‘The Matrix: Resurrections’: Keanu Reeves Says Cast ‘Barely Rehearsed at All’ Compared to Original Trilogy

Fans became curious and thrilled when news came out about another movie in The Matrix franchise. Some wondered if The Matrix Resurrections would be a sequel or a reboot. While it is a sequel to the third film, the co-writer explained that the movie also was somewhat autonomous. The cast has provided interviews about their involvement with the upcoming film. Keanu Reeves reflected on the differences between The Matrix Resurrections and the original trilogy — and a notable change was the amount of time the stars rehearsed before shooting.

‘The Matrix’ quickly became a cultural phenomenon

The Matrix made a huge impact in popular culture when it arrived in theaters in 1999. People around the world were able to connect with the sci-fi action film. The movie made $463 million globally from ticket sales, and the studio had the directors make it into a trilogy, with The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions released in 2003.

Not only did the trilogy’s success bring the actors immense fame, but various aspects of the franchise became iconic. Fans immediately associate black trench coats and sunglasses with The Matrix, for example. And the company that made the glasses released a special edition upon the movie’s popularity. The futuristic wardrobe of the protagonists no doubt influenced other costume designers as well. Of course, specific filmmaking techniques would become iconic as well. For example, other properties would mimic the game-changing “bullet time” scene as a tribute to the film.

Fans have been excitedly waiting for the continuation of the story, but they should expect some changes. For example, Lana Wachowski is the only director, so there are going to be differences in the style and direction of the film. Some people have noticed that the movie appeared more vibrant in the trailer. 

Keanu Reeves revealed that the cast barely rehearsed for ‘The Matrix Resurrections’

The behind-the-scenes of the fourth installment also experienced changes compared to the original movie. According to IndieWire, Keanu Reeves revealed what it was like on the set of The Matrix Resurrections. He stated that the cast “barely rehearsed, if at all.” 

Before, everyone took time to prepare, and Keanu Reeves spent a few months training for the action sequences in The Matrix Resurrections. However, the actor explained that Wachowski’s approach is different this time around. The director originally was more hands-on while still staying behind the monitor.

For The Matrix Resurrections, Wachowski focused more on the camera’s movement than on rehearsing. Her concern was the cast and crew finding “the unexpected in the moment.” Other cast members mentioned her directing methods.

Neil Patrick Harris called Wachowski’s style “filming on the fly.” Instead of setting up various lights for a shot, everyone would wait until the desired natural lighting appeared. They would film the scenes quickly before the clouds returned. As a result, the production did not feel like a major one.

What can fans expect to see in the fourth installment?

Much of the plot of The Matrix Resurrections is still under wraps. Wachowski did explain that a big part of the narrative is “the power of technology to trap or limit our subjective reality.” However, reports have revealed that people can expect some humor and more.

What fans already know is that Neo and Trinity are still around in the Matrix. Neo calls himself Thomas Anderson and believes the events of the previous movies were all a dream. The trailer also provided hints as to where his body is in the real world.

The original actors for Neo and Trinity came back to reprise their roles. Still, there have been several cast changes. A new Morpheus appears, but Laurence Fishburne is not playing the character. Additionally, Hugo Weaving will not star as Agent Smith.

Neil Patrick Harris, Jessica Henwick, and Jonathan Groff have joined the ensemble. Fans can watch The Matrix Resurrections in theaters and HBO Max on Dec. 22, 2021.