In a rather surprising development, we've learned that Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, 28 Days Later) is set to direct a stage musical/dance adaptation of The Matrix titled Free Your Mind.
Variety (via SFFGazette.com)reports that the British filmmaker's production has been licensed by Warner Bros. Theater Ventures (so there shouldn't be any The People's Joker-like controversy), and is set to premiere in October 2023 as the inaugural show of Factory International, a new arts venue opening in Manchester, England.
Playwright Sabrina Mahfouz is on board as writer, with artist Es Devlin providing "large scale sculptures" for the show. Michael "Mikey J" Asante has been enlisted as composer, with Kenrick "H2O" Sandy as choreographer.
"Combining the hip-hop choreography of hundreds of dancers with the latest immersive design, Free Your Mind will take audiences on a thrilling journey through The Matrix and into a new realm of possibilities," reads the official synopsis. "This eye-opening production will stretch across the building's ultra-flexible spaces, responding to them and harnessing the collective energy of the moment."
Lana and Lilly Wachowski's 1999 classic is still considered one of the greatest sci-fi/action movies of all time. Sequels Reloaded and Revolutions do have their defenders, but are generally seen as disappointing follow-ups. Lana Wachowski returned to helm 2021's The Matrix Resurrections, which was... also a movie.
This may seem like an odd endeavour, but The Matrix's balletic action sequences should actually translate pretty well to the stage.
Check out a promo image for Free Your Mind below, and let us know if you plan on catching this show (there are no US dates at this time).
About The Author:
Mark Cassidy is a writer, photographer, amateur filmmaker, and Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic from Dublin, Ireland.