There is often complains from the moviegoing public that Hollywood isn’t dealing in original ideas enough these days and that they are a little reboot happy. Hollywood may have gone too far this time. It looks like, as hard as it may be to believe, Warner Bros. is actually looking at doing a reboot or “relaunch” ofThe Matrix. Yes. This is happening.
Brace yourselves, because this news is coming from a very reliable source and though the project is in the very early stages, it most definitely appears to be a real thing. According toThe Hollywood ReporterWarner Bros. is in talk withZak Pennto write a treatment forMatrix 4. THR made it clear that they don’t know what shape the project will take, specifically using the word “relaunch.” It could be a full-on reboot, a sequel, or a requel, if you will. Something in between. Either way, this is something fans may need to come to terms with. Warner Bros. is pretty brave, given thatThe Matrixis one of the most beloved andiconic sci-fi moviesever made. And that may be putting it lightly.
As THR also notes, many folks at Warner Bros viewThe Matrixas a property that probably shouldn’t be messed with, on par with such classics likeCasablanca. But, you know, with groundbreaking special effects andKeanu Reevesduking it out withHugo Weaving. Still, that hasn’t been enough to keep those at the studio who feel this is a good idea and that there is money to be made from getting this reboot moving. Even if it is pretty early on in the process. According to THR, they studio is possibly eyeingCreedstarMichael B. Jordanfor the lead, but a lot would need to happen before those talks could really even begin.
Interestingly enough, it was producerJoel Silverwho brought this idea to Warner Bros. He producedThe Matrix, but sold his stake in thesci-fi trilogyfor $30 million in 2012. Even though he was the man who brought this idea to the table, the studio is wary about bringing him on board because he “not only has a reputation for budget-control issues, but apparently has a strained relationship with the Wachowskis.” Speaking of theWachowskis(Lana WachowskiandLilly Wachowski), they are not currently involved and what level they would be possibly involved is not yet determined. The siblings directed all threeMatrixmovies, so Warner Bros. would at the very least probably want them to sign off on it, rather than make waves. It will be hard enough as is to get the general public to accept this idea.
The Matrixis considered among the greatest accomplishments not only in sci-fi, but cinema in general. The sequels were not nearly as well received by either fans or critics and the series didn’t conclude in a satisfying way, but still. Messing with this legacy is a risky prospect. As forKeanu Reeves? During the press tour forJohn Wick: Chapter 2he discussed the idea of possibly reprising his role in anotherMatrixmovie (possiblyThe Matrix 4) and was open to it, but only under the right circumstances. Here is what he had to say in an interview with Yahoo.
“They would have to write it and direct it. And then we’d see what the story is, but yeah, I dunno, that’d be weird, but why not?”
Fans may not have the same “why not?” attitude thatReeveshas about it, but Warner Bros. owns the rights and franchises mean big money. So if they can relaunch orreboot The Matrixsuccessfully, that could be a major cash cow. They are reportedly looking to what Disney and Lucasfilm have done withStar Warsfor inspiration. We can file that part of this whole thing in the “obvious” folder. Though, the report does say that the idea of aMatrixTV show has been taken off the table and that Warner Bros. could be looking to explore “the hidden corners of the universe with movies such asRogue One: A Star Wars Story.” There is still a lot that needs to be worked out and this ultimately could fall apart, but there is a very real possibility thatThe Matrixwill be getting the reboot treatment in the relatively near future. You’ve been warned.
