The Matrix: Keanu Reeves takes over the role of the fourth chapter

Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss will return in a fourth installment of the sci-fi franchise The Matrix, while Reeves returns to his leading role as a Neo hacker.

Matrix co-creator Lana Wachowski will write, direct and produce the film, a third successful sequel to 1999.

Ms. Wachowski celebrated the return of The Matrix, stating that many of the ideas he is exploring are "even more relevant now."

The first three films of the franchise have grossed more than $ 1.6 billion at the global box office.

Toby Emmerich, president of Warner Bros. Pictures Group, announced the new film on Tuesday, saying the studio "could not be more excited" about his return.

"Lana is a true visionary – an original and unique creative filmmaker – and we are delighted that she is writing, directing and producing this new chapter," he said.

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The original film was released 20 years ago and tells the story of Neo and his discovery that humanity is trapped in a simulated reality. It has been a major success and has spawned two sequels – The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions.

The third installment is the first film to be released simultaneously at the same time around the world.

Rumors about a fourth chapter have been circulating since 2017, reports that Warner Bros. was "in the early stages of recovery."

In a statement on Tuesday, Ms Wachowski declared herself "very happy to find these characters in my life and grateful for having a new chance to work with my brilliant friends".

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