According to Variety, Lana Wachowski, Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Ann Moss have all signed on to head back into The Matrix. Wachowski will write and direct the film (collaborating on a script written by Aleksander Hemon and David Mitchell), while Reeves and Moss will star (obviously). As of this writing there's no title, so we're just gonna call it The Matrix 4 until we have one.
Says Warner Bros. Picture Group chairman Toby Emmerich:
“We could not be more excited to be re-entering The Matrix with Lana. 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.”
Says Lana Wachowski:
“Many of the ideas Lilly and I explored 20 years ago about our reality are even more relevant now. I’m very happy to have these characters back in my life and grateful for another chance to work with my brilliant friends.”
Well. This is a lot to process. Rumors of a new Matrix movie have circulated for months now, but we honestly thought nothing would come of them. The idea of a fourth Matrix film directed by one of the Wachowskis and featuring two of its original stars, basically seemed too good to be true. Apparently not.
There's no telling what The Matrix 4 might be about, who else might join the cast, when it might arrive (though Variety does note that the intention is to begin shooting the film early next year), but rest assured knowing that we're keeping a very close eye on this one, and will keep you heavily informed as further updates roll in.
Until then, let's recklessly speculate on what the hell this movie might be in the comments below.