Lilly Wachowski, co-creator of the seminal science fiction franchise The Matrix, has indicated she is "kinda done" with the series. This sentiment casts a shadow over the recently announced The Matrix 5, which may not proceed without the blessing of the Wachowskis.
Warner Bros. announced in 2024 that Drew Goddard, known for his work on "The Martian" and "The Cabin in the Woods," was attached to write and direct a fifth installment in The Matrix saga. Should it move forward, this would mark the first film in the series not to feature either Lana or Lilly Wachowski in a directing capacity, although Lana Wachowski was reportedly considered for an executive producer role.
Previously, Jesse Ehrman, Warner Bros. Motion Pictures President of Production, stated that Goddard approached the studio with a novel concept. "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," Ehrman said in a statement. "The entire team at Warner Bros. Discovery is thrilled for Drew to be making this new Matrix film, adding his vision to the cinematic canon the Wachowskis’ spent a quarter of a century building here at the studio.”
However, Lilly Wachowski's recent comments on KCRW's "The Business," as reported by Variety, suggest a different perspective. "Warner Bros., they wanna make another thing. They’re always gonna wanna make another thing. Personally, I don’t wanna play in that sandbox anymore. I’m kinda done,” she stated.
Wachowski elaborated that Goddard intends to secure the Wachowskis' approval before proceeding with The Matrix 5, a situation she described as "complicated." "But there may be a thing that’s happening with Drew Goddard, and he doesn’t wanna go forward unless he gets our blessing,” she explained. “And so, it becomes this complicated situation where, maybe we’re gonna stick our noses in a tiny bit and see how we feel, and if we wanna pass on our blessing to Drew or not. So, it could be something that’s coming down the road, but it’s still unknown.”
The original The Matrix film debuted in March 1999, followed by sequels The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions in 2003. After a nearly two-decade hiatus, The Matrix Resurrections was released in 2021. Lana Wachowski directed Resurrections without Lilly's involvement, though Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss returned as Neo and Trinity.
Despite the return of its iconic stars, The Matrix Resurrections received mixed reviews and underperformed at the box office, grossing $157 million worldwide against a reported budget of $190 million. Its theatrical run was impacted by simultaneous release on HBO Max and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic disruptions to cinema attendance.
Details regarding The Matrix 5 remain scarce beyond Warner Bros.' announcement. The potential involvement of Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss is also unknown, and based on Lilly Wachowski's current stance, any confirmation may be some time away.