Movies
Will the Wachowskis Return to Direct ‘The Matrix’?! [Rumor]
As I previously explained, two years ago, it was reported that Warner Bros. was developing a reboot of The Matrix, the 1999 Keanu-Reeves starrer that put his Neo inside a robot-created supercomputer that he would eventually free mankind from. If I’m remembering correctly, the trilogy ended with the twist that Neo was actually a virus that would kill the computer and save humans from robot-induced slavery.
There was a lot of hidden social commentary that, at the time, felt more like conspiracy gossip than reality. Now, nearly 20 years later, it holds more relevance than ever. But instead of a reboot, reports made it sound as if the studio and the respective filmmakers plan to revisit the original franchise with a canonized sequel (or maybe prequel?).
There’s been a bit of back-and-forth as to who will direct, but production listings are including the information that the Wachowskis (specifically Lana Wachowski) will return to direct the film that could begin production in early 2020 in Chicago. Discussing Film is running with the story that’s yet-to-be-confirmed, although it was included in last week’s Production Weekly report that lists the shooting title as “Project Ice Cream”.
This is welcomed news because remakes are becoming tiring, while canonized sequels are all the rage. Why disrespect the original franchise when you can continue the story?
Plug me back into The Matrix.
THR previously reported that Zak Penn will write the screenplay and Michael B. Jordan, pictured, will star.
Hollywood is serious about landing the next Backrooms. Hot on the heels of a Siren Head feature announcement, Deadline reports that a new movie based on viral YouTube series The Mandela Catalogue is in development.
It also has some Hollywood heavy hitters behind it.
Amblin Entertainment’s Steven Spielberg, United Artists’ Scott Stuber (Frankenstein), and Amazon MGM Studios are set to produce, emerging victorious after a highly competitive 11-studio bidding war.
Launched in 2021, the YouTube series is set in the fictional Mandela County, Wisconsin which is “invaded by shape-shifting, nearly immortal creatures called Alternates. The Alternates are led by a false depiction of the Archangel Gabriel and their aim is to wipe out the human race by psychologically torturing them to the point of suicide. The Alternates are known for manipulating AV media, TVs, computers and GPS systems.”
The movie will be directed by the series’ creator, Alex Kister, based on a screenplay he adapted with Tyler Clifton.
The Mandela Catalogue has racked up an impressive 100 million views across its official episodes alone, solidifying it as one of the largest original analog horror franchises on YouTube.
Spielberg and Holly Bario are producing for Amblin Entertainment alongside Aaron B. Koontz for Paper Street Pictures and Stuber and Nick Nesbitt for United Artists. Kister and Clifton are also producing. Annie McCreery will oversee the project for United Artists. Maria Fortese will oversee for Amblin.
Get acquainted with The Mangela Catalogue below while we wait to learn more.
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