Drew Goddard Writing and Directing ‘The Matrix 5’

Keanu Reeves in ‘The Matrix’. Photo: Warner Bros.

Preview:

A fifth ‘Matrix’ movie is in the works.
Drew Goddard, who made ‘The Cabin in the Woods’ is writing and directing.
There is no release date yet.

‘The Matrix’ is 25 years old this year, and if that makes a portion of our audience feel like they should be crumbling into dust, join the club: we’ve had dust jackets made. The three original movies (‘The Matrix’, ‘The Matrix Reloaded’ and ‘The Matrix Revolutions’) are still considered landmark genre entries.

So it’s perhaps the perfect year to announce that a new ‘Matrix’ movie is in the works, which might yet come as a surprise given the lackluster box office of 2021’s ‘The Matrix Resurrections’ (not helped by its day-and-date release on streaming service Max).

For the first time, though, neither of the Wachowskis who crafted the original trilogy (with Lana Wachowski stepping back up to make ‘Resurrections alone) are writing or directing this one.

Instead, the new movie will be created by ‘The Martian’ writer and ‘The Cabin in the Woods’ filmmaker Drew Goddard, with Lana Wachowski on board to executive produce.

What’s the story of ‘The Matrix 5’?

(L to R) Carrie-Anne Moss and Keanu Reeves in ‘The Matrix’. Photo: Warner Bros.

Right now, to no-one’s particular surprise, the storyline is being kept a secret. All that featured in the news release about the movie is Warner Bros. Motion Pictures president of production Jesse Ehrman teasing that the story will advance the fantasy world without straying too far from what made the series a success.

Also unknown at this time? Who from the various movies’ casts (particularly veterans Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss) will return, if any.

‘The Matrix 5’: The Filmmakers Speak

Laurence Fishburne as Morpheus in ‘The Matrix.’ Photo: Warner Bros.

Here’s Ehrman’s statement on the new development:

“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. 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.”

And Goddard also seems enthused:

“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.”

Goddard, of course, also brought us ‘Bad Times at the El Royale’ and wrote memorable genre entries including ‘Cloverfield’ and ‘World War Z’.

When will the new ‘Matrix’ movie be in theaters?

Warner Bros. hasn’t said yet when it might release the new movie. Of course, it might have been good to have it ready for this year’s 25th anniversary, but that’s not happening.