Drew Goddard’s New Matrix Movie Reportedly Set to Bring Back Key Franchise Star

Warner Bros. Discovery is bringing a new chapter to the Matrix universe, and Drew Goddard, known for directing Bad Times at the El Royale, is set to lead the project. The new Matrix movie has fans wondering if this will be a reboot, a spin-off, or a continuation of the story we already know.

What’s clear is that the hope is for the franchise to bounce back after some recent mixed reactions.

The original Matrix came out in 1999 and was a huge hit, praised by critics and fans alike. Its sequels, The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions released in 2003, didn’t quite get the same love. Then in 2021, Lana Wachowski returned (without her sister Lilly) to direct The Matrix Resurrections, which also had a tough time winning over fans.

The latest rumors come from scooper Daniel Richtman, who shared that “The idea is to have Keanu Reeves back for the next Matrix movie.” This suggests Neo’s story isn’t over yet.

Earlier rumors talked about a reboot starring Michael B. Jordan, but having Reeves return might be exactly what the fans want. Continuing the story with a familiar face and a fresh vision could be the key to bringing the franchise back to life.

Drew Goddard himself shared his excitement about working on the film, saying, “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.”

Jesse Ehrman, Warner Bros. Motion Pictures President of Production, also praised Goddard’s involvement. He said, “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.”

He added, “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.”

Back when the original trilogy was being made, the Wachowskis told their collaborators that they didn’t plan on making another Matrix movie after The Matrix Revolutions. In 2015, Lilly Wachowski even called the idea of returning to the Matrix “particularly repelling” because studios tend to favor sequels and reboots over new stories. Lana Wachowski later said she believed the studio might want to continue the series without them.

Over the years, both Keanu Reeves and Hugo Weaving expressed interest in returning to their roles, but only if the Wachowskis were involved. Lana did return to direct the fourth movie, but Lilly was not involved.

After Resurrections was released, producer James McTeigue said there were no current plans for more Matrix films but left the door open, mentioning the movie’s open ending.

The new Matrix movie with Drew Goddard will be the first one not directed by the Wachowski sisters, though Lana will be an executive producer. The project was officially announced in April 2024 after Goddard pitched his idea to Warner Bros.

Before this, Warner Bros. had been thinking about rebooting the franchise for a while. In 2017, there were talks about a Matrix TV series, but the idea was dropped in favor of a new film. At that time, Michael B. Jordan was rumored to be the star, and Zak Penn was working on a treatment. Penn later clarified that his work was set within the original story’s timeline, not a reboot.

Warner Bros. also considered different storylines, like a prequel about a young Morpheus or a story about his descendants. By 2018, the script was still in early development. Jordan later said he was flattered by the rumors but didn’t confirm anything.

Now, with Goddard on board and Reeves expected to return, the Matrix universe is gearing up for a fresh start. Fans can look forward to seeing how this new movie connects to the story they know and whether it will bring back the magic of the original.

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