Warner Bros. has announced that a new ‘Matrix’ installment is in the works. Drew Goddard will write and direct ‘The Matrix 5.’ This will be the first ‘Matrix’ film not directed by a Wachowski. No casting or plot details were revealed.
“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,” Jesse Ehrman, Warner Bros. Motion Pictures President of Production, said in a press 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 is best known for directing “The Cabin in the Woods” and “Bad Times at the El Royale”. He’s also writing Ridley Scott’s next film, a western. He previously penned “Cloverfield,” “World War Z,” and “The Matrix.” Prior to that, he was known for his TV work, writing episodes for “Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” “Alias,” and “Lost.”
The ‘Matrix’ franchise is coming off 2021’s bewildering “The Matrix Resurrections”, which cost $190 million to make, and only grossed $37 million domestically. It didn’t help that the film was extremely divisive, earning a “B-” audience survey ranking from Cinemascore and a 63% on Rotten Tomatoes.
‘Resurrections’ was a polarizing, and unnecessary sequel. I’m not entirely sure how it even got greenlit. Did Warner Bros even read the script before the giving the go ahead? It practically destroyed the franchise, and that seemed to be the main goal of the film — to destroy everything that came before it. No wonder Wachowski is out and Goddard is in.
The “Matrix” franchise, including “The Matrix,” “The Matrix Reloaded,” “The Matrix Revolutions,” has earned $1.8 billion globally. The 1999 original, led by Keanu Reeves, is still, far and away, the best and most essential one.
As for the Wachowskis, they’ve split up. The last film they directed together was 2015's “Jupiter Ascending”. I’m not entirely sure what Lana is up to, but Lily is set to direct an indie film titled “Trash Mountain.”
The ‘Smile’ franchise has a new director. David Bruckner, who made “The Night House” and the 2022 “Hellraiser” reboot, has been hired to direct “Smile 3” for Paramount.