Neo and Trinity, the characters played by Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss in the MATRIX films, were killed off in the third film of the initial trilogy – but somehow Reeves and Moss are back in action for THE MATRIX 4, which was in the midst of production when the pandemic lockdown hit.
There's no official word on just how their characters are returning, but during an interview with Empire the actors discussed why they have come back for another sequel, with both heaping praise on the screenplay director Lana Wachowski wrote with Aleksandar Hemon and David Mitchell.
Reeves said Wachowski
wrote a beautiful script and a wonderful story that resonated with me. That’s the only reason to do it. To work with her again is just amazing. It’s been really special, and the story has, I think, some meaningful things to say, and that we can take some nourishment from."
Moss never expected to be asked back for another MATRIX, but said this project has
incredible depth and all of the integrity and artistry that you could imagine."
Reeves and Moss are joined in the cast by Jada Pinkett Smith, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jessica Henwick, Neil Patrick Harris, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Eréndira Ibarra, Jonathan Groff, Andrew Caldwell, Ellen Hollman, Brian J. Smith, Max Riemelt, and Chris Sean Reid.
Lambert Wilson was facing scheduling issues when he was asked to reprise the role of data smuggler The Merovingian, a chacter he played in THE MATRIX RELOADED and THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS. It's not clear if he was able to sign on for THE MATRIX 4.
Lana Wachowski and her sister Lilly Wachowski wrote and directed the three previous films together, but Lilly seems to be sitting this one out entirely. Lana is producing the film with Grant Hill.
Warner Bros. had scheduled a May 21, 2021 release for THE MATRIX 4. It's not yet known if it will have to be pushed back due to the lockdown.
