"The Matrix Resurrections" was always a passion project. The subversive and meta sequel to "The Matrix Revoluti
ons" revived the stale action series in a way that felt new while also continuing from where the earlier movies left off. In order to make the movie a love letter to the series, director Lana Wachowski gathered Matrix veterans from all walks of life, from VFX supervisors to ADs. Director Chad Stahelski is one such alumni. Long before taking the reins of movies like the "John Wick" series, Stahelski worked as Keanu Reeves' stunt double in "The Matrix" and then as the movies' stunt coordinator.
The former stuntman turned filmmaker described how Lana Wachowski sought him and other actors for roles in "The Matrix Resurrections" during Collider's Directors on Directing Panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2022. An homage to the franchise she and her sister Lilly founded 23 years prior is the motivation behind this reunion.
When asked about his role in the film, Chad Stahelski elaborated on how he got involved in "The Matrix Resurrections." She wanted to make "Matrix" 4 like a love letter and a big thing for all the crew of all the original matrixes because "I owe the Wachowskis most of my career," he recalled. "[Wachowski] intended to record us all. I answered, "Whatever you need, definitely." because I owe my career to this movie (The Matrix). It will be fantastic.
Stahelski had his hands full because his part in the movie was just one small part of a greater love letter to an action franchise that helped shape action movies from the 1990s and on.
When Stahelski was sharing his story, Tim Miller joked that in the industry, a stuntman like Stahelski acting in a movie is known as "stacting." Eventually, the former stuntman-turned-director got himself together, as evidenced by his appearance in "The Matrix Resurrections." The part is a humorous fact that adds to the general themes of nostalgia and melancholy yearning for bygone eras introduced to the franchise by "The Matrix Resurrections." He replaces the position of Neo, which Stahelski filled in for in the first "Matrix" movie. This makes his appearance in the movie even more meta, as he plays Carrie-Anne Moss' spouse in a computer simulation.
By artistically utilizing this nostalgia both in front of and behind the camera, Lana Wachowski was able to elevate the "Resurrections" story to subversive new levels. It only makes sense that 20 years after "The Matrix" first came out, filmmaker Darren Stahelski would revisit the series since he felt he owed the Wachowskis and "The Matrix" for helping launch his career.
Science fiction readers have had an embarrassment of riches during the previous two decades. Some of the best installments from enduring science fiction series like "Star Wars" and "Planet of the Apes" have just been released. With their sleek, thought-provoking movies, directors like Christopher Nolan, Denis Villeneuve, and Alex Garland have advanced the genre and demonstrated that audiences also want creative science fiction storylines. With other genres such as fantasy, action, horror, satire, comedy, and even romance, sci-fi today frequently crosses over. Previously a specialized genre, it is now widely popular.
Science fiction readers have had an embarrassment of riches during the previous two decades. Some of the best installments from enduring science fiction series like "Star Wars" and "Planet of the Apes" have just been released. With their sleek, thought-provoking movies, directors like Christopher Nolan, Denis Villeneuve, and Alex Garland have advanced the genre and demonstrated that audiences also want creative science fiction storylines. With other genres such as fantasy, action, horror, satire, comedy, and even romance, sci-fi today frequently crosses over. Previously a specialized genre, it is now widely popular.
The Matrix Resurrections has been given a 15 age rating in the UK for strong violence
