Matrix 4 Debunked The Dumbest Resurrections Fan Theory All Along

screenrant.com:

The Matrix Resurrections may have been a disappointment in the eyes of many, but the movie at least proved one of the worst theories about the long-awaited sequel wrong. While talks about a fourth Matrix movie had been going on for nearly two decades, it wasn't until August 2019 that Matrix 4 was officially announced, with Lana Wachowski returning as the sole director. In December 2021, with a same-day HBO Max release, Resurrections debuted to mixed reviews and claimed only $156.6 million at the box office.

Contrary to rumors and speculation, The Matrix Resurrections was not a reboot nor did it discard the original characters. Instead, Matrix 4 featured the return of Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Ann Moss as Neo and Trinity and was a direct continuation of the events of the Wachowskis' 2003 film The Matrix Revolutions. That said, Resurrections is far from being a regular sequel due to the circumstances surrounding the film's production and a great deal of meta-commentary present in the story, something that led to different interpretations about what the movie was trying to say.

Related: Should Matrix Resurrections' WB Joke Inspire More Meta Studio Humor?

One of the most common theories about The Matrix Resurrections was that Lana Wachowski had only agreed to direct the sequel out of spite, to mock the studios' desire for a sequel, or to make sure no other director would do it. While Lana's return did prevent WB from utilizing another director for Matrix 4, that couldn't have been the main reason for her to return as proved not only by her remarks during the film's extras but by Ressurrections' story itself. Lana Wachowski revealed that, after 18 years of saying no to a Matrix sequel, the loss of her parents led to her writing