Two blockbuster Keanu Reeves sequel movies are on the way in 2022, John Wick 4 and The Matrix 4, but which one is the more exciting prospect? Reeves is one of those actors that seems to be eternally popular with moviegoers, having been starring in hit films since the late 1980s. In addition to being eternally youthful in appearance, Reeves has shown a knack for reinventing himself, managing to boost his Hollywood profile every few years with a new crowd-pleasing role in a new hit film or franchise.
When it comes to Reeves' most iconic character to date though, there tends to be three popular choices, depending on which type of Keanu a particular fan prefers. For those who dig comedic Keanu, there's Ted "Theodore" Logan, soon to return in Bill and Ted Face the Music. For those who prefer their Keanu more introspective and serious, there's Neo, the one destined to lead humanity against the machine overlords in the Matrix trilogy. And for those who like Keanu with a darker badass edge, there's retired assassin John Wick.
Originally, The Matrix 4 and John Wick 4 were set to go head to head on May 21, 2021, in what some were calling Keanu Reeves day. Of course, that was before the Coronavirus pandemic, and both films have now been pushed back to 2022, with Matrix 4 opening on April 1 and John Wick 4 opening on May 27. The question still remains, however: which movie is more exciting?
The Matrix 4 Is Keanu Reeves Returning To His Biggest Role
To not ignore the Architect-shaped elephant in the room, yes, 2003 sequels The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions are by no means universally beloved. Some would even call them outright failures, at least from a creative standpoint. They certainly weren't failures financially, especially The Matrix Reloaded. Sequels aside though, Neo remains Keanu Reeves' most iconic role, and The Matrix arguably the best film he's ever starred in. It can't be overstated how much of a phenomenon The Matrix was upon its 1999 release, and many still consider it one of the greatest sci-fi and action films of all time.
With Neo's apparent death at the end of The Matrix Revolutions, and the story of The Matrix 4 currently shrouded in secrecy, fans can't help but be highly intrigued as to where the character goes from here. After a nearly 20-year absence from screens, the idea of another Matrix movie happening at all is certainly exciting, as fans are eager to get another peek inside the franchise's complex world. With original co-director Lana Wachowski back at the helm, and Reeves joined again by co-star Carrie-Anne Moss, The Matrix 4 is a true wildcard. One aspect that could earn fan ire, however, is the apparent absence of Morpheus, at least as played by Laurence Fishburne. If the reasoning behind his disappearance proves interesting enough though, diehards may be willing to overlook their misgivings.
John Wick 4 Continues Keanu Reeves' Strongest Franchise
Whereas The Matrix 4 is partially exciting due to its status as a belated sequel, John Wick 4 has a lot of excitement surrounding it for the exact opposite reason. Since 2014's first John Wick film became a surprise hit, Reeves has starred in two action-packed sequels, each a bigger success than the last. Critics have showered all three with praise, and moviegoers were happy to drown Wick in their hard-earned dollars. The John Wick series is just plain fun, offering unapologetically R-rated violence and action that harkens back to the 1980s glory days of the genre. Combine that with a frenetic pace, thrilling hand-to-hand-combat, car-fu, and gun-play to rival any John Woo flick, and one has a recipe for a fan-favorite franchise.
The end of John Wick 3 set up a showdown pitting John and The Bowery King against The High Table, and possibly John's old friend Winston. That's an excellent setup, and judging by that film's structure, fans should expect John Wick 4 to pick up almost immediately afterward. The John Wick franchise boasts a consistent quality absent from most movie series, making it completely understandable how excited fans are for part 4's arrival. It's also why the recent announcement that John Wick 5 is on the way earned nearly universal praise, as nobody really wants to see John Wick's story end anytime soon. While John Wick isn't quite as iconic a figure in pop culture history as Neo, and his films aren't quite as great as the first Matrix, there's something to be said for knowing what one is getting when they walk into the theater.
Why John Wick 4 Is More Exciting Than The Matrix 4
Deciding what Keanu Reeves 2022 movie is more exciting between The Matrix 4 and John Wick 4 is a tough call to make. Both are sequels to established franchises, and both allow Reeves to reprise one of his greatest characters ever. However, in the end, John Wick 4 gets the duke, due to its aforementioned consistency. As visionary filmmakers as the Wachowski sisters can sometimes be, their track record outside of The Matrix is pretty hit and miss, and the fact that the Matrix sequels became so contested is a cause for concern. If the Wachowskis couldn't stick the landing with Matrix follow-ups a mere four years after the original hit, who's to say Lana by herself will be capable of doing any better with The Matrix 4?
On the contrary, moviegoers have been given absolutely zero reason to expect John Wick 4 to not be amazing, and a wild, crazy ride. Chad Stahelski is once again in the director's chair, after directing 2 and 3, and co-directing the first movie. Stahelski keeps knocking it out of the park with John Wick, and so does Reeves, and it's hard to imagine the duo suddenly turning out a subpar effort on their fourth try. Could The Matrix 4 end up wowing audiences and restoring the franchise to its former glory? Certainly, but it's not exactly an idea one can feel comfortable taking to the bank. Meanwhile, John Wick 4 feels like what oddsmakers would refer to as a sure bet. It might not have as high a potential ceiling as the return of Neo, but it seems likely to be a blast.
