Keanu Reeves’ fans (including the writer of this piece) are going crazy thinking about how John Wick 4 and Matrix 4 will pan out – but neither of the epic sequels to epic trilogies may end on a happy note.

Neither John Wick 4 nor Matrix 4 will have a happy ending. | Newsline | DKODING Studio

Keanu reeves Matrix 4 and Johnee Wick 4: “Guns. Lots of Guns.” The iconic dialogue resurfaced in John Wick 2 and was the first connection between two of Reeves’ most iconic movie series. Last week brought in an amalgamation of fandom, combined and catalysed by Reeves’ resurgence.

For Fans, Both Matrix 4 and John Wick 4 walk on thin ice: Keanu Do it?

The “Internet sweetheart” action hero is gearing up to make sequels to two of his most epic trilogies – Matrix 4 and John Wick 4. This is news! Big news for sure. Both the banners have been cult hits with dedicated fanbase. And both have made it huge on the box office.

Ho-ly crap. Keanu Reeves is putting the shades back on and plugging in for a whole new sequel to #TheMatrix. https://t.co/M7MIaItEam pic.twitter.com/uelMWpGjY1 — Trent Moore (@trentlmoore) August 20, 2019

Keanu Reeves’ “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum” dethroned “Avengers: Endgame” with a first weekend grossing of a massive $57 million. Consequently, Lionsgate has announced a fourth movie is already “in the works”.

Lionsgate graced fans with the message: “You have served. You will be of service. ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ is coming – May 21, 2021.”

On the other hand, Keanu Reeves’ fans were relieved and ecstatic to have confirmation of a news they’ve been foreseeing since 2017. Yes. Matrix 4 is in the mix. Reeves’ will be back on screen as Neo, and so will Carrie Anne-Moss as Trinity, as Lana Wachowski thinks there’s a script that will do justice.

The timing is perfect; but why?

John Wick 4 is aptly timed, resonating huge with fans and Reeves’ formidable social following. On the other hand, Matrix 4 may be a different banner, but apart from the Matrix loyalists, it’s also banking on the two parameters shared – John Wick’s and Keanu Reeves’ cult status.

Video Credits: Wochit Entertainment

It is well-known that the two “Matrix” sequels were critically received and failed to match up to the first film. But the franchise did make a $1.6 billion mark on worldwide box office in its age. But one thing is for sure – None of the movies will have a happy ending. No, we’re not just speculating, but relying on facts and analysis which will hopefully prove this true.

John Wick – Walking into the sunset… Really?

John Wick is a cold-blooded assassin. Period. He may have been in love with a gorgeous woman and a devout pet owner, but now he has nothing to look forward to. So unrelenting and unemotional killing will make sure that fans get the treat they expect.

But hints from Keanu Reeves himself tells the movie (Matrix 4) is for the fans and not to bring any justice to his alter ego, John Wick.

Interacting with GQ, Reeves had said, “As far as my legs can take me,” he said. “As far as the audience wants to go.”

But that paints a different picture. For fans, John Wick is not a figure they live with and care for. A following built up with three epic movies want to see Wick get out of his misery, many secretly pray for him. But if you think that’s the trajectory part 4 will be taking, be warned!

“As far as my legs can take me. As far as the audience wants to go.” – Keanu Reeves | Newsline | DKODING | Image Credits: Fanfest.com

John Wick trilogy director Chad Stahleski opened up to Indiewire, warning fans against hoping for Wick to see a happy ending in the fourth film…. or ever. Stahelski said, “John may survive all this (expletive) but at the end of it, there’s no happy ending. He’s got nowhere to go.”

Stahleski said, “Do you think he’s going to ride off into the sunset? He’s killed 300 people and he’s just going to walk away, everything’s okay?

And it doesn’t end there. Stahleski gave a good idea why “He’s just going to fall in love with a love interest? If you’re this guy if this guy really exists, how is this guy’s day going to end? He’s (expletive) for the rest of his life. It’s just a matter of time.”

What may be big: Continental vs High-Table

While Wick may not get to have a happy ending, we have some speculation which will make part 4 epic. And it comes straight from the mind of Keanu Reeves, who gave his version on the Empire Podcast.

Video Credits: Ayesha Saleem

In Reeves words, “I think the opening of the film should be Wick just trying to escape from New York. Literally trying to get off the island. Maybe he asks the Bowery King [Lawrence Fishburne] for help. Maybe John Leguizamo comes and helps me out. “John, I can’t do it, you’re excommunicado!” Maybe the High Table shows up. And then the High Table starts firing guns.”

And then maybe this kind of thing starts to happen between the High Table and Continental? Maybe John is the activator of this confrontation, and perhaps there’s a war? Wouldn’t that be awesome?! – Keanu Reeves

But while this is to be given weight, Keanu will play Wick and not write his story. That’s up to director Chad Stahelski and writer Derek Kolstad.

Matrix 4: Only for fans that never learn

Matrix 4 will surely be a resonating blockbuster – more so because we’re now in a world that is more relatable to the Matrix – both technologically and politically. But with the well-known fact that the first movie’s cinematic perfection and storyline was hardly achieved in the next two, it would have been better for the franchise to take the blue pill.

Video Credits: ET Canada

Keanu is in. But its not because of the story per se. He’s in because Lana Wachowski is a genius and thinks she has a script. And Wachowski is in because Keanu has again reached the Matrix cult status with John Wick.

Neo dies at the end of Matrix Revolutions. Reeves’ teased journalists, “People die, stories don’t. People in stories don’t.”

And there’s a rumour that Wachowskis are planning a whole new Matrix trilogy. So, if its that carefully curated, perhaps our worst fears will remain just fears.

“People die, stories don’t. People in stories don’t.” – Keanu Reeves | Newsline | DKODING | Image Credits: Indian Express

But although we Matrix fans can’t contain our excitement; it might bite us back. Ofcourse we’ve never learnt and always want more. But “The Matrix” was never made to be a trilogy. Wachowskis expanded their vision for the world only after affirming box office success. And that did show, with storylines that had a tough time being consumed and taking away some of the sheen from the unprecedented original movie.

Morphing the Holy Trinity with Neo arrivals

Critics believe Lana Wachowski is well aware of the lukewarm reception to the two sequels and is envisioning part 4 as a chance at redemption. But the news that Matrix 4 is in the pipeline with several key stars returning is sort of misleading.

The third pivotal character apart from Neo and Trinity – Morpheus – was played by Lawrence Fishburne who has decided against featuring Matrix 4.

In principle, the new cast is mostly made up of Matrix veterans Lana Wachowski writing and directing, and Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss starring. The conceptual designer Geof Darrow is also in the team. But major names are missing too.

Lana Wachowski will write and direct a fourth movie in #TheMatrix franchise.



Both Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss will reprise their roles as Neo and Trinity. pic.twitter.com/t8rebBcCj7 — Rotten Tomatoes (@RottenTomatoes) August 20, 2019

Co-director Lilly Wachowski is busy with a Showtime dramedy called Work in Progress and won’t be involved. The other pivotal character apart from Neo and Trinity – Morpheus – who carried the original in many ways has decided against featuring the part 4. This means that one of the biggest roles will be recast. This fuels speculation if a new actor would be able to justice to the role that Fishburne sparked to life and legend.

Only Hope can break the Code

But there’s one ray of hope. Lana Wachowski’s has roped in Aleksandar Hemon and David Mitchell as co-screenwriters. The duo are exceptionally well-known literary novelists who are imaginative, and write fiction that is intellectually engaging. This is perhaps the most exciting information about Matrix so far.

Video Credits: Wochit News

And more importantly, the world has changed much in 20 years. Undoubtedly, it fits the realm of imagination that the Matrix trilogy brought forth. As Lana opined, “Many of the ideas Lilly and I explored 20 years ago about our reality are even more relevant now. I’m very happy to have these characters back in my life and grateful for another chance to work with my brilliant friends.”

The production for Matrix 4 is scheduled to begin in early 2020 which means the movie won’t hit screens before summertime 2021. Keanu Reeves can’t wait for Matrix 4.

But then this all could fall totally flat and incorrect. After all, we haven’t forgotten the biggest lesson from Matrix – “You take the red pill – you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes.”

P.S. Yes we’re all set and ready to take the red pill again.