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While the fate of Village Roadshow, the prominent producer and financier of films such as “The Matrix” and “Joker” which filed for Chapter 11 in the U.S. earlier this week, is up in the air, Vine Alternative Investments, the former white knight which rescued the company from heavy financial woes in 2017, is ready to move on.

But it won’t run away, says CEO James Moore, speaking to Variety while on a business trip in Paris.

Village Roadshow’s financial strain (estimated at $223.8 million in asset-backed secured notes and $163.1 million of senior secured debt according to court documents) have been an open secret in Hollywood: they even made it onto the Writers Guild of America’s “strike list” after allegedly failing to pay its writers on several projects. The company also lost its well-respected CEO, Steve Mosko, back in January. Yet, the news of the bankruptcy filing has been met with skepticism within the industry.

After filing for bankruptcy this week, Village Roadshow’s vast collection of films – from The Matrix to Wonka – will be sold to the highest bidder.

Just yesterday we covered the rather sombre news that Village Roadshow had filed for bankruptcy after losing a legal war of attrition with Warner Bros studio over the latter’s decision to release The Matrix Resurrections straight onto its streaming platform back in 2021 in the wake of the global pandemic.

Despite being a decades-long producing and financing partner of Warner Bros, that long and fruitful relationship (stretching back to 1999 and the first instalment of The Matrix) wasn’t enough to convince Warner Bros to reconsider its decision and the studio’s entire 2021 slate of films was placed directly onto Max, earning the significant displeasure of other creative partners in the process.

Sensing that its own profits would be impacted by this decision, Village Roadshow took Warner Bros to court,...

Training is over, as the stakes of Mortal Kombat 2's tournament will have consequences for the film and the franchise moving forward. It has been four years since Mortal Kombat debuted in theaters and on Max, and the long-anticipated sequel Mortal Kombat 2 is set to hit theaters in October 2025. A common criticism of 2021's Mortal Kombat was how it essentially acted as a set-up for the epic tournament played in the games, but it is now the main selling point of the sequel and a major factor in the narrative.

Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Mortal Kombat video game co-creator and creative director of NetherRealm Studios Ed Boon spoke about the stakes of Mortal Kombat 2. If Earthrealm loses its 10th consecutive tournament against Outworld, then the villain Shao Kahn (played by Martin Ford) will be allowed to invade Earth and take over. Boon notably highlighted the tournament nature...

Village Roadshow Entertainment hit Delaware court today after filing for Chapter 11 amid a sea of red ink, legal costs and debt that’s been ratcheting up financial pressure on the indie producer and financier.

A lawyer for the company told a judge at a hearing that the company is “open to all bids” for its primary asset, according Reuters, meaning a film library that throws off about $50 million a year in revenue. The library is coming to market with a so-called stalking horse offer of $365 million from Content Partners.

Attorney Justin Bernbrock said in court that his client’s longtime partner-turned-adversary Warner Bros. could also bid for film rights, as per Reuters. Most of Village Roadshow’s prize films, including The Matrix and Ocean’s franchises, were co-produced with Warner.

The two have been in costly mediation since 2022 when Village Roadshow filed a claim against Warner over its day-and-day streaming...

The company behind movies like The Matrix, Joker, Ocean’s Eleven, and The Lego Movie has filed for bankruptcy. Per Variety, film producer and financier Village Roadshow Entertainment Group, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware on March 17, with $223.8 million in asset-backed secured notes and $163.1 million of senior secured debt, per court documents.

The filing news comes as Village Roadshow continues to be in a long and expensive legal fight with its longtime partner Warner Bros. concerning the 2021 Matrix sequel, The Matrix Resurrections. Village Roadshow sued Warner Bros. after the studio released The Matrix Resurrections on the streamer Max on the same day it debuted in theaters.

Things Started to Go Down Hill in 2022

In 2022, Warner Bros. filed for arbitration, and according to WB court filings, Village Roadshow did not provide a payment that exceeded $100 million under its co-financing deal on The Matrix Resurrections. Village Roadshow filed a suit a week later...

What film of the modern digital age is the most iconic? If you thought The Matrix, then you're right there next to most cinema and sci-fi fans. The genre-defining 1999 film made by the Wachowski sisters, which brings even Keanu Reeves to tears when thinking about its impact, was made for $63 million and has now resulted in a franchise that has grossed $1.6 billion worldwide over the years. So, it'll probably come as a shock to hear the production and financing company behind one of the most successful sci-fi films of all time has just filed for bankruptcy.

Village Roadshow Entertainment Group has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, and it isn't completely due to their own actions. The studio that brought audiences hits like Joker, Ocean's Eleven, and The Lego Movie is closing its doors, but not without some previous effort to turn things around. Village Roadshow had a long-standing partnership with...

Village Roadshow Entertainment Group, the renowned film producer and financier that has backed “The Matrix,” “Ocean’s Eleven,” “Joker” and “The Lego Movie” franchises, has filed for bankruptcy protection in the U.S.

The U.S. company filed for Chapter 11 in Delaware on Monday, with $223.8 million in asset-backed secured notes and $163.1 million of senior secured debt, according to court documents. The news comes amid a long-drawn out and expensive legal battle with its long-standing partner Warner Bros. over “The Matrix Resurrections,” a 2021 sequel to the sci-fi series.

Village Roadshow had sued for breach of contract after WB released the feature on Max the same day as theaters.

“The company historically enjoyed a prolific co-production, co-financing and co-ownership relationship with WB, which included the production, ownership and derivative rights flowing from 89 titles – including the ‘Matrix’ franchise – and comprised the vast majority of the Debtors’ business,” the documents filed on Monday read.

“The...

Village Roadshow Entertainment Group has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, TheWrap has learned.

The production company behind “The Matrix,” “Joker,” “Wonka” and “Ocean’s 8” previously sued Warner Bros. for breach of contract after their co-producer dropped “The Matrix Resurrections” on Max the same day as its theatrical release, a detail they reiterated in their paperwork.

“The company historically enjoyed a prolific co-production, co-financing and co-ownership relationship with WB, which included the production, ownership and derivative rights flowing from 89 titles – including the ‘Matrix’ franchise – and comprised the vast majority of the Debtors’ business,” the documents filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware and obtained by TheWrap on Monday read.

They continued, “The WB arbitration has caused the company to incur more than $18,000,000 in legal fees, nearly all of which remain unpaid, and presents the threat of a potential arbitration award that could flatten the company’s balance sheet,...

Carrie-Anne Moss is opening up about rejecting offers after The Matrix.

The 57-year-old actress starred in the movie franchise as Trinity, with the first being released in 1999.

While she had potential to continue taking on big roles, Carrie-Anne turned down offers as she had another idea of a path to take.

Keep reading to find out more…

“After The Matrix was such a big deal, I took a big, big break to have children and be with them,” she told The Independent. “I remember being torn, having a little twinge like ‘Gosh, I’m getting offered such great things. That would be such a huge deal.’ And I was holding my baby in my arms, and I remember thinking, ‘At the end of my life, will it matter to me that I have another movie on my résumé? Or will it matter to me that I held my baby?’ And I instantly thought,...

After The Matrix made Carrie-Anne Moss a household name, she was offered a wave of major Hollywood roles. However, at the time, the actor opted to turn them down.

Speaking to The Independent, Moss said she decided to step away from acting to focus on raising her family. "After The Matrix was such a big deal, I took a big, big break to have children and be with them," she said. "I remember being torn, having a little twinge like, 'Gosh, I’m getting offered such great things. That would be such a huge deal.' And I was holding my baby in my arms, and I remember thinking, 'At the end of my life, will it matter to me that I have another movie on my résumé? Or will it matter to me that I held my baby?' And I instantly thought, no. It was just a no-brainer.

Carrie-Anne Moss has spoken about stepping away from Hollywood at the height of her career to focus on raising her children. The actress, best known for playing Trinity in The Matrix franchise, turned down major film offers following the success of the trilogy to prioritize her family.

“After The Matrix was such a big deal, I took a big, big break to have children and be with them,” Moss said in a recent interview with The Independent. “I remember being torn, having a little twinge like, ‘Gosh, I’m getting offered such great things. That would be such a huge deal.’ And I was holding my baby in my arms, and I remember thinking, ‘At the end of my life, will it matter to me that I have another movie on my résumé? Or will it matter to me that I held my baby?’ And I instantly thought, no. It was just a no-brainer.

Carrie-Anne Moss has no regrets about choosing to focus on motherhood over her career.

During a recent interview with The Independent, the actress opened up about her reasoning for turning down big movie deals at the height of her career, when The Matrix franchise was skyrocketing.

“After The Matrix was such a big deal, I took a big, big break to have children and be with them,” Moss explained. “I remember being torn, having a little twinge like, ‘Gosh, I’m getting offered such great things. That would be such a huge deal.'”

She continued, “And I was holding my baby in my arms, and I remember thinking, ‘At the end of my life, will it matter to me that I have another movie on my résumé? Or will it matter to me that I held my baby?’ And I instantly thought, no. It was just a no-brainer. And...

Carrie-Anne Moss recently gave an interview to The Independent and said she has no regrets after pulling back from her acting career amid the skyrocketing success of “The Matrix” franchise. Moss starred as Trinity opposite Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne in the Wachowski’s 1999 action classic and its two sequels, “The Matrix Reloaded” and “The Matrix Revolutions,” both released in 2003. She strategically declined major offers after the trilogy wrapped in order to become a mom and prioritize her family.

“After ‘The Matrix’ was such a big deal, I took a big, big break to have children and be with them,” Moss told the publication. “I remember being torn, having a little twinge like ‘Gosh, I’m getting offered such great things. That would be such a huge deal.’ And I was holding my baby in my arms, and I remember thinking, ‘At the end of my life, will it matter...

Christina Ricci has been an accomplished actress and has starred in several popular films and series since her big screen debut in Mermaids (1990). But one role she missed out on was that of Mathilda in the classic 1994 film, Léon: The Professional, losing out to Natalie Portman. And in a new interview with the YouTube show, First We Feast (via The Wrap), Ricci reveals the ridiculous reason why: she was "too common and healthy looking."

That may come as a surprise to some, considering one of Ricci's most famous roles was the rather gothic Wednesday Addams in the early 1990s hit film, The Addams Family and its sequel. She explained to her Yellowjackets co-star Melanie Lynskey why she lost out on her "dream role:"

"I really wanted to be in 'Léon: The Professional,' but I was too common and healthy-looking. What a time to be twelve."

Léon: The Professional,...

Wonder Man star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II has been cast in the upcoming heist thriller, Ghostman series for Sony Pictures Television, which is based on the novel of the same name by Roger Hobbs. The actor launched a production company called House Eleven10 to produce various dramas for Sony TV, and this will be the first show.

The official logline for Ghostman was released by Sony TV:

"The Ghostman specializes in making things disappear, but when a botched casino heist leaves millions in cash up for grabs, he has just 48 hours to clean up the mess—while staying ahead of someone who wants him dead."

Abdul-Mateen II has been in several high-profile movies and TV shows, and won an Emmy for Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series for Watchmen. He's also starred in Aquaman and its sequel, The Handmaid's Tale, The Get Down, Black Mirror, and The Matrix Resurrections. Abdul-Mateen...

Stars: Douglas Smith, Kimberly-Sue Murray, Carrie-Anne Moss, Frank Grillo, Jonathan Cherry | Written and Directed by Lowell Dean

Die Alone is the most recent film from Saskatchewan-based filmmaker Lowell Dean. If you’ve heard of him, it’s probably because of the over-the-top genre comedies WolfCop and Another WolfCop. But he’s done several other films, including the zombie film 13 Eerie and the post-apocalyptic action film SuperGrid, which I was lucky enough to catch along with a Q&a session with him at the Saskatoon Fantastic Film Festival a few years back.

Both zombies and a post-apocalyptic setting return in Die Alone, but it’s not a typical tale of the zombie apocalypse, although that isn’t easy to tell from the opening scenes. Ethan and his girlfriend Emma were heading to his cabin when their car crashed. Ethan wakes up to find Emma and most of his memories, are missing.

Exclusive: Comedy feature The Pick Up Artist has wrapped post production. Written, directed by, and starring Alvaro Orlando (I Am Not a Hipster), the film also features Evan Ross (The Hunger Games), Alexis Knapp (Pitch Perfect), Andrew Lewis Caldwell (The Matrix Resurrections), and Leslie Lluvet (90 Miles). Additional Cast includes, Elsie Hewitt ( Dave ) Tilky Jones ( Never Back Down ) Danube Hermosillo ( Shameless ) Dani J Scott ( NCIS Los Angeles ) Meredith Mickelson ( The Paradox Effect )

​Orlando plays Drew, a hopeless romantic blindsided when his girlfriend rejects his marriage proposal, calling him “too nice” and “too boring.” His best friend pulls him into the underground world of pick-up artistry, where he meets Havok (Ross), a charismatic mentor leading a secretive subculture of modern romance.

“This movie highlights the crazy things we do for love and how complicated dating has become,” Orlando says.

The film was shot in and around Los Angeles and initially it attracted interest from multiple studios,...

Acclaimed actor Christina Ricci is now among the many stars immortalized on the Hollywood Walk of Fame following a decorated film and TV career. Not only has acting given the Yellowjackets star success and fame, but she credits the industry for saving her from a tumultuous childhood.

Speaking with Variety about her Walk of Fame induction, which she called a "profoundly meaningful" moment in her decades-long career, Ricci opened up about her love for acting and what it did for her professionally and personally. Ricci admitted that becoming a film star gave her renewed purpose after a "not very nice" childhood with a family she didn't feel safe around. Having landed key roles in Mermaids, Casper and The Addams Family as a young actor, she showed she could handle the spotlight from an early age. However, she had to overcome the toxicity of home life to deliver on-screen.

RelatedRUMOR: Wednesday...

Walt Disney Studios has hired former Warner Bros. executive Andrew Cripps as head of theatrical distribution.

He replaces Tony Chambers, who was recently named president of the Walt Disney Company in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Cripps starts on March 3 and reports to Cathleen Taff, the studio’s president of production, franchise management and theatrical distribution.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining Alan Bergman, Cathleen Taff, and the entire team at the Walt Disney Studios,” said Cripps. “The work they’ve accomplished year-after-year is nothing short of inspiring, and I’m excited for the opportunity to contribute to that incredible momentum and help build for the future.”

Cripps, a widely respected industry veteran, stepped down from his post as international distribution chief at Warner Bros. in January amid a company restructuring by Warner Bros. co-chiefs Michael DeLuca and Pam Abdy. He spent over five years at Warners, spearheading...

Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Vivica A. Fox starred in a 1996 heist thriller called Set It Off, and it's currently number one on Tubi. Directed by F. Gary Gray, the film was released in November 1996 and was a box office hit, earning nearly $41.2 million at the global box office on a production budget of $9 million. It currently has a 70% critical rating and 89% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Set It Off's official plot reads:

Desperation drives four inner-city women to bank robbery in Los Angeles, then they start mistrusting each other.

The film follows a group of friends working together at a janitorial service after Frankie (Fox) loses her job as a bank teller. Joining her are Cleo (Queen Latifah), Stony (Pinkett Smith), and Tisean "T.T." (Kimberly Elise). The friends decide to rob banks and are successful at first, but soon they begin to mistrust each other while...

The creative team for The Simpsons has shown time and time again that they can predict real-world events or other fictional works, to an eerily degree. Although these started as jokes, life would imitate art and make these gags into reality. For example, Season 6, Episode 19 "Lisa's Wedding" from 1995 showed a future where people had smartwatches. Another example is when a poster of a new The Matrixfilm, titled "A Matrix Christmas", was shown in Season 15, Episode 14 "The Ziff Who Came to Dinner" back in 2004. This is a shocking prediction because the latest film, The Matrix Resurrections, was released in December 2021. Whether the writing team is from the future or has a crystal ball, The Simpsons have become well-known for how accurate their predictions are. While those were real-world examples, the franchise's first and only film, The Simpsons Movie, from 2007 might've also predicted one of the hit TV shows of 2025, Dan Fogelman’s Paradise.

For years, fans of the DC universe have eagerly anticipated the return of one of its most enigmatic characters on the big screen: Keanu Reeves’ John Constantine. After decades of false-starts, complete abandonment, and more recent rumors, a new update has suggested that the long-delayed follow-up to 1997’s Constantine is still very much alive and could still become a reality for those who have been patiently waiting for it to happen.

Director Francis Lawrence recently answered the question of what is happening with Constantine 2 during an interview with Collider, and his comments may not be categorically conclusive, but they certainly spark up debates about the possibility of this fan pipe-dream actually becoming reality. Lawrence said tantalizingly of the sequel:

"I will say we are closer than ever to being able to do a sequel, which is a great thing. And Akiva, Keanu and I are super, super excited about it.

What was Jada Pinkett Smith’s condition about working in The Matrix Reloaded? (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Jada Pinkett Smith not only gets recognized as Will Smith’s wife but also as a multi-hyphenated star. She started as an actress, moved on to the music industry, tried her hands as a talk show host, and so on and so forth. However, it was reported that Jada wanted to join The Matrix franchise in the very first film and even auditioned for Trinity’s role. On the other hand, Will Smith was offered to play Neo’s role. However, it didn’t work out and Trinity’s role went to Carrie-Ann Moss.

But the actress became a part of the franchise as she joined ‘The Matrix Reloaded’ as Niobe. Yes, that’s right. She then went on to feature in the sequels, The Matrix Revolution and The Matrix Resurrections. But, did you know before she said yes,...

Ke Huy Quan has his face plastered everywhere. The screen icon, noted for his roles in The Goonies, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and most recently, his Oscar-winning turn in Everything Everywhere All At Once appears on posters, cardboard cutouts and even throw pillows all over the suites of The Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles. The reason? Quan opens the action-comedy Love Hurts on February 7. It marks his first leading role in a feature since his Oscar win.

Love Hurts sees Quan step into the role of Marvin, a hard-working real estate agent with a hidden past. Once upon a time, he worked as an assassin for his mobster brother. When an old flame, Rose (Ariana DeBose), reappears one Valentine’s Day, Marvin must fight to defend his new lifestyle — not to mention his actual life — from a group of bumbling hitmen tasked with bringing him back to the mob.

You can’t discount the sheer amount of good will that Ke Huy Quan generated when Everything Everywhere All at Once turned him into the Official Comeback Kid of 2022. The narrative read like a true Hollywood success story, even if it was Hollywood that sidelined him in the first place: Former child star turns for-hire stunt coordinator turns scene-stealing ensemble player turns well-deserved Oscar winner. His mix of sunniness and serious screen-fighting chops — has anyone ever wielded a fanny pack with such grace and deadly force? — made him an ideal everyguy action hero.

No matter how hard you try, you can’t break up with your past.

This Valentine’s Day, Oscar® winner Ke Huy Quan rockets into his first major leading man role as an unlikely hero, a seemingly mild-mannered realtor with a dark secret that he is desperate to leave behind. Spoiler alert: He won’t.

From 87North—producers of the groundbreaking action films Nobody, Violent Night, Bullet Train, Atomic Blonde and The Fall Guy—comes a visceral, high-octane story of wrath and revenge.

Quan stars as Marvin Gable, a realtor working the Milwaukee suburbs, where ‘For Sale’ signs bloom. Gable receives a crimson envelope from Rose, a former partner-in-crime that he had left for dead. She’s not happy.

Now, Marvin is thrust back into a world of ruthless hitmen, filled with double-crosses and open houses turned into deadly warzones. With his brother Knuckles, a volatile crime lord, hunting him,...

Keanu Reeves has become known for his brutal role as dog-loving assassin John Wick in the last decade, but he will be leaving that all behind for an upcoming role that will see him bring back “comedic Keanu.” Jonah Hill-directed Outcome will not only see Reeves being reunited with Cameron Diaz for the first time since 1996 dark comedy Feeling Minnesota, but will also find him leaving behind his action hero persona for something in which he doesn’t even do “one karate punch.”

According to Roy Wood Jr., who also appears in the movie, the film is “extremely funny,” and he shared as much as he was able about Reeves’ appearance at the Sundance Film Festival. Speaking to ScreenRant, he said:

“I spoke with Jonah Hill, who's directing and starring in Outcome, and I know they were still finishing up, just a couple of tweaks on the edit. I...

Bollywood Mascot: Priyanka Chopra has once again proven her dominance in the entertainment industry by reportedly becoming the highest-paid actress for her role in SS Rajamouli’s much-anticipated film SSMB29, starring Mahesh Babu. The actress, who has successfully made her mark in both Bollywood and Hollywood, is said to have charged a record-breaking fee for the film, solidifying her position as one of the most sought-after stars in Indian cinema.

SSMB29, directed by the visionary filmmaker SS Rajamouli, is already generating massive buzz due to its grand scale and unique storytelling. The collaboration between Rajamouli and Mahesh Babu has created high expectations among fans, and with Priyanka Chopra’s name now attached to the project, the excitement has only intensified.

Reports suggest that Priyanka’s remuneration for the film has surpassed that of many leading actresses in the industry. While the exact figure remains undisclosed, sources indicate that it is...

Bollywood Mascot: Priyanka Chopra has once again proven her dominance in the entertainment industry by reportedly becoming the highest-paid actress for her role in SS Rajamouli’s much-anticipated film SSMB29, starring Mahesh Babu. The actress, who has successfully made her mark in both Bollywood and Hollywood, is said to have charged a record-breaking fee for the film, solidifying her position as one of the most sought-after stars in Indian cinema.

SSMB29, directed by the visionary filmmaker SS Rajamouli, is already generating massive buzz due to its grand scale and unique storytelling. The collaboration between Rajamouli and Mahesh Babu has created high expectations among fans, and with Priyanka Chopra’s name now attached to the project, the excitement has only intensified.

Reports suggest that Priyanka’s remuneration for the film has surpassed that of many leading actresses in the industry. While the exact figure remains undisclosed, sources indicate that it is...

No matter how hard you try, you can’t break up with your past.

This Valentine’s Day, Oscar® winner Ke Huy Quan rockets into his first major leading man role as an unlikely hero, a seemingly mild-mannered realtor with a dark secret that he is desperate to leave behind. Spoiler alert: He won’t.

From 87North—producers of the groundbreaking action films Nobody, Violent Night, Bullet Train, Atomic Blonde and The Fall Guy—comes a visceral, high-octane story of wrath and revenge.

Love Hurts opens in theaters on February 7.

The St. Louis screening is 7Pm on Wednesday, February 5th at Galleria 6 Cinema (6Pm Suggested Arrival)

Pass Link: http://gofobo.com/eMBhd00636

Please arrive early as seating is not guaranteed.

Rated R.

L to R: Ke Huy Quan is Marvin Gable and Ariana DeBose is Rose Carlisle in Love Hurts, directed by Jonathan Eusebio

Quan stars as Marvin Gable, a realtor working the Milwaukee suburbs,...

Village Roadshow CEO Steve Mosko has stepped down.

The move comes after the company had recently been sanctioned by the WGA and had faced financial challenges, which led to layoffs. The company is owned by Vine Alternative Investments.

Village Roadshow was once a close collaborator with Warner Bros., including partnering on the Ocean’s Eleven and Matrix franchises, among numerous other well-known titles, such as the Sherlock Holmes films, Mad Max: Fury Road, American Sniper, Happy Feet and more. However, the company has been involved in arbitration with the studio after filing a lawsuit over the day-and-date release of 2021’s The Matrix Resurrections.

In 2024, the company renewed its first-look deal with Content Cartel, Kevin Garnett’s production banner.

Recently, the company has been cutting costs, conducting a round of a layoffs that impacted workers in business affairs, administration, and film and television roles.

The company attracted the ire of the WGA...

The Matrix 5 has been confirmed, but very few details about the film's plot have been revealed yet. It's unclear whether a story has been written, or even if an idea exists, but the project will surely be another inventive and subversive take on the franchise in the same vein as The Matrix: Resurrections. While this is exciting news, it will also be difficult for this sequel to live up to the heights of the movies that came before it. After everything that went wrong with The Matrix: Resurrections, the next film has lots of work to do.

Whether The Matrix 5 opts to be another sequel, a new prequel, or even a spinoff, it can't veer too far away from the existing formula if it wants to appease returning fans of the franchise. This is one mistake that the fourth installment made, trying so hard to be different and fresh that...

Having been in the spotlight for several decades, Keanu Reeves has become one of the most admired actors in the industry, and two of his biggest franchises almost went head-to-head in 2021. Among his many exciting projects over the years, Reeves has become synonymous with two major action franchises which were both originally set to have sequels in the same year, and the results were completely one-sided. Long before Reeves voiced Sonic 3's Shadow the Hedgehog, the actor turned several films into big hits, but it was his work in The Matrix and John Wick that really stood out.

Both have become massive franchises - largely thanks to Reeves' performances - and have easily provided his more recognizable roles. The two series are full of personality and have fun concepts that have kept audiences returning for years to come. In addition, both Neo and John Wick are among Keanu Reeves' best-ever characters,...

“Silo” Season 3 is already building out its cast.

Variety has learned that both Jessica Henwick and Ashley Zukerman are set to appear as series regulars in the upcoming third season of the Apple TV+ post-apocalyptic drama based on Hugh Howey’s “Wool” novel trilogy.

Zukerman will play Daniel, described as a “young and hungry congressman,” while Henwick will play Helen, said to be a “whip-smart reporter.” Both actors recently appeared in the Season 2 finale and will continue in the same roles in Season 3.

The casting news comes roughly one month after Apple renewed the show for both Seasons 3 and 4, with Season 4 set to be the final season.

Henwick’s previous TV credits include “Game of Thrones,” “Iron Fist,” and “Silk,” while she has also been in films like “Glass Onion,” “The Matrix Resurrections,” and “The Royal Hotel.” She is repped by CAA, imPRint, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman.

Zukerman has starred...

From the messianic Neo to the nefarious Agent Smith, the Wachowskis created some of the most iconic characters ever to grace the silver screen for The Matrix franchise. The Matrix has become a staple of science fiction; terms like “The One” and “red pill” have entered the pop culture lexicon. It’s both a thought-provoking meditation on human existence and artificial intelligence, and a poignant religious allegory about a “chosen one” figure with impostor syndrome. As with any classic movie, part of what makes The Matrix so timeless is that its characters are so compelling and three-dimensional.

Not every character in The Matrix franchise is well-written and well-developed. Characters like the Keymaker and the Trainman exist purely to facilitate the plot. The Architect speaks exclusively in nonsensical hypotheticals and sounds like he carries around a thesaurus. But most of the characters in this ensemble are fascinating figures played by great actors,...

"It's kind of my answer to those who find my story inspiring." Universal has unveiled an exciting making-of featurette for Love Hurts, an amusing action comedy arriving in theaters in February before Valentine's Day next month. Making his feature directing debut on Love Hurts is acclaimed veteran stunt coordinator and fight coordinator JoJo Eusebio, whose past credits include a handful of the greatest action films of the past decade including Black Panther, The Avengers, the John Wick films, The Matrix Resurrections, Violent Night. "No matter how hard you try, you can't break up with your past." Oscar-winner Ke Huy Quan stars as an unlikely hero, a seemingly mild-mannered realtor with a dark secret he is desperate to leave behind. Marvin is pulled back into that life when his former partner-in-crime resurfaces with a message. With his crime-lord brother also on his trail, Marvin must confront his past and the history he never fully buried.

I am beginning to think that anything is possible in 2025. On Jan. 6, Will Smith shook the internet by posting a very cryptic post that fans are still hard at work trying to decipher. Is it another cool ad thing or is there more to this story than meets the eye?

More importantly, do fans even want a Matrix with Will Smith in it? We’re going to explore all this below.

Will Smith – Teases Fans With A ‘The Matrix’ Comeback

On Jan. 6, Will Smith rocked the ‘The Matrix’ fandom when he shared a short video that promptly announced his arrival in the Matrix.

And for all clarifications, yes, we do mean Keanu Reeves’ ‘The Matrix’ that’s been the stuff of legends since it dropped decades ago.

In the short clip, words appear on the screen in a Matrix-like orange font. It reads: “In the 1990s, the Wachowskis offered...

Last April, we learned that The Martian writer and The Cabin in the Woods director Drew Goddard had been tapped to helm a new Matrix movie for Warner Bros. Discovery.

Rumours of a reboot or spin-off have persisted for years, and while we don't know which category this one will fall into, this could mark a return to form for the franchise.

The Matrix was released in 1999 to widespread acclaim, with The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions following in 2003. They didn't receive anywhere near as warm a response as the original, and Lana returned to the property (minus Lilly) in 2021 for The Matrix Resurrections. That once again struggled to strike a chord with fans and was widely deemed a disappointment.

There's currently no word on whether original Matrix leads Keanu Reeves, Carrie Anne-Moss, Laurence Fishburne, and Hugo Weaving will be involved in any way, but a new rumour claims...

Last April, we heard the exciting news: Drew Goddard, known for The Martian and The Cabin in the Woods, was chosen to direct a new Matrix film for Warner Bros. Discovery. Fans have speculated about a reboot or spin-off for years, and this project might finally deliver.

The original Matrix movie, released in 1999, was a massive hit. Its sequels, The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, both came out in 2003 but didn’t capture the same enthusiasm. In 2021, Lana Wachowski returned (without Lilly) to direct The Matrix Resurrections, but it also struggled with fans.

We still don’t know if original stars like Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Laurence Fishburne, or Hugo Weaving will join this new venture. However, a rumor from @MyTimeToShineH (via the Sff Gazette) suggests that Ariana Grande could be one of the leads in Goddard’s Matrix. This would be a big leap for Grande, especially after her praised role in Wicked.

The Matrix is one of the most popular and widely beloved sci-fi properties of all time, but even the most dedicated of fans can admit that it has its fair share of plot holes. As the sequels continued to expand this universe from the rich, self-contained narrative of the Wachowskis’ original film, the inconsistencies more and more evident. While none of these plot holes actually ruin The Matrix, there’s no denying that they’re hard to overcome. While there were only three Matrix movies for almost 20 years, the franchise returned with Resurrections and will now continue with the upcoming Matrix 5

Although The Matrix Resurrections was panned by critics, Matrix already had a complicated history with sequels. Neither Reloaded nor Revolutions were as well-received as the original film, with both sequels having way more problems than the first installments. By expanding the franchise's lore, the Matrix sequels took some big risks,...

Playtime, a Paris-based sales, production and equity investment company, has picked up “Chopin, a Sonata in Paris,” an ambitious biopic of famed composer and pianist Frédéric Chopin hailing from Poland’s leading production banner Akson Studio.

Budgeted at $17.5 million, the movie reteams producer-director Michał Kwieciński with the rising Polish actor of “Filip,” Eryk Kulm starring as Chopin. Lambert Wilson (“The Matrix Resurrections”) stars as King Louis Philippe.

“Chopin, a Sonata in Paris” boasts a polished, baroque aesthetic bolstered by a key crew including Michał Sobociński, the cinematographer of the AppleTV+ series “The New Look” producer designer Katarzyna Sobańska, whose credits include the Oscar-nominated film “Cold War.”

Penned by Bartosz Janiszewski (“Wataha”), the 19th century-set movie charts Chopin’s journey as a bold, young pianist who left his native Poland at the age of 21 and traveled to Paris where he wielded music’s power like no other. “He is the lifeblood of the city,...

Josh Goldstine, the Warner Bros. marketing chief who spearheaded the “Barbie” promotional campaign heard ’round the world, is stepping down. The studio’s head of international distribution Andrew Cripps is also departing his role.

As part of the major shakeup, longtime Warner Bros. domestic distribution chief Jeff Goldstein has been elevated to oversee all aspects of the company’s global theatrical exhibition efforts. Goldstein’s promotion and Cripps and Goldstine’s departures are part of a structural reorganization at the studio as the movie theater business at large attempts to regain its footing after the pandemic and two labor strikes.

“In building for the future, we have made the decision to realign our business unit with a singular global operation at its center to offer greater alignment for all our team members in the years ahead,” Warner Bros. co-chiefs Michael DeLuca and Pam Abdy said in a statement.

Goldstine joined the Warner Bros.

Will Smith is set to appear in The Matrix franchise? (Photo Credit – Instagram/Facebook)

Will Smith has created waves on social media after posting a cryptic post about his potential appearance in The Matrix franchise. The actor was the first choice for the lead role of Neo in the original 1999 film; however, he passed on the opportunity to star in Wild Wild West. The role ultimately went to Keanu Reeves, who made the character memorable.

Ever since The Matrix has grown to be one of the most popular sci-fi franchises and is counted among classic films. Will Smith has now shared a video featuring a text message that teases his involvement in the film series.

Will Smith Shares Post About His Potential Role in The Matrix 5

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A post shared by Will Smith (@willsmith)

Will Smith recently took to Instagram to post a video that features...

It's been nearly a year since we first learned of plans for Drew Goddard to write and direct a new Matrix movie. Rumours of a reboot or spin-off have persisted for years (the prequel starring Michael B. Jordan as a young Morpheus never came to fruition) but we've heard very little about this effort since it was announced by Warner Bros. Discovery.

Goddard, best known for writing The Martian and directing The Cabin in the Woods (he also worked on Netflix's Daredevil and the unmade Sinister Six movie for Sony Pictures), will have a helping hand from franchise co-creator Lana Wachowski who has boarded the project as an executive producer.

Yesterday, Will Smith shared a cryptic Instagram post addressing his now-infamous decision to pass on the role of Neo in 1999's The Matrix to instead star in Wild Wild West.

The Oscar-winner shared a brief video with a Matrix-style message reading,...

A new report has poured cold water on the speculation that King Richard and Bad Boys: Ride or Die star Will Smith is involved with the next Matrix movie. The actor famously turned down the chance to play the lead character Neo in the original 1999 The Matrix film, with the role eventually going to Keanu Reeves.

Drew Goddard (The Martian) is attached to write and direct the Matrix franchise's fifth movie installment, and sources confirmed to Variety that Smith is not involved with the project. The rumor of the Academy Award-winning actor's involvement began on Monday after he posted a cryptic message on his Instagram recalling his rejection of the Neo role. Smith's post, which he writes in third person, reads, "In 1997, the Wachowskis offered Will Smith the role of Neo in 'The Matrix.' Smith turned it down. He chose Wild Wild West, believing it was a better...

Will Smith has taken to social media to obliquely suggest that he might be starring in The Matrix 5 – 25 years after turning the original film down.

Will Smith famously turned down the chance to star as Neo in the original trilogy of Matrix films which began in 1999. The Matrix was a mind-bending cyberpunk adventure that would eventually star Keanu Reeves instead, becoming an all-time classic. While the sequels may not have lived up to the promise of that first film, The Matrix endures, and Smith’s decision to appear instead in Wild Wild West goes down as one of those legendary career missteps.

Of course, Smith is no stranger to career missteps, having committed perhaps the most high-profile one of that last couple of decades. His career is still recovering from that Oscars slap, but last year’s Bad Boys: Ride Or Die seemed to prove that audiences are more than...

Gold Derby’s top news stories for Jan. 6, 2025. A Real Pain comes to Hulu

One day after winning a Golden Globe, Searchlight Pictures’ A Real Pain now has a real plan for streaming. The dramedy film from writer-director-producer-actor Jesse Eisenberg, which won the Globe for supporting player Kieran Culkin, is coming to Hulu on Thursday, Jan. 16. Hulu and Searchlight — formerly Fox Searchlight — are both owned by Disney, so Hulu has become the home of a number of Searchlight titles, also including Poor Things, Kinds of Kindness, and Nightbitch.

A Real Pain made its first splash at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where Eisenberg won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award. Since being picked up by Searchlight and released to general audiences in November, the film has been named one of the top 10 films of the year by the American Film Institute and received a long string of plaudits for Culkin. In addition to the Globe,...

Update: Insiders have said that Will Smith will not be starring in the new Matrix movie. It remains to be seen what his mysterious Instagram post was teasing, if anything, but we had a few good hours of entertaining theories.

— Original article follows —

In 1997, the Wachowkis offered Will Smith an opportunity to star in their generation-defining sci-fi epic The Matrix, but the Fresh Prince actor turned it down to make Wild Wild West. Yeah. Poor life choices aside, audiences have remained curious about what a Matrix film starring Will Smith would look like. According to a mysterious post on Smith’s Instagram account, they could get their wish. Stop the presses! Could Will Smith play Neo in The Matrix 5? Let the speculation commence!

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A post shared by Will Smith (@willsmith)

After Warner Bros. released The Matrix Resurrections in 2021, the studio confirmed The Matrix 5 is in development.

Last April, Warner Bros. Discovery announced that Drew Goddard had been tapped to write and direct a new Matrix movie. Rumours of a reboot or spin-off have persisted for years, and while we don't know which category this project will fall into, the news excited fans of the franchise.

Goddard, best known for writing The Martian and directing The Cabin in the Woods (he also worked on Daredevil and Sony Pictures unmade Sinister Six movie), will be joined by franchise co-creator Lana Wachowski as executive producer.

Today, the question on everyone's lips is whether the movie will star Will Smith...as Neo?!

The Oscar-winner famously passed on the role to instead star in Wild Wild West. As a result, Keanu Reeves was cast as the iconic character and the rest, as they say, is history. However, a reboot could change things.

On Instagram - via SFFGazette.com - Smith shared...

Will Smith may be choosing between the red and blue pill, but the Oscar-winning actor isn’t entering the Matrix for a movie.

Warner Bros. previously announced a fifth “Matrix” installment with “The Martian” screenwriter Drew Goddard attached to write and direct, but knowledgable sources confirmed to Variety that Smith (at least at this point) isn’t involved in the film franchise.

Speculation started on Monday after Smith posted a cryptic message on Instagram, recalling his decision to pass on the starring role of Neo (which eventually went to Keanu Reeves) in Lana or Lilly Wachowski’s seminal 1999 sci-fi epic “The Matrix.”

“In 1997, the Wachowskis offered Will Smith the role of Neo in ‘The Matrix.’ Smith turned it down,” his Instagram video, written in third-person, reads. “He chose ‘Wild Wild West,’ believing it was a better fit for him at the time. But the question remains: What would ‘The Matrix...