समाचार

Whether or not anybody really wanted a fourth Matrix movie (we didn’t), getting Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss and Laurence Fishburne to reprise Neo, Trinity and Morpheus was clutch. There was only one problem: Laurence Fishburne wasn’t going to be in The Matrix Resurrections. And while the story was originally that Fishburne was never asked, the actor now says he actually tried to be a part of it.

Appearing on The View, Laurence Fishburne claimed that he approached those making The Matrix Resurrections but was quickly turned away. “I offered my services to the fourth Matrix, and they didn’t respond well to that. Hey, it’s not like I didn’t say, ‘I’d like to offer my services.’ I did. And for whatever reason, that didn’t happen, Ok.” Instead, he would be replaced by The Trial of the Chicago 7’s Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, playing an entity merely embodying the character.

A few weeks ago, I was watching a video essay from a YouTube channel called DanBoyWonder titled “The Lost Art of Action Cartoons!,” which basically stated that we aren’t getting action-oriented shows like Batman: The Animated Series, Ben 10, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Teen Titans, Swat Kats, Gargoyles, Samurai Jack, Justice League, etc., any more. He argued that recent reboots of older animated shows or the overall landscape of animated shows made in America is really bland. He did say that stuff like Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man and Invincible are decent but not as amazing as the stuff from the good old days. And you know what? I almost agreed with him. But then I realized that any discourse on the current state of American animation is incomplete without bringing up the work that Adi Shankar and his collaborators have done in this space. Castlevania’s four-season run is spectacular.

It's not hyperbole to say that The Matrixchanged blockbuster filmmaking forever upon its release in 1999. The Wachowskis' sci-fi epic introduced new ideas and techniques to the world of science-fiction cinema, spawning countless parodies and imitations that tried to recapture some of its magic. Not only did it make more than seven times its initial budget, it became a bona fide cultural sensation whose influence continues to be felt to this day.

With the first film being so successful, it was inevitable that Hollywood would want more Matrix. Its two sequels, 2003's The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, did good business but saw some diminishing creative returns, as the Wachowskis labored to turn a standalone film into a three-part epic. But beyond its mainline sequels, the saga also took a side trip into animation, and the result was probably the most satisfying Matrix property outside the original film: 2003's The Animatrix.

Next month, Adult Swim will begin airing Cowboy Bebop creator Shinichiro Watanabe's brand-new anime, Lazarus. Recently, the network unveiled a special sneak peek from the series, giving fans an action-packed introduction to Lazarus' lead character, Axel.

Lazarus' newly-released preview is featured on Adult Swim Europe's official YouTube Channel. The sequence showcases Axel's unique acrobatic skills, which he uses to deftly evade several armed prison guards. The clip also previews the show's English dub, which stars Jack Stansbury (Axel), Bryson Baugus (Leland), Jovan Jackson (Doug), Luci Christian (Christine) and David Matranga (Dr. Skinner). In North America, Lazarus is slated to premiere on Adult Swim's popular Toonami programming block on April 5 at 12 a.m.

Lazarus Is Set to Be Cowboy Bebop Creator's Next Sci-Fi Action Hit Anime

Lazarus is Watanabe's first original anime work since Carole & Tuesday (2019) -- an adolescent drama about two young girls who share a passion for music.

Quick LinksSean Connery Missed Out On Two Massive Franchises in the Early 2000sThe League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Was Sean Connery’s Final Film

Sir Ian McKellen was the perfect Gandalf in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. He was equally adept at portraying the Wizard as an eccentric old man, a sage mentor, and a divine spirit of near-limitless power, which was a difficult balance to achieve. McKellen was Jackson's first choice to play Gandalf, but he was not the only option considered. Jackson needed to accommodate actors' schedules, the trilogy's budget, and requests from higher-ups at New Line Cinema, so many names were discussed for every major character. One of the front-runners in the discussion was Sean Connery, best known for playing James Bond from 1962 to 1967.

The Lord of the Rings' executive producer, Mark Ordesky, confirmed that an offer was made to Connery, who declined.

R-rated movies aren’t just surviving in the shadow of their PG-13 counterparts; they’re thriving, raking in massive box office numbers and smashing records left and right. Take the last decade’s chart-toppers like Joker with a staggering $1.07 billion or Deadpool 2 at $785.9 million. Deadpool & Wolverine is already leading the charge this decade, earning a jaw-dropping $1.33 billion. Then there’s Oppenheimer, proving that brainy, historical dramas can pull in $976.9 million. Combined, these ten blockbusters have earned a mind-blowing $8.97 billion globally. Yes, you read that right: billion with a capital B.

The Passion of the Christ, Logan, and Detective Chinatown 3

Actors like Ryan Reynolds dominate the list with Deadpool, Deadpool 2, and Deadpool & Wolverine. Hugh Jackman isn’t far behind, slashing through with Logan and his much-anticipated team-up with Reynolds. Meanwhile, Keanu Reeves’ The Matrix Reloaded ($741.8 million) and Jim Caviezel’s The Passion of the Christ ($612 million) remind...

Indie Rights has acquired worldwide distribution rights to “Vincent,” the atmospheric arthouse dark comedy from Australian filmmaker Alan King, it was revealed on the sidelines of Hong Kong FilMart.

The film, which King both directed and stars in as the troubled writer Vincent Tremblay, follows a protagonist who retreats to an isolated location to complete his first novel, only to encounter a mysterious powerful force that disrupts his solitude.

“With ‘Vincent,’ it was my intention for the line between reality and fantasy to be never clearly defined,” King explains. “Many of the events and themes in the film’s narrative serve as metaphoric representations of addiction, isolation, mental health, friendships, family, social prejudices and concepts of identity.”

The film features a cast including Christopher Kirby, Mercia Deane-Johns (“Last Cab to Darwin”), Greg Fleet (“Wolf Creek”) and Zoe Bertram (“Under the Lighthouse Dancing”), with newcomers Bill Evans and Paree Brar rounding out the ensemble.

Carrie-Ann Moss, aka Trinity from The Matrix, was surrounded by raining offers after the movie concluded a successful trilogy in 2003. Moss was going through a significant life-changing phase; she had to choose between the limelight and motherhood. Contemplating what she wanted more in the long run, the Die Alone actress took a willing break from her career to embrace motherhood.

Carrie-Anne Moss plays Jedi Master Indara in The Acolyte | Lucasfilm

The Matrix, a sci-fi cocktail spilling the trajectory of multiple realities, was first released in 1999, directed by Lana and Lilly Wachowski. The movie followed two sequels, The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, in 2003 after attaining a remarkable triumph from fans and critics alike. Moss tasted the path of glory with the sci-fi trilogy starring alongside Keanu Reeves but decided to bid farewell to the cinema, only to return with more.

Carrie-Ann Moss embraced motherhood over films after The Matrix...

After The Matrix made Carrie-Anne Moss a household name, she was offered a wave of major Hollywood roles. However, at the time, the actor opted to turn them down.

Speaking to The Independent, Moss said she decided to step away from acting to focus on raising her family. "After The Matrix was such a big deal, I took a big, big break to have children and be with them," she said. "I remember being torn, having a little twinge like, 'Gosh, I’m getting offered such great things. That would be such a huge deal.' And I was holding my baby in my arms, and I remember thinking, 'At the end of my life, will it matter to me that I have another movie on my résumé? Or will it matter to me that I held my baby?' And I instantly thought, no. It was just a no-brainer.

Carrie-Anne Moss has spoken about stepping away from Hollywood at the height of her career to focus on raising her children. The actress, best known for playing Trinity in The Matrix franchise, turned down major film offers following the success of the trilogy to prioritize her family.

“After The Matrix was such a big deal, I took a big, big break to have children and be with them,” Moss said in a recent interview with The Independent. “I remember being torn, having a little twinge like, ‘Gosh, I’m getting offered such great things. That would be such a huge deal.’ And I was holding my baby in my arms, and I remember thinking, ‘At the end of my life, will it matter to me that I have another movie on my résumé? Or will it matter to me that I held my baby?’ And I instantly thought, no. It was just a no-brainer.

Carrie-Anne Moss has no regrets about choosing to focus on motherhood over her career.

During a recent interview with The Independent, the actress opened up about her reasoning for turning down big movie deals at the height of her career, when The Matrix franchise was skyrocketing.

“After The Matrix was such a big deal, I took a big, big break to have children and be with them,” Moss explained. “I remember being torn, having a little twinge like, ‘Gosh, I’m getting offered such great things. That would be such a huge deal.'”

She continued, “And I was holding my baby in my arms, and I remember thinking, ‘At the end of my life, will it matter to me that I have another movie on my résumé? Or will it matter to me that I held my baby?’ And I instantly thought, no. It was just a no-brainer. And...

Carrie-Anne Moss recently gave an interview to The Independent and said she has no regrets after pulling back from her acting career amid the skyrocketing success of “The Matrix” franchise. Moss starred as Trinity opposite Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne in the Wachowski’s 1999 action classic and its two sequels, “The Matrix Reloaded” and “The Matrix Revolutions,” both released in 2003. She strategically declined major offers after the trilogy wrapped in order to become a mom and prioritize her family.

“After ‘The Matrix’ was such a big deal, I took a big, big break to have children and be with them,” Moss told the publication. “I remember being torn, having a little twinge like ‘Gosh, I’m getting offered such great things. That would be such a huge deal.’ And I was holding my baby in my arms, and I remember thinking, ‘At the end of my life, will it matter...

Ne Zha 2 Box Office: Records Broken By The Chinese Feature ( Photo Credit – YouTube )

The Chinese animated feature Ne Zha 2 is trending worldwide for its unbelievable box office collection. It recently made history by becoming the first animation to cross the $2 billion mark worldwide. This movie broke several records, which we have listed in this article. Scroll below for more.

The Ne Zha sequel’s unparalleled success significantly impacts the global film industry. It has a widespread audience appeal and highlights the growing importance of Chinese cinema. It has been released in several overseas markets and is performing well worldwide.

Ne Zha 2 collected $3.9 million from over 184K screenings on Monday. It registered the biggest 5th Monday in China, taking the Chinese cume to the $1.97 billion mark in just 34 days. It collected $530K in pre-sales for yesterday, its 5th Tuesday. The Ne Zha sequel has crossed the $2 billion milestone in thirty-three days.

Wicked Box Office: Set To Release In Japan(Photo Credit – Instagram)

Oscar-winning musical fantasy Wicked is still running at the box office and is set to be released in Japan. The movie will potentially see a boost in box office performance after its Oscar wins, and it might even help the film earn record numbers in Japan. There is a chance it might surpass the worldwide haul of Keanu Reeves’s starrer The Matrix Reloaded. Scroll below for the deets.

The movie was released around Thanksgiving and registered several box office records. It was directed by Jon M Chu, adapting the first act of the 2003 stage musical by Stephen Schwartz and Holzman. The film featured Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum. Made on a budget of $150 million, it is the fifth highest-grossing film of last year.

For the uninitiated,...

Paramount’s free streaming service, Pluto TV, has revealed its March highlights. The Pluto TV March 2025 lineup celebrates Women’s History Month with powerhouse performances, legendary directors, and female-led stories in every genre. Pluto TV is also spotlighting its On-Demand section, where you can find sections specially curated by programmers.

Pluto TV is the leading free streaming television service, delivering hundreds of live, linear channels and thousands of titles on-demand to a global audience. The Emmy Award-winning service curates a diverse lineup of channels in partnership with hundreds of international media companies.

On-demand

Pluto TV offers hundreds of free live channels, but there’s even more to love with its growing on-demand section. With an expanding selection of films and TV series, audiences can dive into their favorite content anytime, in addition to tuning in live. This month, dive into new special collections:

A24 Spotlight – Stream acclaimed films like Red Rocket,...

Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Vivica A. Fox starred in a 1996 heist thriller called Set It Off, and it's currently number one on Tubi. Directed by F. Gary Gray, the film was released in November 1996 and was a box office hit, earning nearly $41.2 million at the global box office on a production budget of $9 million. It currently has a 70% critical rating and 89% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Set It Off's official plot reads:

Desperation drives four inner-city women to bank robbery in Los Angeles, then they start mistrusting each other.

The film follows a group of friends working together at a janitorial service after Frankie (Fox) loses her job as a bank teller. Joining her are Cleo (Queen Latifah), Stony (Pinkett Smith), and Tisean "T.T." (Kimberly Elise). The friends decide to rob banks and are successful at first, but soon they begin to mistrust each other while...

How many movies arrive with the seismic thunder of The Matrix? Debuting to little fanfare in 1999, the movie became a sensation. Suddenly, black leather, trenchcoats, and sleek sunglasses became all the rage. Other movies rushed to parody and pilfer the film’s fight choreography. And in a feat matched only by Star Wars, The Matrix spawned its own religion. Suffice it to say anticipation ran high for the arrival of The Matrix Reloaded four years later.

In another feat also only matched by Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, The Matrix Reloaded debuted to Leviathan hype. Warner Bros. promoted the film with 24-hour showings in cinemas, but this time, the audience walked away feeling cheated and confused. In fact, despite earning positive reviews and doing mammoth box office, The Matrix Reloaded gained — and still maintains — a reputation as one of the worst sequels of all time. Thus, the time has come...

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Worldwide Box Office: Surpasses Keanu Reeves’ The Matrix (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Keanu Reeves is a versatile actor who is also unparalleled in the action space. He earned fortunes with his The Matrix franchise and is best known for the John Wick film. His latest movie, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, has emerged as one of the top five highest-grossing films in his career. Keep scrolling for more deets.

Sonic 3 is performing better at the overseas box office than it is in the US. The film was directed by Jeff Fowler and received excellent ratings on Rotten Tomatoes as the critics certified it fresh with an 86% rating on Tomatometer. The Audience gave it 95%, showing their love for the movie. Reeves plays Shadow the Hedgehog, the antagonist in the film. The director was impressed by his John Wick performance.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is moving towards the $500 million...

What was Jada Pinkett Smith’s condition about working in The Matrix Reloaded? (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Jada Pinkett Smith not only gets recognized as Will Smith’s wife but also as a multi-hyphenated star. She started as an actress, moved on to the music industry, tried her hands as a talk show host, and so on and so forth. However, it was reported that Jada wanted to join The Matrix franchise in the very first film and even auditioned for Trinity’s role. On the other hand, Will Smith was offered to play Neo’s role. However, it didn’t work out and Trinity’s role went to Carrie-Ann Moss.

But the actress became a part of the franchise as she joined ‘The Matrix Reloaded’ as Niobe. Yes, that’s right. She then went on to feature in the sequels, The Matrix Revolution and The Matrix Resurrections. But, did you know before she said yes,...

After opening with a $25 million lead, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 may not have performed as well as its biggest competitor, Mufasa: The Lion King, but the film has still found success on its way to becoming the highest-grossing entry in the franchise. At the time of writing, Sonic 3 has collected $233 million from domestic markets and $238 million from international markets for a worldwide total of $471 million, but the film just crossed a major milestone for one of its stars. The third movie in the Sonic franchise has now passed both The Matrix and John Wick: Chapter 4 to become the third-highest-grossing movie of Keanu Reeves’ career, now short of only The Matrix Reloaded (2003) and Toy Story 4, where Reeves can be heard as the voice of Duke Caboom.

Actress Jada Pinkett Smith reportedly first hoped to join The Matrix franchise in the very first film and auditioned for the role of Trinity, while her husband, Will Smith was offered the role of Neo. While that alternative universe would surely have been whack, the couple could not do their roles, and Carrie-Anne Moss took up the role of Trinity.

A still from The Matrix Reloaded | Credits: Warner Bros.

However, Pinkett Smith finally joined the franchise in The Matrix Reloaded, playing the part of Niobe. She went on to play the part in the sequels, The Matrix Revolutions and Resurrections as well as the video game Enter the Matrix. While the role was written with her in mind, she reportedly had one condition that needed to be fulfilled for her to join.

The Wachowskis happily agreed to Jada Pinkett Smith’s clause while offering The Matrix Reloaded Jada Pinkett Smith...

With the Super Bowl just around the corner, excitement is building not only for the game itself but for the highly anticipated commercials that will light up the screen. Every year, movie studios and streaming services unleash their biggest trailers during this big game, knowing the audience’s anticipation to catch a glimpse of the biggest commercials of the year.

While the game and half-time show certainly bring excitement, it’s those sneak peeks at upcoming movies that truly have viewers on the edge.

A still from The Studio trailer | Credit: Apple TV+

However, before the Super Bowl hits the screen, Seth Rogan’s new Apple TV’s fake Super Bowl trailer is making rounds on the internet for its trailer within trailer tricks. In the Apple TV+ trailer of The Studio, Seth Rogan is a newly appointed head of a fictional movie. The trailer follows him and his team...

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Worldwide Box Office: Surpasses John Wick 4( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 also scored strong numbers this weekend. It has crossed the $450 million mark worldwide and has become one of the top five highest-grossing films of Keanu Reeves’ career. To achieve this position, it has surpassed the global haul of John Wick 4. Scroll below for the deets.

Reeves is one of the greatest actors of the 21st century, known for his leading roles in action films. The actor is best known for the Matrix and John Wick franchises, in addition to his philanthropic practices in his personal life. Filmmaker Jeff Fowler roped in Keanu due to the parallels between his performance in the John Wick movies and his vision for the character of Shadow the Hedgehog.

Keanu Reeves plays the antagonist Shadow the Hedgehog in Sonic 3. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 collected a strong $7 million...

2003’s overlooked animated anthology movie The Animatrix only added to the legend of Carrie-Anne Moss’ character Trinity established by the live-action Matrix films. Written and produced by The Wachowskis for online release immediately after The Matrix Reloaded and before The Matrix Revolutions, The Animatrix features nine non-chronological animated shorts directed by some of the franchise creators’ favorite anime filmmakers.

Two of the shorts, in particular, focus on Trinity’s backstory, making her even cooler than when she appeared on the big screen in the original live-action Matrix trilogy. “A Detective Story” serves up the kind of coded messages and escapology the feature films lead you to expect from Trinity. Her minor role in “Kid’s Story”, meanwhile, portrays her hero status almost on a par with Neo.

The Animatrix’s “A Detective Story” Shows How Big Of A Threat Trinity Was To The Machines She Was Impossible To Catch And...

From the messianic Neo to the nefarious Agent Smith, the Wachowskis created some of the most iconic characters ever to grace the silver screen for The Matrix franchise. The Matrix has become a staple of science fiction; terms like “The One” and “red pill” have entered the pop culture lexicon. It’s both a thought-provoking meditation on human existence and artificial intelligence, and a poignant religious allegory about a “chosen one” figure with impostor syndrome. As with any classic movie, part of what makes The Matrix so timeless is that its characters are so compelling and three-dimensional.

Not every character in The Matrix franchise is well-written and well-developed. Characters like the Keymaker and the Trainman exist purely to facilitate the plot. The Architect speaks exclusively in nonsensical hypotheticals and sounds like he carries around a thesaurus. But most of the characters in this ensemble are fascinating figures played by great actors,...

Last April, we learned that The Martian writer and The Cabin in the Woods director Drew Goddard had been tapped to helm a new Matrix movie for Warner Bros. Discovery.

Rumours of a reboot or spin-off have persisted for years, and while we don't know which category this one will fall into, this could mark a return to form for the franchise.

The Matrix was released in 1999 to widespread acclaim, with The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions following in 2003. They didn't receive anywhere near as warm a response as the original, and Lana returned to the property (minus Lilly) in 2021 for The Matrix Resurrections. That once again struggled to strike a chord with fans and was widely deemed a disappointment.

There's currently no word on whether original Matrix leads Keanu Reeves, Carrie Anne-Moss, Laurence Fishburne, and Hugo Weaving will be involved in any way, but a new rumour claims...

Last April, we heard the exciting news: Drew Goddard, known for The Martian and The Cabin in the Woods, was chosen to direct a new Matrix film for Warner Bros. Discovery. Fans have speculated about a reboot or spin-off for years, and this project might finally deliver.

The original Matrix movie, released in 1999, was a massive hit. Its sequels, The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, both came out in 2003 but didn’t capture the same enthusiasm. In 2021, Lana Wachowski returned (without Lilly) to direct The Matrix Resurrections, but it also struggled with fans.

We still don’t know if original stars like Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Laurence Fishburne, or Hugo Weaving will join this new venture. However, a rumor from @MyTimeToShineH (via the Sff Gazette) suggests that Ariana Grande could be one of the leads in Goddard’s Matrix. This would be a big leap for Grande, especially after her praised role in Wicked.

It's been nearly a year since we first learned of plans for Drew Goddard to write and direct a new Matrix movie. Rumours of a reboot or spin-off have persisted for years (the prequel starring Michael B. Jordan as a young Morpheus never came to fruition) but we've heard very little about this effort since it was announced by Warner Bros. Discovery.

Goddard, best known for writing The Martian and directing The Cabin in the Woods (he also worked on Netflix's Daredevil and the unmade Sinister Six movie for Sony Pictures), will have a helping hand from franchise co-creator Lana Wachowski who has boarded the project as an executive producer.

Yesterday, Will Smith shared a cryptic Instagram post addressing his now-infamous decision to pass on the role of Neo in 1999's The Matrix to instead star in Wild Wild West.

The Oscar-winner shared a brief video with a Matrix-style message reading,...

A new report has poured cold water on the speculation that King Richard and Bad Boys: Ride or Die star Will Smith is involved with the next Matrix movie. The actor famously turned down the chance to play the lead character Neo in the original 1999 The Matrix film, with the role eventually going to Keanu Reeves.

Drew Goddard (The Martian) is attached to write and direct the Matrix franchise's fifth movie installment, and sources confirmed to Variety that Smith is not involved with the project. The rumor of the Academy Award-winning actor's involvement began on Monday after he posted a cryptic message on his Instagram recalling his rejection of the Neo role. Smith's post, which he writes in third person, reads, "In 1997, the Wachowskis offered Will Smith the role of Neo in 'The Matrix.' Smith turned it down. He chose Wild Wild West, believing it was a better...

Gold Derby’s top news stories for Jan. 6, 2025. A Real Pain comes to Hulu

One day after winning a Golden Globe, Searchlight Pictures’ A Real Pain now has a real plan for streaming. The dramedy film from writer-director-producer-actor Jesse Eisenberg, which won the Globe for supporting player Kieran Culkin, is coming to Hulu on Thursday, Jan. 16. Hulu and Searchlight — formerly Fox Searchlight — are both owned by Disney, so Hulu has become the home of a number of Searchlight titles, also including Poor Things, Kinds of Kindness, and Nightbitch.

A Real Pain made its first splash at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where Eisenberg won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award. Since being picked up by Searchlight and released to general audiences in November, the film has been named one of the top 10 films of the year by the American Film Institute and received a long string of plaudits for Culkin. In addition to the Globe,...

Will Smith will not be joining Warner Bros. and director Drew Goddard in a new Matrix movie for the studio, insiders tell The Hollywood Reporter.

That leaves open a mystery Smith sparked on Monday with a cryptic Instagram post noting how Smith passed on the starring role of Neo in the original 1999 sci-fi epic The Matrix, directed by Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski.

The Instagram post — featuring Matrix-style computer font — stated: “In 1997, the Wachowski’s offered Will Smith the role of Neo in The Matrix. Smith turned it down. He chose Wild Wild West, believing it was a better fit for him at the time. But the question remains: What would The Matrix have been like with Will Smith as Neo? Wake up, Will… The Matrix has you…”

The Matrix went on to be a generation-defining hit, while Barry Sonnenfeld’s Wild Wild West was beaten up by critics...

Last April, Warner Bros. Discovery announced that Drew Goddard had been tapped to write and direct a new Matrix movie. Rumours of a reboot or spin-off have persisted for years, and while we don't know which category this project will fall into, the news excited fans of the franchise.

Goddard, best known for writing The Martian and directing The Cabin in the Woods (he also worked on Daredevil and Sony Pictures unmade Sinister Six movie), will be joined by franchise co-creator Lana Wachowski as executive producer.

Today, the question on everyone's lips is whether the movie will star Will Smith...as Neo?!

The Oscar-winner famously passed on the role to instead star in Wild Wild West. As a result, Keanu Reeves was cast as the iconic character and the rest, as they say, is history. However, a reboot could change things.

On Instagram - via SFFGazette.com - Smith shared...

Will Smith may be choosing between the red and blue pill, but the Oscar-winning actor isn’t entering the Matrix for a movie.

Warner Bros. previously announced a fifth “Matrix” installment with “The Martian” screenwriter Drew Goddard attached to write and direct, but knowledgable sources confirmed to Variety that Smith (at least at this point) isn’t involved in the film franchise.

Speculation started on Monday after Smith posted a cryptic message on Instagram, recalling his decision to pass on the starring role of Neo (which eventually went to Keanu Reeves) in Lana or Lilly Wachowski’s seminal 1999 sci-fi epic “The Matrix.”

“In 1997, the Wachowskis offered Will Smith the role of Neo in ‘The Matrix.’ Smith turned it down,” his Instagram video, written in third-person, reads. “He chose ‘Wild Wild West,’ believing it was a better fit for him at the time. But the question remains: What would ‘The Matrix...

Before Keanu Reeves landed the role of Neo in The Matrix, it was first offered to Will Smith. While Smith turned down the iconic role, it's now looking like he'll get his chance to star in a Matrix movie after all.

On Instagram, Smith shared a cryptic video that hints at his casting in a Matrix film. The video shows a message being typed that explains the story of Smith's near-casting in The Matrix, which he regrettably missed out on after choosing to star in the heavily-panned Wild Wild West instead. Hinting that fans will soon see what it would be like if Smith had accepted the part, the post concludes with a message that notes, "Wake up, Will..." Check it out below.

Related Will Smith & Margot Robbie's 9-Year-Old Crime Comedy Gets New Streaming Home After Netflix Success

Following its recent Netflix success, a Will Smith and Margot Robbie...

In 2003, Bruce Almighty — the third collaboration between Tom Shadyac and Jim Carrey (following Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and Liar Liar) — was released. The film follows Bruce Nolan (Carrey), an unlucky television reporter who yearns for sustenance. Fed up with his stifling white-collar existence, he constantly criticizes God, labeling him inept. Triggered, God (Morgan Freeman) appears to him and gives him spiritual powers for one week, daring him to do things differently. Because this is a Jim Carrey character, we don’t get to see any honorable acts. The free-spirited Bruce seizes the chance and uses the powers to inject adventure into his life in the most devious ways possible.

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Evan Almighty ComedyFamilyFantasy

Where to Watchstreamrentbuy

*Availability in US Release Date June 22, 2007Director Tom ShadyacRuntime 96 minutesCast Steve Carell, Morgan Freeman, Lauren Graham, Johnny Simmons, Graham Phillips, Jimmy Bennett...

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Box Office (North America): Helps Keanu Reeves To Push His Career Total Over $3B With Its $136M+ Domestic Cume! ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is doing a splendid job at the box office and is beating Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King. This third film introduced Keanu Reeves as an antagonist, Shadow the Hedgehog in the movie, and with that, the actor has crossed a significant milestone at the domestic box office. Sonic 3 has been well-received by the critics and the audience is also enjoying it in the theatres. Scroll below for the deets.

The movie is based on the video game series by Sega, and Keanu’s character is the new enemy of Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles. Shadow the Hedgehog allies with the mad scientists Ivo and Gerald Robotnik to take revenge against humanity. According to reports, Reeveas was cast for the role...

Now that The Matrix 5 is confirmed to be in the works, it’s the perfect time for another animated spinoff movie in the style of The Animatrix. In April 2024, Warner Bros. officially announced that The Matrix 5 was in development. The studio was impressed by a pitch from The Cabin in the Woods’ Drew Goddard, who’s attached to write and direct the new movie. This will be the first Matrix movie not to be directed by either of the Wachowski sisters, although Lana Wachowski is on board as an executive producer, so she’ll help guide the vision.

There’s no word yet on whether Keanu Reeves will reprise his role as Neo in The Matrix 5, but The Matrix saga will continue on the big screen in some form. Whether it’s a direct continuation of the main storyline or a spinoff following a new cast of Matrix characters, there...

Keanu Reeves may be one of the most beloved movie stars currently working, beloved more for his real-life personality and well-documented generosity than he is for his range as an actor. Reeves has a talent for playing taciturn action heroes and comic foils but tends to flounder when asked to play richer, more sophisticated characters. Compare his hilarious turn in "Always Be My Maybe," or his impressive physical performances in the "John Wick" movies to, say, "Bram Stoker's Dracula" wherein he struggles to keep his British accent. 

Moreso than his acting, though, Reeves seems to be loved for being a fathomlessly decent human being. He runs his own leukemia charity. When he caught people trespassing on his property, he invited them in for drinks. He famously gives expensive gifts to the crewmates on many of his movies, like Rolex watches for the "John Wick" crew, or motorcycles for the stunt...

Bruce Almighty, one of the most beloved comedies by genre icon Jim Carrey, will start streaming soon on Netflix. Per What’s on Netflix, the platform will add the movie just in time to give you something to laugh about as the holidays come to an end. Starting January 1, Jim Carrey fans will be able to eat leftovers from the holidays while watching one of the actor's best films. Which, franckly, sounds like the perfect plan, and Netflix is making it possible.

In Bruce Almighty, Carrey stars as Bruce Nolan, an ordinary TV reporter who’s trying his best to become a news anchor. When he doesn’t get the gig, Bruce reacts badly, and blames everything on God. To Bruce's surprise, God listens to the accusations (God is played by a perfectly cast Morgan Freeman) that he's not doing his job. Bruce is offered the chance to play God,...

Although the wait between the first and second Back to the Future movies was torturous for some, fans didn't have to wait long for Back to the Future Part III (and for good reason). The popular, acclaimed franchise, created by Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, follows Michael J. Fox's Marty McFly and Christopher Lloyd's Doc Brown, an unlikely time-traveling duo. Over the course of the three movies, Marty and Doc find themselves in various precarious situations, whether in the past, present, or future. In Back to the Future Part III, Marty and Doc travel to 1885.

Following the ending of Back to the Future Part II, Back to the Future Part III picks up right where the previous movie left off with Marty working to save Doc, who gets trapped in 1885. However, once he gets there, Marty realizes returning home with Doc will be more complicated than previously thought.

The Matrix has taken a break from science fiction in a new concept video. The beloved 1999 action movie has proven to have immense cultural influence, including Keanu Reeves' rise to prominence and the concept of a flawed simulation. The franchise has since enjoyed multiple sequels and several shorts. Each provides more insight into the complex and pre-existing world of Neo's horrifying reality. All the while, it continues to build on the established lore of the universe by remaining in familiar settings.

A new video, however, shies away from those typical settings. In fan footage generated by YouTuber Jae Kingsley, the post-apocalyptic wasteland is converted into a traditional Western:

The video is modeled off of The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966), and it features each major Matrix star in Western gear. There are still typical Wachowski-style slow-motion fights, though the characters also have standoffs with guns and lounge in taverns.

The sequels to The Matrix were never universally liked, but they were never bad, and the original film shows why. The ranking of every movie in The Matrix franchise is fairly easy: the original stands well above the rest. After three additional movies and 25 years, none of the Wachowski sisters' films have managed to recapture the magic that made the first so special. The sequels to The Matrix certainly aren't as good as the original, but they've also received a much harsher backlash than they deserve. The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions, and The Matrix Resurrections aren't bad, and The Matrix proves it.

A big reason the sequels to The Matrix were so controversial is because the original movie was so beloved. The Matrix introduced sci-fi fans to a world unlike any other in film, and it had such limitless potential that its sequels could have gone in any conceivable direction.

Fans were ecstatic over the news that Keanu Reeves was cast as Shadow in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. He was perfect for the part, fleshing out Shadow's stoic persona to a tee.

Screenwriter Josh Miller confirmed what fans have been saying about Keanu Reeves' performance in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Shadow has been compared to Reeves' previous roles, most of which were stoic, reluctant protagonists. Reeves' voice was so iconic it defined Shadow's personality; Miller said Reeves was always first on the list to play Shadow in the movie. "Yeah, we certainly had [Keanu's] voice in our minds," he told Collider. "I think whether we wanted to or not, that was the talk even before starting on [Sonic 3]." Reeves also did Sonic fans a huge favor when he joined the series.

Related 'That's What We Needed for Shadow': Sonic 3 Director Reveals the Real Reason Keanu Reeves Was Cast

Sonic the Hedgehog 3...

The first season of Squid Game touched upon the parallels between the show’s and The Matrix’s commentary on choice (or the illusion of choice). When a down-on-his-luck Seong Gi-hun met the Salesman, he was given the chance to earn some money by playing ddakji, where he had to flip a piece of folder paper with another piece of folder paper. Since one of the pieces of paper was red and the other was blue, and the show was about leaving the real world and entering a fantastical (read: nightmarish) one, viewers theorized that it was a reference to the red pill-blue pill theory from the Wachowski sisters’ film. Then there was the voting system, where the contestants were given the opportunity to choose between exiting the game or continuing to play, and since the “O” button was blue (meaning continuing the game) and the “X” button was red...

For those wondering if Shrek is available on Netflix or any other streaming services, they'll be glad to know the animated fairy tale is easy to watch, rent, and buy. Since Shrek premiered in 2001, the Shrek franchise has continued to dominate the box office and award ceremonies, with even the lesser Shrek and Puss In Boots movies still standing above a lot of other animated children's movies. There's even a case to be made that Shrek 2 and Puss In Boots: The Last Wish are better movies than the original, a testament to the strength of the story.

That's not to say that the first Shrek has somehow not aged well. The DreamWorks hit movie still has an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, and it earned $489 million at the box office (via BoxOfficeMojo). Shrek basically set the tone for the modern animated movie. After Shrek, even animated movies aimed strictly at kids seemed smarter and more knowing,...

The recent release of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has demonstrated the close ties between the mediums of video games and cinema. Whether it is explicit movie tie-in games or film adaptations of popular gaming franchises, the two formats often take inspiration from one another. The Great Circle demonstrates a different trend, however; video games that create their own story within the pre-existing context of a film's world. These games pay tribute to their muses, honoring the rich lore and stories crafted by their cinematic counterparts.

Instead of being a direct adaptation of any Indiana Jones movie (besides the introductory tutorial), The Great Circle features a unique story that is not directly taken from any of the five films. It is inspired by the narratives and atmosphere crafted by the Hollywood blockbuster franchise and has successfully created its own tale which has received much critical and fan acclaim. This...

A 2009 martial arts movie produced by the Wachowskis is performing well during its run on streaming. The Wachowskis made their directorial debut with the crime thriller Bound in 1996, after penning the screenplay for 1995 Sylvester Stallone movie Assassins. But the siblings shot to global fame when they wrote and directed the 1999 science fiction action film The Matrix starring Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Laurence Fishburne, and Hugo Weaving. The movie was met with widespread critical acclaim, and is considered a modern classic, as well as one of the greatest and most influential science-fiction films ever made.

Following the unexpected success of The Matrix, the duo wrote and directed The Matrix Reloaded, and The Matrix Revolutions (both 2003), as well as expanding The Matrix franchise in the realm of video games and animation. Branching out from the series, they also wrote dystopian action movie V For Vendetta, as well as making sports action-comedy Speed Racer,...

Agent Smith, a seemingly ordinary program within The Matrix, rapidly evolves into a formidable antagonist who dominates the series. Portrayed brilliantly by Hugo Weaving, Smith's unique blend of human-like qualities and superhuman abilities sets him apart from his fellow Agents. His power to bend the rules of the Matrix, coupled with his capacity for self-awareness, makes him a force to be reckoned with.

Smith's dialogue alone in the first movie is part of what makes the original The Matrix movie the best. Yet as the series progresses, Smith's power escalates dramatically. He can replicate himself, assimilate the abilities of others, and even breach the real world. His role as a foil to Keanu Reeves' Neo is crucial, representing the dark side of the Matrix's potential. While Neo's powers in The Matrix represent hope and redemption, Smith embodies chaos and destruction.

What Powers Agent Smith Has At The Beginning Of The...

Viewers can watch all of the Matrix movies online. It has been 20 years since The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions both hit theaters in 2003, and for most of that time, many were convinced another entry in the film franchise would never be made. Yet, the world of the Matrix was always there, waiting to be re-entered with The Matrix Resurrections in 2021.

As divisive as both prior Matrix sequels were, it's fair to say that the expectations and hype going into The Matrix Resurrections were still high, with those who loved the original movie hoping for the franchise to be redeemed. Back along for the ride were Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Ann Moss, reprising Neo and Trinity, respectively, although Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is taking over as Morpheus. The original trilogy was already a fairly dense story undertaking, but fans who want to relive the entire quartet they can stream the Matrix movies at home,...

The Matrix is headed to a new streaming home just after celebrating its 25th anniversary in theaters.

Per Paramount+, 1999's The Matrix starring Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Laurence Fishburne, and Hugo Weaving is officially making its move to the streaming platform beginning December 1. Although The Matrix is available through a number of different outlets already, this marks the first time that fans of Paramount+ will be able to watch the film via their favorite platform.

Related The Matrix: Morpheus’ 15 Best Quotes, Ranked

The dialogue of The Matrix may be artificial, heightened, and devoid of quips found in a modern blockbuster, but it's full of memorable lines.

1999's The Matrix was written and directed by The Wachowskis and starred Reeves as Thomas A. Anderson, an unassuming computer programmer who becomes embroiled in a world of digital fantasies and post-apocalyptic horror upon discovering the existence of The Matrix, not to mention...