US actor Keanu Reeves and Canadian-born actress Carrie-Anne Moss pose for photographers on a terrace of the Palais des festivals during the photocall for "Matrix Reloaded" directed by the Wachowski brothers during the 56th Cannes film festival on 15 May 2003. - Twenty years after his debut as the elusive Neo in the first "Matrix", actor Keanu Reeves will take over the role of the cybernetic rebel with dark glasses for a fourth opus of this universe, with Lana Wachowski still directing. Keanu Reeves will be joined by his partner Carrie-Anne Moss, who will take over his role as Trinity. (Photo by FRANCOIS GUILLOT / AFP) / ALTERNATIVE CROP (Photo credit should read FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty Images)

A fourth Matrix film is officially happening with Keanu Reeves set to reprise his role as Neo. Here’s why now’s the perfect time for another Matrix movie.

Earlier today, Variety reported that another installment of The Matrix franchise will be written and directed by Lana Wachowski, with Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss returning to their roles as Neo and Trinity.

Fans have wanted this for a while now, and it’s finally happening at the perfect time. Keanu Reeves is a major piece of this as his stardom is at an all-time high. Audiences adored his performances in recent box office hits John Wick: Chapter 3 and Toy Story 4. There’s a strong and overwhelmingly positive meme culture surrounding Reeves as well. The public can’t seem to get enough of him, making it the opportune moment for him to reprise his most iconic role from The Matrix franchise.

While her popularity might not be on the same level of Keanu Reeves at the moment, Carrie-Anne Moss remains a prominent actor as well, with superhero fans following her portrayal of the complex character Jeri Hogarth in Marvel’s Jessica Jones.

Beyond Reeves’ star power, it’s the right time for this movie given the undeniably relevant content. Questions of free will and reality in an increasingly technological and artificial world were relevant when the first film released in 1999, but they are even more applicable in the present.

The internet and social media pervade society more than ever before, and virtual reality continues to become more ubiquitous as well. In today’s world, there is no clear-cut choice between the real world and the world of technology. These ideas can be difficult to grapple with, but The Matrix 4 can help audiences navigate these timely and difficult questions in a way that feels accessible and downright entertaining.

Now that the film is officially in the works and expected to begin production in 2020, it will be intriguing to see the narrative choices that are made, particularly given how things concluded in The Matrix Revolutions. While most fans didn’t like the sequels anywhere near as much as they liked the original, the third film did a decent job at tying up the story and providing a satisfying ending. It remains to be seen if Laurence Fishburne will reprise his role of Morpheus and reunite with co-stars Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss.

Regardless, it’s thrilling that the film is happening at a time when audiences deserve it.

Are you excited for a fourth Matrix film? Let us know in the comments!