One of the most confusing moments in the entireThe Matrixfranchise could be exactly whatThe Matrix 5needs to explain why Keanu Reeves may not return as Neo.The Matrix 5has been confirmed, but its exact story details remain something of a mystery. The franchise could follow up theending ofThe Matrix Resurrectionswith a prequel, sequel, or a complete reboot. No matter what path it chooses, however, the fifth installment in the franchise will have a hard time staying true to the established lore ofThe Matrix.
ThoughThe Matrix 5is happening, Keanu Reeves' involvement hasn’t yet been confirmed.Reeves gave one condition to return forThe Matrix 5, but there’s still no official confirmation that he’ll reprise the role of Neo, especially considering Drew Goddard is directing instead of the Wachowski sisters. If Reeves doesn’t return forThe Matrix 5, however, there’s a risk of contradictingThe Matrix’s established canon, given how important Neo is as the One. Luckily, there’s already a workaround that would preserve the franchise’s canon and explain why someone other than Keanu Reeves could lead the new movie.
The Matrix Reloaded’s Architect Scene Revealed Neo Wasn’t The First One
Keanu Reeves' Neo Lived During The Sixth Version Of The Matrix
During theArchitect scene inTheMatrix Reloaded, when Neo was conversing with the creator of the Matrix, the Architect (Helmut Bakaitis) revealed that his version of the Matrix wasn’t the first.As he explained, Neo was alive during the sixth iteration of the Matrix, and there were five versions before him, all with their own version of the One. The Architect explained that the One was an anomaly in the Matrix’s programming caused by human choice, and that the machines had been manipulating them for hundreds of years.
As he explained, Neo was alive during the sixth iteration of the Matrix, and there were five versions before him, all with their own version of the One.
Neo even saw previous versions of the One while he was talking to the Architect. The room their conversation took place in was lined with TV screens that showed different versions of Neo responding to the Architect’s words differently, some with rage, others with confusion, and so on.While it’s possible that the screens were just showing simulations of how Neo might react, it’s also possible that the screens were showing how previous Ones reacted to meeting the Architect and using Neo’s face to visually represent them. The mere existence of previous versions of the One means thatThe Matrix 5has a golden opportunity.
The Matrix 5 Could Take Place In Any Of The Other Previous Matrix Iterations
The Architect scene inThe Matrix Reloadedis infamously hard to understand, both because of the Architect’s vocabulary and because it’s rather a rather convoluted explanation for Neo being the One.Confusing as the Architect scene is, however, it presents the perfect opportunity forThe Matrix 5to introduce a new One who isn’t Keanu Reeves' Neo.The Matrix 5could simply be about one of the five earlier versions of the One who came before Neo took on the mantle. That would letThe Matrix 5create a new story with a new protagonist without undermining Neo’s importance.
Should The Matrix 5 Actually Happen?
With The Matrix: Resurrections getting mixed reviews upon release, does The Matrix 5 really need to happen?
There is, of course, a chance thatThe Matrix 5will simply abandon the established lore ofThe Matrixaltogether in favor of starting a new story. That would have the added benefit of not limiting the newest movie and allowing it to make or break its own canon. Plus, starting a new story would giveThe Matrix 5higher stakes than a prequel could: none of the Ones who came before Neo were successful. No matter howThe Matrix 5handles its story, there’s a good chance it will have to find a way to explain Keanu Reeves' absence.
The Matrix 5
The Matrix 5: The latest installment in The Matrix series continues the saga of Neo and his allies as they navigate a complex dystopian world. Tasked with a monumental mission, they confront new challenges that question the fabric of reality and humanity’s place within it.
