The Matrix 5 Is Officially Happening with Drew Goddard Writing and Directing

Warner Bros. announced today that a brand new Matrix movie is in the works without the directors of the previous movies, Lana and Lily Wachowski.

This new chapter in the dystopian cyberpunk franchise will see Drew Goddard, known for his work on Cabin in the Woods and The Martian, taking on the roles of both writer and director.

The potential cast for the new movie remains a mystery; it's too early to tell whether Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss will reprise their roles, although Reeves has expressed interest in revisiting the franchise.

There are no plot details for the new movie at this stage; however, according to Warner Bros. Motion Pictures president of production Jesse Ehrman, the movie will expand the Matrix universe without straying too far from what made the franchise a success.

“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,” Ehrman said in a statement. “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.”

Goddard seems to love the franchise, and his statement sounds like the movies profoundly impacted his career: “It is not hyperbole to say ‘The Matrix’ films changed both cinema and my life,” Goddard said. 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.

The filmmaker will also produce the new movie alongside his partner, Sarah Esberg, via Goddard Textiles. Lana Wachowski, who directed the most recent Matrix instalment, is on board as an executive producer.

Fans will naturally hope to see Reeves and Moss reprise their roles as Neo and Trinity after the characters have been a cornerstone of all four of the existing Matrix movies.

Interestingly, Laurence Fishburne was not asked to return as the iconic Morpheus for the last outing, The Matrix Resurrections. Instead, the producers opted to have Morpheus recast for Resurrections with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II.

The original movie in the series The Matrix, released in 1999, was written and directed by the Wachowskis. Its story follows computer programmer Thomas Anderson, under the hacker alias 'Neo', who discovers the truth about his world and joins a rebellion to fight against the machines who have enslaved humanity.

We will keep you updated with all The Matrix 5 news as it becomes available.