Currently scheduled to hit cinemas this coming Christmas (in a rare twist on what we’ve sadly become used to, the movie recently moved forward from its April 2022 slot), the anxiously-awaited fourth installment of The Matrix has quietly added another interesting name to its cast. Though never previously mentioned or even spotted in a set leak, Warner Bros’ updated press kit for The Matrix 4 has listed Christina Ricci as one of its actors. Ricci has many fondly remembered movies amongst her credits, with her most iconic role that of Wednesday Addams in Barry Sonnenfeld’s two Addams Family features in 1991 and 1993 respectively. Though not as ubiquitous as she was in the ‘90s, Ricci has barely stopped since first breaking on to the scene with Mermaids in 1990, with recent projects of note including her portrayal of the iconic Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald in the 10-part series Z: The Beginning of Everything, and famed ax aficionado Lizzie Borden in the mini-series The Lizzie Borden Chronicles.
Of course, die-hard fans of the Wachowskis and Ricci herself will recall they’ve collaborated before on the woefully misunderstood Speed Racer in 2008. The live-action remake of the popular Japanese property’s anime series from 1967 attempted to faithfully recreate the cartoon aesthetic for live-action, leaving most audiences confused by its unapologetically goofy tone. Perhaps this latest bit of casting will result in Speed Racer being reassessed by masses! (But probably not.)
It seems that secrecy is of the utmost priority on The Matrix 4, and with so many exciting mysteries surrounding the return of such classic characters as Neo and Trinity, and indeed new ones such as Ricci herself, we hope Warner Bros commits to its clandestineness in its forthcoming marketing blitz. If there’s one way the studio can try to recreate the magical audience experience of 1999, it’s by telling them as little as possible.
What we do know is that that alongside Ricci, the cast will consist of Keanu Reeves (naturally), Carrie-Anne Moss, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Jonathan Groff, Neil Patrick Harris, Jessica Henwick, Telma Hopkins, Eréndira Ibarra, Toby Onwumere, Max Riemelt, Brian J. Smith, and Jada Pinkett Smith.
The film is currently untitled, but rumours have suggested it might follow the bewildering new Hollywood trend of re-using the franchise’s original title (see Halloween, Scream, The Suicide Squad, The Batman, The Predator, et al), therefore simply going by Matrix, or be called The Matrix Resurrections. We hope it’s the latter but certainly won’t rule out the former.
If all goes according to plan in our new post-pandemic world, we’ll all be taking our red pills on December 22nd.
