There was talk of a Matrix reboot long before Resurrections was officially announced, and even though none of these earlier projects ever came to fruition, it sounds like Warner Bros. was planning to move forward with a fourth instalment with or without director Lana Wachowski.
Though her sister and co-director Lilly declined to return, Lana did ultimately agree to helm The Matrix 4, and the end result is the highly divisive film that's currently playing in theaters and on HBO Max.
While speaking to Collider, producer James McTeigue - who worked with the Wachowskis on the original trilogy - seemingly confirmed that a fourth Matrix movie would have happened regardless.
"Look... I think when you've had a franchise with that much potential money making capability, there's always talk. It's in the same way that the Marvel universe repeats and turns in on itself, or you have Spider-Man, or you have Iron Man, or Thor. There's always a potential to update those movies just because of the possibility of making the money and telling new stories."
"I shouldn't say it's just a purely fiscal thought," the V for Vendetta director continued. "But yeah, look, there was versions out there, but they hadn't landed on the right version. So when Lana eventually came back around and said, 'Look. I'm interested in making another movie,' of course, they went with the filmmaker who was the genesis of the Matrix."
Some see The Matrix Resurrections' self-aware/meta first act as something of a middle-finger to Warner Bros. for even considering making the movie with another director, and while there might be an element of truth to this, it's highly unlikely that the studio failed to pick up on it!
Wachowski recently shot down reports that a new trilogy is in the works (probably for the best given the current movie's BO performance), and McTeigue also plainly states, "We've got no prequel in mind. We've got no sequel in mind. We've got no further trilogy.”
What did you guys think of Resurrections? Do you feel its detractors are being too harsh? You can check out our review here.