Lilly Wachowski Shares Her Stance on ‘The Matrix 5’

Legacy franchises often face challenges when attempting to revive themselves, and few have as much creative history as ‘The Matrix’. Warner Bros. has been exploring ways to expand the sci-fi saga for years, even as the original filmmakers have pursued other projects.

This tension has become more apparent as Drew Goddard’s long-awaited fifth installment progresses through development. Announced back in April 2024, the project remains largely under wraps, with plot details, casting, and the involvement of the franchise’s original creators still uncertain.

Recently, Lilly Wachowski addressed this uncertainty directly. In an interview with Kim Masters on KCRW’s The Business, Wachowski expressed her lack of interest in returning to the universe she co-created with her sister Lana, stating she’s “kind of done” with the franchise, as reported by The Playlist.

Despite her distance from the project, Wachowski noted that Goddard will not proceed without some form of approval from her and Lana. “And if we want to pass on our blessing to Drew or not,” she said, according to The Playlist, adding that whether the sisters will grant that blessing “could be something that’s coming down the road, but it’s still unknown.”

Wachowski also indicated that the door isn’t completely closed on her involvement, even if directing is not in her plans. She and Lana may still “stick our noses in a tiny bit” before ultimately deciding on their support, suggesting they could provide input without taking full creative control.

Goddard, known for writing ‘The Martian’ and directing ‘The Cabin in the Woods’, is set to write and direct the new film, producing alongside his partner Sarah Esberg through their banner Goddard Textiles, according to Variety. Lana Wachowski remains involved as an executive producer, a role she held during her sole directing credit on 2021’s ‘The Matrix Resurrections’.

Goddard has kept details under wraps, previously declining to confirm whether Keanu Reeves or Carrie-Anne Moss will reprise their roles as Neo and Trinity, according to World of Reel. When asked about this, Goddard reportedly stated he “can’t speak to that,” leaving fans to speculate about potential returns from the franchise’s ensemble.

Warner Bros. Motion Pictures president of production Jesse Ehrman previously described the new film as an effort to honor what Lana and Lilly have built over the past 25 years while allowing Goddard the freedom to bring his own vision to the material, according to Variety. This balancing act—respecting the franchise’s legacy while exploring new directions without its original creators—seems to be the tightrope Goddard is currently navigating as he awaits the Wachowskis’ input.

For a franchise centered on themes of control, autonomy, and resisting predetermined paths, it’s ironic that Warner Bros. needs permission from its own creators to proceed. Whether that blessing will be granted, and what form ‘Matrix 5’ will take if it is, remains to be seen.

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