Summary

• The Wachowski sisters won't direct The Matrix 5 for the first time, instead the honor goes to Drew Goddard.
• Warner Bros confirmed The Matrix 5 in April 2024
• Jonathan Groff's Agent Smith could be the villain in The Matrix 5

The Matrix 5 has finally been announced, and the franchise is heading in a new direction after The Matrix: Resurrections. Released in 1999, The Matrix was a perfect cinematic representation of pre-millennium fear from the Wachowski sisters, and left an impression upon the sci-fi and action genres that has yet to fade. Characters, quotes, costumes, and concepts have all entered the cultural consciousness, and though 2003's sequels (The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions) failed to make the same impression, the trilogy remains a landmark piece of film history.

Despite unending rumors of a continuation or reboot, the Wachowskis staunchly resisted a fourth Matrix movie, but that inevitable announcement finally came in 2019. The Matrix Resurrections fell short of audience expectations when it premiered in 2021, and it was a financial disaster as well. While avoiding a cliffhanger, The Matrix Resurrections' ending is open-ended to a degree, and the overwhelming popularity of the recognizable franchise has inspired Warner Bros. to greenlight The Matrix 5.

The Matrix 5 Latest News

A Follow-Up To The Matrix Resurrections Is Announced

Though speculation abounded regarding a fifth movie in the cyberpunk franchise, the latest update confirms that Warner Bros. has green-lit The Matrix 5. While still in the very early stages of development, The Matrix 5 is already shaping up to be another major shift in the decades-old series. Instead of story details or a release date, the only information that has been revealed pertains to the director, and the Wachowski sisters will not be at the helm for the first time. Instead, World War Z director Drew Goddard will be in charge.

The Wachowski sisters will not be at the helm for the first time

The Matrix 5 Is Confirmed

Warner Bros. Announced The Sequel In April 2024

Though it took nearly 3 years for the announcement to come, Warner Bros. finally revealed plans for The Matrix 5 in April 2024. The announced sequel isn't particularly surprising considering the franchise's lucrative potential and The Matrix Resurrections was full of inside jokes about Warner's bigger hopes for the series. The only detail currently known about The Matrix 5 is that Drew Goddard is set to direct, marking the first time the Wachowski sisters weren't at the helm.

Stream The Matrix Resurrections on Max.

The Matrix 5 Cast

Neo & Trinity Could Return In The Matrix 5

After a relatively bloodless finale, it's possible that most of The Matrix Resurrections' cast could return for The Matrix 5. The tandem of Neo and Trinity is integral to the franchise, making Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss essential inclusions. Furthermore, Jonathan Groff's Smith would be the logical villain, and he could return as well. On uncertainty is Neil Patrick Harris' Analyst, and though he could return, he likely wouldn't be the main villain since he answers to a higher power. All of this is mere speculation though, since no cast have been announced.

The most logical cast of The Matrix 5 includes:

The Matrix 5 Story Details

Jonathan Groff's Agent Smith Could Become The Villain Of The Matrix 5

The Matrix Resurrections concludes with Neo and Trinity overcoming Neil Patrick Harris' Analyst, but The Matrix Resurrections leaves other threads dangling. For starters, Neo and Trinity declare their intention to reshape the Matrix into a more wholesome place - a future that carries storyline potential in itself. Additionally, it's clear the Analyst is answering to a higher Machine power (referred to as "the Suits"), and The Matrix Resurrections also hints human bluepills might have sided with the enemy, leaving a potential antagonist for The Matrix 5.

The most natural story continuation, however, would involve Jonathan Groff's Agent Smith. After helping out Neo and Trinity against The Analyst (a mutual enemy, apparently), Smith declares their uneasy alliance over and slinks off into the night. A roaming Smith isn't exactly conducive to a peaceful Matrix, and his new machinations could form part of a new story for The Matrix 5.