In 1999, a high-budget sci-fi film starring Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Laurence Fishburne changed the way we looked at our increasingly connected world. The fluorescent-lit cyber thriller followed a computer hacker named Neo (aka “The One”), who discovered that all life on Earth was little more than an elaborate simulation created by an artificial intelligence that had enslaved all of humanity in the not-so-distant future. Simply put, The Matrix forever altered the lives of filmgoers, fashion enthusiasts, and futurists alike. Replete with copious battle scenes, leather trench coats, and a classic Christ myth-turned-neverending love story, it quickly became the benchmark comparison for anything involving shiny black latex. You can’t make something that looks even remotely like The Matrix without being ready to talk about, well, The Matrix.
Which is why it comes as a surprise that Warner Bros. announced yesterday that the original film — The Matrix later spawned two widely panned, mostly incomprehensible sequels — is getting a reboot.
It’s still unclear what shape the project will take. The Hollywood Reporter says that Warner Bros. is in the early stages of developing the relaunch, and while Michael B. Jordan is in talks to play a lead, a lot of writing needs to happen before anything can be confirmed.
The Wachowski siblings, who wrote and directed the original trilogy, are not involved as of yet. Though interestingly, in the case of another sci-fi classic reboot, Blade Runner 2049 — which is gearing up for release later this year — the original director, Ridley Scott, signed on as an executive producer.
When The Matrix made its debut, Warner Bros. was doubtful that a movie with such bizarre comic book influences and fantastical plotlines would make much money. But the combination of a far-reaching story and never-before-seen special effects helped it become North America’s highest grossing R-rated film of 1999. It also won four Academy Awards.
While promoting his new movie John Wick: Chapter 2, original Matrix star Keanu Reeves said he would be open to returning for another film — but only if the Wachowskis were involved. “They would have to write it and direct it. And then we’d see what the story is, but yeah, I dunno, that’d be weird, but why not?” he told Yahoo Movies.
Credits
Text Jo Rosenthal
Images via Youtube