The Matrix 5 is moving forward with a new filmmaker at the helm, with the Wachowski Sisters neither writing nor directing the upcoming installment.

SUMMARY

 Drew Goddard is working on The Matrix 5 , which will be the first franchise entry not written or directed by one of the Wachowski Sisters.
 Lana Wachowski will be an executive producer on the sequel.
 No plot details for The Matrix 5 have been released, but it could be best for the franchise to start fresh and move beyond Neo and Trinity.

The Matrix 5 is moving forward without the Wachowski Sisters as a new filmmaker takes the reins for the franchise.

After the success of the acclaimed 1999 film starring Keanu Reeves, the world of the hit sci-fi franchise lived on in four sequels, the most recent of which hit theaters in 2021.

The Matrix Resurrections was met with mixed reviews, and it’s been unclear where the franchise will go next.

Per a new report from THR, The Matrix 5 is moving forward with Drew Goddard at the helm.

Goddard is best known for writing World War Z and The Martian, and it’s said that he approached Warner Bros.

with an idea for a new film. Lana Wachowski will serve as an executive producer on the sequel, but no story details have been released just yet.

The THR report includes a comment from Warner Bros. executive Jesse Ehrman about the project, which is included below:

“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.

The entire team at Warner Bros. Discovery is thrilled for Drew to be making his new Matrix film, adding his vision to the cinematic canon the Wachowskis’ spent a quarter of a century building here at the studio.”

The Matrix remains one of the most revered science fiction franchises ever made, but how do the movies rank against each other after Resurrections?

Should The Matrix 5 Be A Total Reboot?

Why The Matrix Sequels Prove It’s Time For A New Direction

While 1999’s The Matrix remains one of the most beloved sci-fi films ever made, the sequels proved much more divisive.

After The Matrix Reloaded in 2003, the story of Neo and Trinity seemingly ended in the poorly-received The Matrix Revolutions that same year.

Both Reeves and Trinity actor Carrie-Anne Moss reprised their roles, however, for The Matrix Resurrections.

That film, which was directed only by Lana Wachowski, was a significant box office flop, and it seemingly served as the final nail in the franchise’s coffin.

Title
Rotten Tomatoes Critics’ Score
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score

The Matrix (1999)
83%
85%

The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
74%
72%

The Matrix Revolutions (2003)
34%
60%

The Matrix Resurrections (2021)
63%
63%

With the previous film not only being a failure critically, but also proving quite divisive with audiences, it does seem like the perfect opportunity to wipe the slate clean and start fresh.

With the story of Neo and Trinity now over, Goddard’s film can introduce a new protagonist and explore a new aspect of the world that the Wachowskis created.

While Ehrman’s comment about The Matrix 5 is somewhat vague, it sounds like this might be exactly what the upcoming film will be doing.

While Reeves has previously cast doubt on The Matrix 5 happening, he did say that ” he’s in ” regarding a potential return as Neo in the future.

Due to his role as John Wick, Reeves is arguably more popular than ever, but it just doesn’t feel like there’s anywhere left for Neo to go.

It’s possible that he could return in more of a supporting capacity, but it’s also unclear when the new movie will take place in the larger Matrix franchise timeline.

The new movie, for example, could take place long before or after Neo’s time.

Many questions remain about The Matrix 5, but it’s certainly exciting that a new take on a beloved franchise is on the way from a fresh voice.