On one hand it seems logical that Warner Bros. would attempt to remake The Matrix, one of the most successful film franchises of all time. On the other hand, however, it seems like an impossible task given how iconic it has become. Well, as it turns out, screenwriter Zak Penn’s approach to the oppressive mechanized world of The Matrix is that if it isn’t broke, not to fix it.
The Ready Player One sceenwriter who is said to be writing a treatment for a new Matrix film recently took to Twitter to say the following:
“All I can say at this point is no one could or should REBOOT the Matrix. People who know Animatrix and the comics understand. Can’t comment yet except to say that the words “reboot” and “remake” were from an article. Let’s stop responding to inaccurate news. If I were going to recast Keanu Reeves, I would cast Keanu Reeves. How about just re-release the matrix? Don’t reboot it, you can’t do better. Do I want to see more stories set in the universe of the matrix? Yes. Because it’s a brilliant idea that generates great stories.”
So it looks like a sequel, prequel, or spin-off may be what’s planned at this point, and this might be just the right move. Many found the resolution of The Matrix Revolutions unsatisfactory at best and a new installment in the same continuity might be a great chance to redeem the storyline. If Penn does write a new script and the studio secures the involvement of Black Panther’s Michael P. Jordan as they are rumored to be trying to do, then it could be an exciting new trip into a familiar digital world. Of course it would still mean a film without the familiar cast, characters, and the involvement of the Wachowskis so whether this will be a sleek new iteration of the series or a clunky bit of bloatware remains to be seen.
