It's a toss-up whether the bigger star of the Matrix movies is Reeves or the series' incredible special effects. To ensure the ongoing high quality of those effects and the participation of the staff behind them, Reeves gave up "points" that normally pay an actor hugely after release of the movie. According to The Wall Street Journal, his contract for The Matrix's two sequels, The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, gave up part of his claim to a share of the profits of these movies so that more money would be available for the special effects and costume departments. Not an outright cash gift, this generous move made a huge amount of money available to the ensuing productions in the popular franchise.

An executive who spoke with The Wall Street Journal commented, "He felt that they were the ones who made the movie and that they should participate." The money put back into the productions allowed for great staffs and high level creative achievement. Though Reeves' payday was still significant, the compensation he passed up was in the millions.