Matrix 4 Confirmed. Keanu Reeves to Reprise His Lead Role as Neo

The Matrix will return for its fourth installment, with Keanu Reeves reprising his lead role as hacker Neo.

Matrix co-creator Lana Wachowski will write, direct and produce the film, a third sequel to the original 1999 hit.

Lana Wachowski celebrated The Matrix‘s return, saying many of the ideas it explores are “even more relevant now”.

The first three films in the sci-fi franchise earned more than $1.6 billion at the global box office.

Warner Bros Pictures Group chairman Toby Emmerich announced the fourth film on August 20, saying the studio “could not be more excited” about its return.

He said: “Lana is a true visionary – a singular and original creative filmmaker – and we are thrilled that she is writing, directing and producing this new chapter.”

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The original film was released in 1999 and told the story of Neo and his discovery that humanity was trapped in a simulated reality. It proved a major hit and spawned two sequels – The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions.

The third installment, The Matrix Revolutions, was the first film ever to be released simultaneously around the world at the same hour.

Rumors of a fourth chapter have been circulating since two years ago, with reports at the time stating that Warner Bros was “in the early stages of developing a re-launch”.

In a statement on August 20, Lana Wachowski said she was “very happy to have these characters back in my life and grateful for another chance to work with my brilliant friends”.