The Matrix 5 Hits A Script Roadblock Without The "Blessing" From Franchise Creators

Published Sep 7, 2026, 7:29 AM EDT Abigail is an editor for ScreenRant, currently writing and editing movie news. You may also have seen her thoughts on animated television, musical theater, and fantasy literature in Paste Magazine, Fantasy Hive, or The Oxford Blue. She has also written SR lists and op-eds covering movies, TV, and books as well. She is an English major through and through, having graduated with a B.A. from UC Santa Barbara and an MPhil from Oxford University. Sign in to your ScreenRant account There is a holdup on The Matrix 5 ever seeing the light of day. Created by Lana and Lilly Wachowski, The Matrix redefined cyberpunk and dystopian cinema when it first hit theaters in 1999, followed by two sequels, completing the original trilogy, in 2003. Decades later, Lana but not Lilly returned to helm the legacy sequel The Matrix Resurrections. While another sequel was announced, these visionary filmmakers still have some sway over the franchise's future. In a new interview on KRCW's The Business, Lilly Wachowski revealed that while a notable director is attached to the next Matrix installment, he doesn't want to move forward without the siblings' blessing. "Warner Bros.—they want to make another [movie]. They're always going to want to make another thing," Wachowski said. "Personally, I don't want to play in that sandbox anymore. I'm kind of done." The filmmaker continued: "But there's this maybe-a-thing that's happening with Drew Goddard, and he doesn't want to go forward unless he gets our blessing. And so it becomes this complicated situation—that maybe we're going to stick our noses in a tiny bit and see how we feel." Goddard is the Oscar-nominated writer of The Martian, as well as the writer of this year's hit Project Hail Mary. He is also the director of The Cabin in the Woods. "And if we want to pass on our blessing to Drew or not. So could be something that's coming down the road, but it's still unknown," Wachowski concluded. Earlier this year, ScreenRant discussed The Matrix 5 with Goddard, upon which occasion the would-be writer-director gave only a positive update: "I'm in my writing cave writing. I don't know how long I'll be in that writing cave, but whenever I come out, I'll have news to share." The Matrix Resurrections came out in 2021 and was a box office flop, largely owing to the shaky footing of its release (a theatrical-streaming hybrid in the immediate wake of the pandemic). With The Matrix Resurrections' ending providing some story threads to pick up, The Matrix 5 was then announced in 2024. Star Keanu Reeves is still not confirmed to be returning. Resurrections also stars original trilogy cast members Carrie-Anne Moss and Jada Pinkett Smith, as well as newcomers Yahya Abdul-Mateen II​​​​​​​, Jonathan Groff, Jessica Henwick, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Neil Patrick Harris​​​​​​​. Reviews were mixed, with the movie currently holding a 63% approval rating from both critics and audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. It seems likely that if Goddard leaves the project because one or both of the Wachowski sisters aren't enthusiastic about his ideas, Warner Bros. would ultimately replace him with another director. While Lana Wachowski is expected to executive produce The Matrix 5, it may not be enough to salvage the iconic franchise that many feel has gone on for too long. Director Drew Goddard Producers Lana Wachowski Franchise(s) The Matrix