Keanu Reeves appeared on ‘The Late Night With Stephen Colbert’ earlier this week and paid tribute to ‘The Matrix’ for its 25th anniversary. His message read:
“The Matrix changed my life and then, over these years, it’s changed so many other people’s lives in really positive and great ways. As an artist, you hope for that when you get to do a film or tell a story. And so, when you say these years, and the amount of people I’ve met who have said to me and been touched by The Matrix in such a positive way… It’s the best.”
The actor starred as Thomas Anderson/Neo in the franchise directed by the Wachowskis. He played a computer programmer discovering that his reality was a simulation controlled by sentient machines. The cast also featured Carrie-Anne Moss, Laurence Fishburne, and Hugo Weaving.
The Film Series Goes On
Reeves later reprised his role in three sequels, last of which, ‘The Matrix Resurrections,’ came out in 2021. Warner Bros. announced a fifth film in April.
This will be the franchise’s first installment not directed by the Wachowskis. Drew Goddard will take over their place, according to the WB executive Jesse Ehrman:
“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.”
Lana Wachowski will join the upcoming project as a producer this time. It’s unclear if Reeves and other original actors will return.