Keanu Reeves didn’t know ‘The Matrix’ was an allegory about transgender people. But he thought it was ‘cool’

Keanu Reeves has acknowledged he did not know “The Matrix” was a transgender allegory but says he thinks it’s “cool” the film’s director Lilly Wachowski has shared this with fans.

the matrix reloaded keanu reeves


Keanu Reeves reprised his role as Neo in “The Matrix Reloaded.”Warner Bros

Keanu Reeves says he did not know “The Matrix” was a transgender allegory but thinks it’s “cool” the film’s director Lilly Wachowski has revealed it to fans.
“I never spoke to Lilly about that. She never conveyed that to me,” Reeves said during an interview with Yahoo Entertainment. “I think the ‘Matrix’ films are profound, and I think that allegorically, a lot of people in different versions of the film can speak to that, and for Lilly to come out and share that with us, I think is cool.”

Asked whether transgender themes would continue into the making of “The Matrix 4,” Reeves said: “I don’t know. I think it’ll be open to interpretation.”

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“I never spoke to Lilly about that. She never conveyed that to me,” Reeves said during an interview with Yahoo Entertainment.

“I think the ‘Matrix’ films are profound, and I think that allegorically, a lot of people in different versions of the film can speak to that, and for Lilly to come out and share that with us, I think is cool.”

Keanu Reeves spoke to Yahoo! Entertainment
Reeves spoke with Yahoo Entertainment. Yahoo! Entertainment

Earlier this month during an interview with Netflix Film Club, Wachowski confirmed popular fan theories that the “Matrix” trilogy, which she wrote and directed with her sister Lana Wachowski, was indeed a transgender allegory.

“I’m glad that people are talking about the ‘Matrix’ movies with a trans narrative,” the filmmaker said.

“I love how meaningful those films are to trans people and the way that they come up to me say, ‘Those movies saved my life.'”

The “Matrix” movies are some of the most popular and successful sci-fi films in history, with the three films combined grossing over $1.6 billion, and last year the original “Matrix” film celebrated its 20th anniversary with a theatrical return to cinemas.

Asked whether transgender themes would continue to inform the highly anticipated “Matrix 4,” which Lana Wachowski is directing solo and is set for a 2022 release, Reeves said: “I don’t know — I think it’ll be open to interpretation.”

The 55-year-old actor recently returned to work on the new “Matrix” film in Berlin after production was shut down in February because of the coronavirus pandemic.

During an interview with the Associated Press, Reeves, who plays the role of Neo in the dystopian films, praised the way in which the production had been reopened.

“There’s some really thoughtful, effective protocols in place,” he said.

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Later this month Reeves will revisit another popular sci-fi franchise with “Bill & Ted Face the Music” hitting streaming sites.

The film will follow Reeves and his costar Alex Winter as they try to find a song that will save the Earth.