The Matrix 5 is in the works, Warner Bros. confirms

The Matrix 5 will be 'an incredible way to continue the Matrix world'

The studio confirmed that a fifth installment in the franchise is in development, with The Martian screenwriter Drew Goddard in charge of production.

This means the upcoming film will be the first Matrix movie not to have Lana of Lily Wachowski as directors.

Instead, Lana Wachowski - who directed and wrote the most recent installment, The Matrix Resurrections - will be an executive producer on the film, Variety reports.

It is not yet clear which actors will be returning for the Matrix 5. Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss have anchored all of the prior movies as Neo and Trinity, while the likes of Jonathan Groff, Neil Patrick Harris and Priyanka Chopra Jonas joined the franchise in Resurrections.

In a statement, Warner Bros. Motion Pictures president of production Jesse Ehrman said the Matrix 5 will be "an incredible way to continue the Matrix world."

He said: “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 entire team at Warner Bros. Discovery is thrilled for Drew to be making this new ‘Matrix’ film, adding his vision to the cinematic canon the Wachowskis’ spent a quarter of a century building here at the studio.”

Meanwhile Goddard, whose other writing credits include World War X and The Cabin in the Woods, said: “It is not hyperbole to say ‘The Matrix’ films changed both cinema and my life.

“Lana and Lilly’s exquisite artistry inspires me on a daily basis, and I am beyond grateful for the chance to tell stories in their world.”

The news of a fifth Matrix film comes despite the fact that Resurrections was a huge box office disappointment.

The movie, which was the first Matrix film in 18 years, grossed just $159 million worldwide against its $190 million budget. Resurrections set the world alight for critics either, holding a score of 63 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes.

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