‘Matrix 4’: Keanu Reeves Gives Sequel Update Fans Have Been Waiting For
Over 20 years since The Matrix was released, longtime fans are eagerly awaiting the fourth installment of the beloved movie franchise. Reprising his lead role as Neo is actor Keanu Reeves. He has spoken about the upcoming sequel since it was officially confirmed last year but, like most film productions, development of The Matrix 4 has halted due to the coronavirus pandemic. Reeves recently spoke with reports on the status of the filming and gave an update.
What is ‘The Matrix’ franchise?
The Matrix was released in 1999, starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, and Carrie-Anne Moss.
Reeves’ character, Neo, discovers the hidden truth of the world — that intelligent machines have taken over and are using humans for their energy to power the world for them. He joins a group of rebels who hack the Matrix in an attempt to free humans from the grip of the machines with the eventual goal of overthrowing them and taking back the world.
A sequel, The Matrix Reloaded, was released in 2003. This second installment follows the group six months after the events of The Matrix. Neo and his comrades enter the Matrix to try to stop an onslaught of machines heading for their city. Neo eventually meets the creator of the Matrix, who gives him a choice between rebooting the Matrix and saving everyone or cause the Matrix to crash and destroy everything.
The third film in the franchise, The Matrix Revolutions, was also released in 2003, just six months after its predecessor. A fight occurs between those in charge of the Matrix and those trying to free the humans. Neo ultimately sacrifices himself to put an end to the war happening, but it’s revealed that Neo may not be gone for good.
What do we know about ‘Matrix 4’?
Despite stating they had no interest in rebooting the franchise following the completion of the original trilogy, creator Lana Wachowski began developing ideas for a fourth Matrix movie in 2017. It was officially announced in August 2019 by Warner Bros.
Filming for The Matrix 4 began in San Francisco on February 4, 2020, but was suspended in mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic causing film shut-downs. The film was originally slated to be released on May 21, 2021. Since the shut-downs, the release date has been pushed back to April 1, 2022, much to the dismay of fans.
Keanu Reeves recently gave an update on the state of ‘Matrix 4’
Filming for The Matrix 4 has resumed, this time in Berlin. Reeves recently spoke to the Associated Press to give an update on where the production is currently, and surprised many by saying that the pandemic hasn’t set the movie back further than originally anticipated.
Reeves said: “There are some really thoughtful, effective protocols in place, and the rhythm of filmmaking has been not really impacted or interrupted. I think everyone loves the project and if you’re ever going to get into any kind of situation that needs to be figured out or how do we do this, showbusiness people are the best. We’re scrappy, we know how to get stuff done, we’re inventive, we think on our feet, and that kind of kindred spirit of coming together, it goes back to like, ‘Let’s put on a show! We’ll get some props, we got some things…’ and that spirit is definitely alive and well on The Matrix.”
Fans were excited to hear the news that the film is continuing with its current revised released date and doesn’t have any immediate need to push things back even further.
