Despite its seemingly untouchable status (even given the disappointment of the sequels), rumours about movement on a new movie based on The Matrix have crackled around the wires for years. Now, according to The Hollywood Reporter, there is some forward movement, with Warner Bros. starting talks with writer Zak Penn to create a treatment.
At the moment, that's all that is happening – despite the trade mag's sources bringing word that Michael B. Jordan is the focus of chatter about a potential new leading man, nothing has been decided beyond working up some fresh ideas. And the shape of this thing is still embryonic, with no sign yet as to if it will attempt to reboot the universe or set up more sequels in the same world.
Siblings Lana and Lilly Wachowski, who created the original trilogy, are currently not involved; nor is Keanu Reeves, who was turned into an action icon through the story of a man discovering that the world is a computer-generated illusion wrought by machines to keep an enslaved human populace docile as they're used for energy. The combination of cutting-edge special effects, martial arts and philosophy became a sensation back in 1999, spawning the back-to back sequels Reloaded and Revolutions. The studio would at least want the Wachowskis to give their blessing. And while we're sure it would be delighted for Reeves – still kicking ass, albeit as John Wick – to return, he's said he'd only consider it if they were on board.
So for now, this will bubble away in development as various spin-off options are considered. Though Warners had been looking at a Matrix-based TV series recently, that idea is on hold while the film version is developed. Will anything happen this time? We'll see...
Read _Empire_s original 1999 Matrix interviews with Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne.