Although the Wachowskis won’t be involved with The Matrix 5, the new director’s previous body of work has already demonstrated why he will be perfect for the upcoming movie. The Matrix 5‘s confirmation ensures that audiences will once again get a chance to delve into the unique and thought-provoking world created by the Wachowskis back in 1999’s The Matrix. Although the reaction to The Matrix 5 has divided fans, it likely has a better chance at success than its predecessor, The Matrix Resurrections, due to the level of talent slated to direct it.
Furthermore, The Matrix 5 can resolve many unfinished stories from previous entries in the franchise, which undoubtedly broadens its appeal to a newer generation of audiences. Although subsequent entries in The Matrix franchise haven’t fared as well as the very first entry, the franchise is responsible for influencing millions of people, and its impact on the larger framework of the film industry can’t be understated. Nevertheless, The Matrix 5 is already positioned to do well thanks to its new writer-director, Drew Goddard, and could mark an interesting new direction for the franchise.
Related
The Matrix 5 Can’t Avoid Keanu Reeves’ Neo & Carrie-Anne Moss’ Trinity (Even If It’s A Reboot)
Plans for The Matrix 5 prove that there are more stories to tell in the Wachowskis’ franchise, but the movie can’t ignore its biggest characters.
The Good Place Proves He Can Handle The Matrix’s Existential Questions
The Good Place Is Renowned For Its Handling Of Existentialism
Although The Matrix‘s gravity-defying action scenes have contributed immensely to its worldwide success, the franchise’s handling of its themes and exploration of various philosophies is arguably The Matrix‘s greatest strength. As such, each installment in the franchise, both from the Wachowskis and other creators, has maintained a healthy degree of respect for those two aspects to give each entry in the franchise a distinct sense of consistency. While NBC’s The Good Place might not seem like a good fit for The Matrix on paper, it’s actually a perfect bookend for the sci-fi franchise.
Drew Goddard has directed four episodes of The Good Place, with his most notable episode being “Everything is Fine,” the series premiere. Despite being a comedy series with a distinct number of quirky characters, The Good Place is renowned for its existential explorations of morality, Heaven, Hell, and everything in between. Although The Good Place‘s series premiere was written by Michael Schur, Goddard’s handling of his script demonstrates that he can craft an engaging story around thought-provoking material. While Goddard’s handling of existentialism is proven, he’s also demonstrated an affinity for compelling action, another must for the Matrix franchise.
World War Z Proves He Can Do The Matrix’s Action
World War Z’s Action Is One Of Its Greatest Strengths
The 2013 action horror movie, World War Z, directed by Mark Forster, is perhaps Goddard’s strongest example of handling action from a screenwriting perspective. Goddard’s handling of Max Brooks’ book World War Z not only proves that Goddard can adapt someone else’s work properly, but also demonstrates his ability to do so while infusing his own sensibilities into the work. While World War Z isn’t a critical darling by any means, it is a solid action movie that continues Goddard’s action movie trend established by the success of 2008’s Cloverfield.
The Matrix‘s action scenes aren’t just good because they’re largely different from what most other mainstream Hollywood blockbuster films produce, but they work in tandem with highlighting the franchise’s themes. Since Goddard’s work in Cloverfield, World War Z, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Alias already demonstrate his understanding of writing well-crafted action, Goddard is a great choice to pen – and direct – the upcoming The Matrix 5. Still, there is yet one more project by Goddard that particularly demonstrates his deftness with philosophical themes and compelling action.
Goddard Put The Matrix’s Action & Philosophy Together With Netflix’s Daredevil
Goddard Perfectly Blends Action & Philosophy In Netflix’s Daredevil
Goddard’s work on Netflix’s Daredevil is the perfect blend of philosophical drama and hard-hitting action. While Daredevil‘s vigilante exploits are among some of the best in Marvel’s roster of heroes, the series also challenges its audience to consider the ethics of what Matthew Murdock/Daredevil does. On one hand, Daredevil’s motivations and commitment to fighting Hell’s Kitchen’s worst criminals are admirable, but his obsession with keeping the streets clean brings into question Murdock’s sanity and, to an even greater extent, his true intentions for choosing to embark on his vigilante journey. Daredevil himself questions what drives him, and whether the violence in which he engages has changed him, his Catholic faith prompting an existential examination.
Similar to the comic books, Daredevil doesn’t necessarily provide audiences with a simple answer. In a show that establishes why the world of Hell’s Kitchen needs a vigilante like Daredevil, it also introduces The Punisher’s unchecked brutality and indiscriminate violence to suggest that maybe it doesn’t. It’s exactly this – Goddard’s understanding of action blended with philosophic drama – is precisely what future installments in The Matrix franchise need. With The Matrix 5 still in the works, there will be plenty of time for Goddard to develop an engaging entry in the franchise.
The Matrix
RActionAdventureSci-FiWhere to Watch*Availability in US
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- rent
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In a dystopian future, hacker Neo (Keanu Reeves) learns about the Matrix, a simulated reality hiding the truth of humanity’s enslavement by machines. He joins rebels led by the mysterious Morpheus, who believes Neo is destined to free humanity. Betrayal leads to a deadly confrontation with villain Agent Smith as Neo discovers his true power, defeats his enemies, and promises to change the world.
- Director
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Lilly Wachowski
, Lana Wachowski - Release Date
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March 30, 1999
- Cast
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Keanu Reeves
, Laurence Fishburne
, Carrie-Anne Moss
, Hugo Weaving
, Gloria Foster
, Joe Pantoliano - Runtime
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136 minutes
The Matrix Reloaded
RActionAdventureSci-FiWhere to Watch*Availability in US
- stream
- rent
- buy
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- Director
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Lana Wachowski
, Lilly Wachowski - Release Date
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May 15, 2003
- Cast
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Keanu Reeves
, Laurence Fishburne
, Carrie-Anne Moss
, Hugo Weaving
, Jada Pinkett Smith
, Gloria Foster - Runtime
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138 Minutes
The Matrix Revolutions
rSci-FiActionWhere to Watch*Availability in US
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- rent
- buy
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The Matrix Revolutions is the third installment of the Wachowskis’ famous sci-fi saga. The movie picks up where the previous film “The Matrix Reloaded” left off, with Neo (Keanu Reeves) trapped in between the simulation and the real world. Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Monica Bellucci, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Lambert Wilson reprise their roles once again for the threequel.
- Director
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Lilly Wachowski
- Release Date
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October 27, 2003
- Cast
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Keanu Reeves
, Monica Bellucci
, Laurence Fishburne - Runtime
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129minutes
The Matrix Resurrections
RActionSci-FiThrillerWhere to Watch*Availability in US
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Set sixty years after The Matrix Revolutions, The Matrix Resurrections is a sci-fi action movie that sees the return of Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne moss nearly twenty years after the release of the previous film. Neo has become a game developer who struggles to grasp reality, and his concerns are validated when a new visage of Morpheus arrives to free him from his prison – a newly created Matrix. Learning that Trinity is alive and being held prisoner, Neo will join a new rebel force to save her and confront a new, dangerous foe known as the Analyst.
- Director
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Lana Wachowski
- Release Date
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December 22, 2021
- Cast
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Christina Ricci
, Keanu Reeves
, Carrie-Anne Moss
, Jessica Henwick
, Ellen Hollman
, Jonathan Groff - Runtime
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2h 28m
