Warner Bros has announced that a new installment in the iconic cyberpunk franchise, The Matrix, is in the works. The studio revealed that Drew Goddard, known for his work on The Martian, Cloverfield, and World War Z, will write and direct the upcoming movie.

This new addition to the series will mark the first film not directly involving its original creators, Lana or Lilly Wachowski. However, Lana is set to serve as an executive producer for the project. While details about the cast are yet to be confirmed, it remains uncertain whether the franchise’s stars, including Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie Anne-Moss, Hugo Weaving, and Jada Pinkett-Smith, will return for the new film.

Goddard, who earned an Oscar for best adapted screenplay for The Martian, boasts an impressive sci-fi portfolio, having worked on popular shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Alias, and Lost. He is also the creator of Marvel’s Daredevil and has contributed to various successful projects such as Cloverfield, The Cabin in the Woods, and World War Z.

Following the underwhelming box office performance of 2021’s The Matrix Resurrection, which was attributed in part to a same-day streaming release during the pandemic, Goddard pitched the idea for a new Matrix film to Warner Bros. Jesse Ehrman, Warner Bros Motion Pictures president of production, expressed excitement about Goddard’s vision, stating, ‘Drew came to Warner Bros with a new idea that we all believe would be an incredible way to continue the Matrix world, by both honoring what Lana and Lilly began over 25 years ago and offering a unique perspective based on his own love of the series and characters.’

The announcement has sparked anticipation among fans as they eagerly await the next chapter in the beloved franchise, which has captivated audiences for over two decades.