The Matrix 4 to be released in 2022

This time we know it’s for real: Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss are reprising their roles as Neo and Trinity in a fourth film set in the world of “The Matrix”. Warner Bros Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures will produce and globally distribute the film, set to be released in 2022.

Warner Bros Picture Group chairman Toby Emmerich made the announcement this week. “We could not be more excited to be re-entering ‘The Matrix’ with director Lana Wachowski – said Emmerich – we are thrilled that she is writing, directing and producing this new chapter in ‘The Matrix’ universe”. In addition to Wachowski, the script was also written by Aleksandar Hemon and David Mitchell. Sources say the film is eyed to begin production at the top of 2020 and scheduled to be tentatively released in 2022.

Warner Bros has been trying for the last of couple years to find a way to get back into “The Matrix” universe, but a hold-up over producing rights slowed the project down. Over the past couple of months, the studio saw an opportunity to ramp up development, with Reeves boasting a strong summer that included box office hits “John Wick 3” and “Toy Story 4” and a script from Wachowski that drummed up excitement. Plot details are currently unknown, as is how the role of Morpheus will be handled, originally played by Laurence Fishburne. Some sources say the role may be recast for a younger take.

The three previous films — “The Matrix,” “The Matrix Reloaded” and “The Matrix Revolutions” — have collectively earned more than $1.6 billion at the global box office. All three were written and directed by Lana and her sister, Lilly, and starred Reeves and Moss. “Many of the ideas Lilly and I explored 20 years ago about our reality are even more relevant now. I’m very happy to have these characters back in my life and grateful for another chance to work with my brilliant friends,” Wachowski said.

Meanwhile, according to The List, Reeves is a secret, generous philanthropist. Throughout his career, Reeves has given others money that might have gone into his pocket — taking pay cuts so other actors could be hired for films. He has also generously funded many charitable efforts without openly claiming credit. You would never know it, but Reeves runs a private foundation that benefits cancer research and children’s hospitals. In keeping with his modest approach to his philanthropic life, he told Ladies Home Journal, “I don’t like to attach my name to it, I just let the foundation do what it does.” Reeves has donated to SCORE – Spinal Cord Opportunities for Rehabilitation Endowment, a charity founded after a UCLA hockey player’s spinal cord was injured during a post-season game. After he was signed to star in The Devil’s Advocate in 1997, Reeves learned that movie’s budget didn’t allow for hiring Al Pacino. Reeves was eager to work with the acting legend. He took a sizable pay cut so that Pacino could also star in the film.