot:
“Original” Point Break??
I know of no other version
@Francis Crudden: Matrix trilogy has grossed 1.2 billion alone. The devils advocate, constantine speed 1 2 his films have earned him millions and what he does for charity is second to none hes an absolute gentleman always has time for his fans always.
Even in the Graham norton show he showed what type of a person he is in real life a pure down to earth good human being who has suffered severe depression due to tragic losses.
Seriously? NERO? Ffs XD
Never knew it was directed by females
@The Guru: it wasn’t, they are trans identified males.
Take the blue pill
The End.
“Sister”?
If Neo can be brought back to life, then there is still hope for Ironman!
Love this beautiful man
Cheers Journal, that’s the boxset sorted for the weekend so…
Every beginning has an end.
I know kung fu
@Warren Collier: No u fu kung dont
I can see this not happening very easily.
@Liam Byrne: what makes you say that? There was obviously big money in the first 3, great motivation to do a fourth
@Liam Byrne: In the last couple years Reeves has had an unbelievable revival to his career, I think the studio will do everything possible to make this happen.
First one was the best. Just leave it alone.
have your say