Keanu Reeves Just Nailed The Real Problem With The Matrix 4 Hype

The Matrix Resurrections faces colossal hype – but Keanu Reeves knows exactly the kind of obstacle 2021’s long-awaited sequel must overcome. When The Matrix first landed in March 1999, buzz was certainly gathering around the Wachowskis’ sci-fi martial arts VFX extravaganza. However, the glowing reviews and excitable word-of-mouth that followed is how The Matrix became a cinematic classic, revered as a landmark achievement over 20 years later. The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions were deprived of that luxury. With expectations sky-high after the first film’s success, the Wachowskis’ sequels were burdened with hype that the original effort avoided by virtue of being an entirely fresh experience.

If hype was a problem in 2003, it’s nothing compared to the hubbub surrounding 2021’s The Matrix Resurrections. Directed by Lana Wachowski and starring familiar faces Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss, The Matrix Resurrections picks up 20 years after the original trilogy. Naturally, cast members have been peppered with questions on the topic of audience expectation ahead of The Matrix Resurrections‘ release. Keanu Reeves offered a typically empathetic response, recalling his own disappointment over Return of the Jedi, and how George Lucas’ closing (at the time) Star Wars chapter failed to fulfill his hopes.

Reeves’ comparison between The Matrix Resurrections and Return of the Jedi actually highlights the real problem Neo’s modern-day reprisal must overcome. Speaking with The Guardian, Keanu remembered his Return of the Jedi experience as, “I went in like, ‘Wow, I wonder, are they gonna do this, and will they do that…?’ And then I was like, ‘Oh no. Oh no.’” This answer perfectly encapsulates the uphill battle The Matrix Resurrections (and other sequels of its ilk) must deal with. The young Keanu Reeves of 1983 wasn’t concerned about whether Return of the Jedi would live up to its predecessors in terms of quality, excitement and spectacle – but whether the trilogy-closer would match the story beats and resolutions he already imagined and anticipated George Lucas might follow. When Return of the Jedi didn’t align with Reeves’ preconceived scenario, our youthful cinema-goer was left sadder than a mourning Ewok.

And this is The Matrix Resurrections‘ problem in a nutshell. It’s already plain to see Lana Wachowski’s return is visually slick and ripped with action, and early indications suggest the strong focus on Neo and Trinity’s romance will be satisfyingly introspective. But is being a “good sequel” enough to meet fan hype in 2021? The Matrix Resurrections must contend with 18 years of theorizing, speculating and imagining, and with advancements in social technology, those ideas have taken root far deeper than during Return of the Jedi‘s era. Matrix fans have spent almost two decades asking “what comes next?” – The Matrix Resurrections‘ toughest task is providing an answer that meets or exceeds those expectations, avoiding the kind of disgruntled impression Return of the Jedi left upon a young Keanu Reeves.

Hollywood’s hype issue has undoubtedly intensified in recent years. As studios becomes more reliant upon popular, never-ending franchises, there’s more opportunity for fans to anticipate themselves into inevitable disappointment. The WandaVision finale is a perfect example of a conclusion that received backlash purely for not taking the direction many on social media predicted in advance, regardless of the episode’s quality, and The Matrix Resurrections could land itself in a similar pitfall.

It’s a strange phenomenon that despite many sharing Keanu Reeves’ deflation over Return of the Jedi, the 1983 movie is now regarded a worthy entry in Star Wars‘ legendary original trilogy. Similarly, the Star Wars prequel trilogy was lambasted upon release, only to find renewed appreciation years later. It’s as if long-awaited sequels can only be truly appreciated on their own merits once those old audience expectations have faded to time. As the saying goes, comparison is the thief of joy. Filmmakers now face a dilemma over which direction to choose. Should The Matrix Resurrections take the blue pill and make the movie they think fans want and expect, or pick the red and follow a creative path that blocks out all expectation and hype – even if that means relying on future retrospective reviews for an unbiased appraisal?

About The Author

Craig Elvy
(3660 Articles Published)

Craig first began contributing to Screen Rant in 2016, several years after graduating college, and has been ranting ever since, mostly to himself in a darkened room. Having previously written for various sports and music outlets, Craig’s interest soon turned to TV and film, where a steady upbringing of science fiction and comic books finally came into its own.
Craig has previously been published on sites such as Den of Geek, and after many coffee-drenched hours hunched over a laptop, part-time evening work eventually turned into a full-time career covering everything from the zombie apocalypse to the Starship Enterprise via the TARDIS.

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Since joining the Screen Rant fold, Craig has been involved in breaking news stories and mildly controversial ranking lists, but now works predominantly as a features writer.
Jim Carrey is Craig’s top acting pick and favorite topics include superheroes, anime and the unrecognized genius of the High School Musical trilogy.

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