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Devoted Matrix fans glitched in response to the announcement that the cyberpunk movie franchise was greenlit with a new installment without its original directors.
The first Matrix film debuted in 1999 and spawned three sequels: The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions in 2003, and The Matrix Resurrections in 2021.
The Wachowskis, who include sibling creatives Lana and Lilly Wachowski, wrote and directed the first three Matrix films.
The fourth film, Matrix Resurrections, came after an 18-year gap following the first two sequels. It was directed by Lana after Lilly turned down the project, and was considered a box-office flop and the worst installment in the franchise by fans.
Last week, Warner Bros. announced a fifth film was in development without either Lana or Lilly Wachowski attached as directors.
The studio said that Matrix 5 will be directed by The Martian screenwriter Drew Goddard, who will also pen the script for the newest sequel film and serve as producer with his partner at Goddard Textiles, Sarah Esberg.
Lana Wachowski was named an executive producer on the fourth sequel.
News of the development didn't resonate with fans.
The Matrix purists thought there was no need to go down that rabbit hole again.
@Variety This series has become irrelevant and boring. With most everything, Hollywood has ruined what was once a great story.— (@)
Yet all hope is not lost.
Warner Bros. Motion Pictures president of production Jesse Ehrman said of Goddard's involvement in the upcoming sequel:
“Drew came to Warner Bros. with a new idea that we all believe would be an incredible way to continue the Matrix world, by both honoring what Lana and Lilly began over 25 years ago and offering a unique perspective based on his own love of the series and characters."
Ehrman added in the statement:
“The entire team at Warner Bros. Discovery is thrilled for Drew to be making this new ‘Matrix’ film, adding his vision to the cinematic canon the Wachowskis’ spent a quarter of a century building here at the studio.”
Goddard, who wrote and directed The Cabin in the Woods and Bad Times at the El Royale, expressed his enthusiasm for the project and said:
“It is not hyperbole to say ‘The Matrix’ films changed both cinema and my life."
“Lana and Lilly’s exquisite artistry inspires me on a daily basis, and I am beyond grateful for the chance to tell stories in their world.”
Because it is still early in development, plot details for the new sequel are scarce, as is confirmation on whether or not Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie Anne-Moss, Hugo Weaving, and Jada Pinkett-Smith will reprise their roles from the franchise.
There is no release date set yet.