The Matrix 4 movie will be released. Yes, on August 20, 2019, more than 20 years after the first Matrix film was released, Variety broke the news that the fourth film, which was expected to be a trilogy, will soon begin production.

When the first film was released, it was in the midst of fears about the Year 2000 problem, and its thematization of the relationship between technology and the "real world" fueled people's anxiety about the future. While our world (for better or worse) did not end in the year 2000, people's anxiety and curiosity about technology has only increased, and the theory that we are all living in a simulation has become increasingly popular in the past few years. [The plot of the Matrix films, in which humans are used as an energy source for sentient machines and exist in a simulated "our" world called the Matrix, definitely prompts such philosophical thinking, and a possible plot for the fourth film is how the world has changed over the past two decades The time is ripe for even more wild ideas based on how the world has changed over the past two decades.

The first three Matrix films, which grossed over $1.6 billion worldwide, spawned video games and animated films that have been cited and spoofed in countless other media and have had an indelible impact on pop culture. (And who hasn't actually tried the technique of dodging bullets while leaning backward and in slow motion?)

With the film's high box-office receipts and its influence on people's consciousness, it's surprising that a new film isn't coming out sooner rather than later. But better late than never. I'm sure you're as excited about this news as we are, so here's everything we know so far about Matrix 4.

Oops, before we get into the details: the Matrix 4 is definitely not a remake. At least two former cast members are confirmed to be returning, and since they are much older (although they may not look it), a prequel would not make sense. It is expected to be a full-fledged sequel to the series.

Variety confirmed that Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss from the original trilogy will reprise their roles as protagonists Thomas A. Anderson (aka Neo, The One) and Trinity, respectively, in The Matrix 4.

Most recently, Reeves co-starred with Winona Ryder in the Amazon Prime Video rom-com Destination Wedding and is a Canadian motorcycle stunt driver in Pixar's latest Toy Story film, Toy Story 4, He plays Duke Kaboom, a Canadian motorcycle stunt driver in Pixar's latest Toy Story film, Toy Story 4.

Meanwhile, Moss joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Jeri Hogarth, the tough and nails Jessica Jones' lawyer, and has appeared in sister shows Daredevil, Iron Fist, and The Defenders.

It is not yet known if other prominent cast members, including Laurence Fishburne as Morpheus, will return.

"The Matrix 4" will be a big (early) Christmas present for fans from HBO Max, which will be released on December 22, 2021.

When they left "The Matrix" after 2003's "Matrix Revolutions," the machines were at war with the humans of Zion, and it was up to Neo to make a deal to save all existence. This led to a climactic battle between Neo and Agent Smith, the latter posing a potentially greater threat than the machines. Neo sacrificed himself to eradicate Smith and reactivate the Matrix, bringing temporary peace to Zion.

Unfortunately, little is known so far about the plot of the fourth film, except that it will be "set in the Matrix world." It will be interesting to see how Reeves will rejoin the franchise now that Neo is presumed dead, but with the overwhelmingly positive reaction to news of "Matrix 4" on social media, more details will be revealed in the near future.

The film is currently only called "Matrix 4," but that title is likely to change as the film's release date approaches (as with "Bond 25," which just announced its official title, "No Time to Die," yesterday). [Given the titles of the two Matrix sequels, The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, another R-word subtitle is likely. Renegade; Restitution. Reloaded. Now, we admit that these are all bad guesses, but as more information becomes available, we will bring you updates in Tom's Guide.

Lana Wachowski of the Wachowski family, the sister team that wrote and directed the first three "Matrix" films, will return to write and direct "Matrix 4". Working with the Woschawskis on the screenplay will be novelists Aleksandar Hemon and David Mitchell, who together wrote the script for the Woschawskis' short-lived but cult favorite Netflix show "Sense8." Lana's sister, Lily, is reportedly not coming back for reasons unknown, but it's safe to say the film is still in good hands.