The Matrix Resurrections Plot Details And Images Promise A Movie That 'Throws Down The Matrix Gauntlet Again'

Party like it's 1999 all over again. In 2021 alone, we've received a "Space Jam" sequel, a "Friends" reunion, a prequel to "The Sopranos," and now we're collectively looking forward to yet another "Matrix" sequel ... which is, apparently, not just another sequel.

It's still hard to believe that Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Lana Wachowski are all returning to their familiar roles in this very familiar, yet no less groundbreaking world of "The Matrix." It's no exaggeration to say that the original landmark sci-fi blockbuster changed everything when it was released at the turn of the millennium, perfectly timed to dive deep into the existential fears of a human race on the brink of a new, exciting, and terrifying time in history. It's hard to convey those visceral emotions to anyone who wasn't around at the time, but perhaps watching "The Matrix Resurrections" will come close to evoking that period while simultaneously plunging us into the future.

Either way, we have less than a month to go before we enter the Matrix once again, and Reeves, Moss, Wachowski, and the rest of the creative team are finally lifting the veil -- slightly, at least -- to discuss some intriguing details about this enigmatic fourth film.

"Heart And Humanity"

Though Lana Wachowski will be going solo on directing duties with "The Matrix Resurrections," we can officially say that the gang is back together and ready to deliver even more of what audiences loved -- and potentially some of the stuff they didn't! -- the first time around. With the film's Christmastime release just around the corner (how is it almost December already???), Entertainment Weekly spoke with much of the cast and crew and managed to elicit quite a few fascinating tidbits about the upcoming film. For one thing, we can expect an extension of the technology-focused narrative of the original trilogy in this new film, the story of which apparently "exploded rather fully formed" from Lana Wachowski's mind.

According to the director:

"Technology paradoxically brought us closer together while also isolating or inculcating us from each other. The power of technology to trap or limit our subjective reality was an important part of the new narrative for 'Matrix Resurrections.'

"Art is a mirror. Most will prefer to gaze at the surface but there will be people like me who enjoy what lies behind the looking glass. I made this movie for them."

In addition to justifying the return of Neo and Trinity (who are described in the report to be "seemingly alive and well, but their minds are locked away inside the Matrix, which has become more dangerous"), "Resurrections" is tasked with living up to the expectations of the original. According to Reeves, "It's throwing down the Matrix gauntlet again; it's super smart, clever, entertaining, suspenseful, and funny."

The highly emotional love story between Neo and Trinity appears to be intact, as well, with newcomer Jonathan Groff -- casually referred to as "a suit who might be more than he appears to be" -- remarking that "When I read the script for this movie I cried, because the idea of watching these two iconic actors in these two iconic parts coming back and fighting to have their love again just wrecked me."

The Entertainment Weekly report also included a few new looks at the film which you can see below, putting Groff, Toby Onwumere, Eréndira Ibarra, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Jessica Henwick's characters in the spotlight.

"The Matrix Resurrections" comes to theaters on December 23, 2021.