20 years after The Matrix first hit cinema screens, the iconic sci-fi franchise is reloading with original stars Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss in front of the camera.
It’s been twenty years (we know) since Keanu Reeves gave the world the gift of Neo, the kung fu-fighting, shades-wearing, bullet-dodging hero from the iconic sci-fi film The Matrix.
Now, in what’s quite possibly the biggest and best film news to emerge out of 2019 so far, The Matrix is officially reloading for a fourth chapter.
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As reported in Variety, a third sequel to the original 1999 film is in the works at Warner Bros Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures.
Excitingly, Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss are set to reprise their roles as Neo and Trinity in the new blockbuster.
The franchise is in safe hands too, as one of the co-creators of the original trilogy, Lana Wachowski, who famously worked on the first three films with her sister Lilly, has signed up to write, direct and produce the film.
“We could not be more excited to be re-entering The Matrix with Lana,” said Warner Bros Picture Group chairman Toby Emmerich.
“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”.
The Matrix told the story of Neo, a computer programmer who discovers that humans are trapped and used as an energy source inside a virtual reality known as the Matrix, and that he is the hero who has been destined to liberate them from their fate.
It was followed by two sequels, The Matrix Reloaded (2003) and The Matrix Revolutions (2003), which earned a combined total of more than $1.6bn (£1.3bn) at the global box office.
“Many of the ideas Lilly and I explored 20 years ago about our reality are even more relevant now,” Lana told Variety.
“I’m very happy to have these characters back in my life and grateful for another chance to work with my brilliant friends.”
There’s no word on a release date yet, but studio bosses say cameras will roll early next year. In the meantime, ahead of The Matrix’s 20th anniversary, AMC Theatres have also announced a week-long run of the film, beginning on 30 August.
Images: Warner Bros
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