With nostalgia continuing to help dictate the film world, seemingly any movie property could return to the silver screen for a reboot or long-awaited sequel. This includes The Wachowski's Matrix franchise, as director Lana Wachowski is back behind the camera for an upcoming fourth movie. The Matrix 4 (or whatever it will be titled) will feature the return of Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Ann Moss, who will be joining a new cast of actors. And now it seems another star is returning: Jada Pinkett Smith aka Niobe.
That's right, Neo and Trinity won't be the only OG residents of Zion who are returning to continue the war against artificial intelligence. Because while fans are thrilled to se the return of this dynamic duo, Jada Pinkett Smith is in talk to reprise her role as Niobe. Niobe is a supporting character in the two Matrix sequels, and was even the protagonist of her own video game. Clearly Smith knows the character well, and it looks like she may play her for a fourth time.
This news comes to us from Deadline, and is sure to excite the many fans of the Matrix franchise out there. While the upcoming sequel's story is a total mystery, it's becoming clear that The Matrix 4 will be intimately connected to the previous installments in the property. Because while a new story could be achieved by focusing on Neo and Trinity, more returning characters helps to flesh out the universe, and catch up on the fan favorites that helped occupy the steampunk property.
Niobe was a total badass during her appearances in the first two Matrix sequels. She's the best pilot of the rebel forces in real life, as well as an extremely capable within The Matrix itself. She was also notably sceptic on Neo's fate as The Chosen One. But she still fought the machines with everything she had, and believed in Neo as a leader.
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The role was specifically written for Jada Pinkett Smith, who was personally recruited by the Wachowskis ahead of The Matrix Reloaded filming. And aside from her big screen appearances, the character was also the protagonist of action adventure video game Enter the Matrix, which arrived in 2003 alongside the release of the first sequel. The Wachowskis directed that game, which included extra footage to help further expand the franchise.
Not much is known about The Matrix 4, but clearly the cast is slowly coming together. If Jada Pinkett Smith officially reprises her role, she'll be joining the likes of Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Ann Moss, Neil Patrick Harris, and Aquaman's Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. The latter two actors' roles are a mystery, although it was rumored that the Abdul-Mateen II could be playing a young version of Laurence Fishburne's Morphius. It's unclear if Fishburne will play his signature character again.
The Matrix 4 is expected to arrive sometime in 2022. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.
