The Matrix Is Getting Rebooted

Reboots are a fact of life in the entertainment industry, be it games or films. Tomb Raider, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Ghost Busters, and Power Rangers are just some of the more recent franchises that got the "reimagining" treatment. Nearly two decades since it launched, The Matrix has so far survived unscathed. Not anymore. According to Hollywood sources, the icon geek culture is finally getting a reboot. Considering what the Matrix is, it's an interestingly apt term. Details, however, are just as glitchy.

Released in March of 1999, The Matrix took the world by surprise. Back then, films with even a nod to manga or comics were virtually unheard of to the point of being "experimental". But The Matrix pulled it off, thrice even, and became one of the iconic franchises in pop culture, with references and styles still seen everywhere today. Especially "bullet time" effects and the blue and red pills.

A large part of the success of the Matrix has been attributed to the Wachowskis, and Warner has been wary of making any reboot that did not include them. Unfortunately, that might have been the reason why there hasn't been such a reboot, with a rift between the Wachoswkis and producer Joel Silver believed to be one of the biggest causes. Silver sold all his interest in all his movies, including the Matrix to Warner Bros. last 2012.

Unfortunately, it also seems unlikely that the Wachowskis will be directly involved in any capacity, which rules out one other possible returning cast member. Lead star Keanu Reeves said he's open to playing a role in a reboot only if the original directors were involved. Rumor has it that there is interest in getting Michael B. Jordan, who starred in the much-reviled Fantastic Four reboot and the Rocky sequel Creed as the titular protagonist.

Zak Penn is also said to be in talks to, ahem, pen the script. The screenwriter and director does have a lot of street cred as far as comics-based films are concerned, having co-written X2 and X-Men: The Last Stand (OK, maybe not the best examples), The Avengers film, as well as having co-created the SyFy series Alphas. In short, nothing yet is certain other than the fact, or rather the tip, that The Matrix Reboot will be happening. Sometime, maybe.

VIA: Hollywood Reporter