‘Matrix 4’ Cast Signs 8-Week Extension In Wake Of Shutdown

The Matrix 4 has fallen victim to production shutdowns due to the Coronavirus right in the midst of production. However, Warner Bros. remains hopeful that production will resume for the much-anticipated sequel by early July. According to Variety, the cast has signed eight-week extensions to keep the actors on hold up until at least July 6.

Filming for the Lana Wachowski-directed fourth installment of the hugely successful sci-fi franchise began in February in San Francisco. It then moved on to Berlin but, even before the cameras could start rolling, the production was halted in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic. Matrix 4 was only four weeks into production when it had to shut down.

Although details are being tightly kept under wraps, there is plenty of information known about the highly anticipated sequel. First up, original stars Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss are set to return despite their characters dying in The Matrix Revolutions. Jada Pinkett Smith is also returning as Niobe. Many fans were disappointed at the news that Laurence Fishburne won’t be back to take on his mantle as Morpheus. But, the film seems to be making up for it by adding a lot of fresh faces to the mix. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, in particular, is rumored to be playing a younger version of Morpheus. In addition to him, new cast members include Priyanka Chopra, Jessica Henwick, Neil Patrick Harris, Toby Onwumere, Brian J. Smith,  Eréndira Ibarra, Ellen Hollman, and Andrew Caldwell. Henwick is rumored to be playing a female Neo-like character.

While plot details are very scarce right now, Reeves has described that the film is “very ambitious” in an interview.

Wachowski co-wrote the screenplay with David Mitchell and Aleksandar Hemon. She is also producing with Grant Hill, who executive produced Matrix Reloaded and Matrix Revolutions.

Matrix 4 is currently slated for a 2021 release. However, Warner Bros. has not released an exact date nor any news whether it will be affected by the postponed production.

The Matrix series began in 1999 and took audiences by storm becoming a pop-cultural phenomenon. It also became one of Warner Bros.’s most successful franchises. The first film amassed $465 million worldwide. Then, it was quickly followed by its sequels The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions which were released only a few months apart in 2003. Both films grossed over $1 billion worldwide making it one of the most successful film franchises of the last two decades. The trilogy was directed by Lana and Lilly Wachowski.