Warner Bros. has officially scheduled The Matrix 4 release date. In addition, it has been revealed that Toby Onwumere will be reuniting with Sense8 co-creator Lana Wachowski to work on the upcoming sequel. The franchise wrapped on the big screen back in 2003, but the studio has been looking for ways to bring it back over the years. With that being said, there's not too many people who would have guessed that Keanu Reeves and Carrie Anne-Moss would be returning for a fourth installment.
The Matrix 4 is all set to hit theaters on May 21st, 2021. Warner Bros. previously had Taika Waititi's live-action Akira adaptation in that slot, but it appears the project is on indefinite hiatus while the director goes on to make Thor: Love and Thunder for Marvel Studios. Whatever the case may be, this is great news for fans of The Matrix franchise. Production is expected to begin early next year, so the release date makes sense. John Wick 4 is also scheduled to come out on May 21st, though that date will more than likely change at some point.
Toby Onwumere has joined The Matrix 4 cast in an unknown role. He joins Keanu Reeves (Neo), Carrie-Anne Moss (Trinity), and Jada Pinkett Smith (Niobe). Further newcomers include Jessica Henwick, Neil Patrick Harris, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who is rumored to be playing a young Morpheus. The young Morpheus news has yet to be confirmed at this time. Also added this week was Mindhunter star Jonathan Groff.
In addition to working on Netflix's Sense8, Onwumere had a recurring role on season 5 of Fox's Empire as the love interest of Jamal Lyon. With production set to begin in the near future, we should get some more casting updates, along with character information.
Warner Bros. chairman Toby Emmerich announced his excitement to have Lana Wachowski back for The Matrix 4 earlier this year. "We could not be more excited to be re-entering the Matrix with Lana," Emmerich said. "Lana is a true visionary... and we are thrilled that she is writing, directing and producing this new chapter in The Matrix universe." Fans are more than likely thinking the same thing. There are still other Matrix projects in various stages of development, but it appears that the studio is going to put the focus all on The Matrix 4 for the time being.
The Matrix 4 announcement came at a crazy time for Keanu Reeves, who had just put out John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum and then went straight to work on Bill & Ted Face the Music. Reeves is returning to two of his most fan-favorite roles and he seems to be very excited about both projects, though we haven't heard a whole lot about The Matrix 4 yet. More news is on the way, hopefully with the official title coming soon. The Hollywood Reporter was the first to announce the release date news.