We’ve been hearing about a new installment in the Matrix franchise for some time now. Back in 2011 star Keanu Reeves said that sequels were being developed. Then in 2014 it was rumored that the next Matrix movies could be prequels. Then in 2017 came word that Warner Bros. was developing a reboot instead of sequels or prequels, which was followed a few days later by a denial of the reboot news from screenwriter Zak Penn, who had been hired to work on a new movie in the franchise at the time.

Things were quiet for a couple of years after that, but in August of this year it was confirmed that The Matrix 4 was finally becoming a reality with original stars Reeves and Carrie Ann Moss returning. Lana Wachowski, who wrote and directed the original trilogy with Lilly Wachowski, is also returning though it doesn’t appear that Lilly is involved at the moment.. And now, more casting has been announced. Last week Yahya Abdul-Mateen II was cast in the sequel, and this week Neil Patrick Harris signed on. Jada Pinkett Smith is also in talks to return.

Reeves reprises his role as Neo, while Moss will once again play Trinity. If a deal gets worked out Pinkett Smith would return as Niobe, who appeared in the second and third installments of the franchise, The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions.

Newcomer Abdul-Mateen II is set to play one of the new lead roles, though no details on his character have been shared yet. When The Matrix 4 was announced it was said that Morpheus—played in the original trilogy by Laurence Fishburne—could be a part of the story, but played by a younger actor. There are rumors that the young Morpheus could be Abdul-Mateen II’s role, though nothing has been confirmed yet. Who Harris is playing has also not yet been revealed.

Aleksandar Hemon and David Mitchell co-wrote the screenplay with Wachowski.

No release date for The Matrix 4 has been announced, but production is scheduled to begin in early 2020.

[Source: Variety: Pinkett Smith | Patrick Harris| Abdul-Mateen]

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