Warner Bros. is at it again, working on a new “Matrix” film. This time, there won’t be a Wachowski directing. Instead, Drew Goddard takes over.
Although “Matrix Resurrections” admittedly attempted to turn its own (film) laws upside down or directly suspend them with quite innovative ideas, many fans of the previous “Matrix” trilogy couldn’t help but see it merely as a literal reboot of the groundbreaking sci-fi action series. It took 18 years for director Lana Wachowski to create what she deemed a worthy legacy sequel. Yet, it left a taste of having taken the easy way out with her latest contribution to the “Matrix” universe.
Even the fourth “Matrix” film had to do without Lilly Wachowski, who preferred to take time for herself. When asked if “Matrix Resurrections” would mark the beginning of a completely new trilogy, Lana Wachowski responded with a clear “No.” She was right: “Matrix 5” is now unexpectedly coming, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. But without the direct involvement of the Wachowskis (Lana Wachowski will only serve as an executive producer) and apparently without connection to the previous characters around Neo (Keanu Reeves) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss).
Instead, a genre pro takes on the role of the architect, so to speak: Drew Goddard may be familiar to film fans for his screenplays for movies like “World War Z,” “Cloverfield,” and “The Martian,” and for series like “Daredevil” and “Lost.” The 49-year-old made his directorial debut with the entertaining meta-horror “Cabin in the Woods,” which surprisingly had to spend several years on the shelf before being unleashed upon the world. It was faster for “Bad Times at the El Royale,” a thriller gem par excellence.
While there are currently no details about the plot, Jesse Ehrman, President of Production at Warner, stated in a press release that this time a completely new direction will be taken:
“Drew [Goddard] came to Warner Bros. with a new idea that we believe offers an incredible way to continue the world of ‘Matrix,’ honoring what Lana and Lilly [Wachowski] began over 25 years ago, but also offering a unique perspective based on his own love for the franchise and the characters. The entire Warner Bros. Discovery team is excited for Drew to tackle his new ‘Matrix’ film and add his vision to the cinematic canon that the Wachowskis have built here at the studio over the past quarter-century.”
“Matrix 5”: Will Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss be missing this time? So, “Matrix 5” is set to take a completely new direction and explore ideas that expand the “Matrix” universe. This also means that the focus will most likely shift away from Neo and Trinity and toward entirely new characters. This is essentially the only way to give new impulses to the over 30-year-old sci-fi action series. Anything else would just be another déjà vu. Only cameo appearances would be conceivable in this context. So, one can be curious about the first story details. Goddard himself is aware of his responsibility:
“It’s no exaggeration to say that the ‘Matrix’ films have changed both cinema and my own life. Lana and Lilly’s exquisite craftsmanship inspires me daily – and I am more than grateful for the opportunity to tell stories in their world.”
Stories? Is this perhaps an initial indication that “Matrix 5” might tell multiple interconnected stories and thus be associated with Hyperlink Cinema à la “Pulp Fiction” and “Chungking Express”?
If you’re now inclined to (re)watch the entire “Matrix” quadrilogy, the films are currently available in the “Déjà Vu Collection” on Blu-ray on Amazon.
