‘Matrix 4’ a Go at Warner with Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss and Lana Wachowski

Studio announces it has greenlit a new entry in ‘The Matrix’ film franchise, with production set to begin in early 2020.

One of the world’s most iconic and ground-breaking VFX-driven science fiction franchises is back in play – Variety has just reported that Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures are set to produce Matrix 4, with Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss returning in the roles of Neo and Trinity. Lana Wachowski will write and direct the fourth film in The Matrix franchise, with production slated to begin early 2020. Warner Bros. Picture Group chairman Toby Emmerich announced the greenlight on Aug 20.

“We could not be more excited to be re-entering ‘The Matrix’ with Lana,” Emmerich told Variety. “Lana is a true visionary—a singular and original creative filmmaker—and we are thrilled that she is writing, directing and producing this new chapter in The Matrix universe.”

Writing the script along with Wachowski are Aleksandar Hemon and David Mitchell. Wachowski is also producing with Grant Hill.

“Many of the ideas Lilly and I explored 20 years ago about our reality are even more relevant now,” Wachowski noted. “I’m very happy to have these characters back in my life and grateful for another chance to work with my brilliant friends.”

Reeves of course is coming off two big films this year, reprising the role of a dapper, unstoppable assassin in John Wick 3 and voicing the role of Canadian motorcycle daredevil Duke Caboom in Pixar’s Toy Story 4. He also turned heads in a hilarious role as himself, complete with lens-less glasses, as Ali Wong’s fleeting love-interest in the romantic comedy, Always Be My Maybe.

The Matrix, released in 1999, introduced the world to the famous “Bullet Time” photographic visual effects sequences, harnessing computer graphics technology in a way never before seen on screen and garnering John Gaeta with an best visual effects Oscar. In total, the three Matrix franchise films generated over $1.6 billion at the box office, and spawned a number of comic books, video games and animated short films including The Animatrix anthology in 2003.

Source: Variety