A recently-released trailer for The Matrix Resurrections contains an extremely subtle hint towards The Game Awards 2021, potentially foreshadowing an upcoming reveal. The cyberpunk action film franchise, starring Keanu Reeves as protagonist Neo, sees a group of rebels attempt to free humanity from a simulated recreation of the world. Ahead of the December 22 release of the franchise's long-awaited fourth film, a Matrix game on PlayStation 5 will apparently allow gamers to immersive themselves in the mind-bending film series.
With an acting career spanning more than 30 years, Keanu Reeves has left his mark on both Hollywood blockbusters and AAA video games. Utilizing the star's subtle performances and attraction to stunts, Reeves' role as Neo in The Matrix led him to great stardom. The epic sci-fi saga also led to Reeves' introduction into the world of video games, as he portrayed Neo in the 2003 action game Enter the Matrix. More recently, Reeves' role as Johnny Silverhand in 2020's Cyberpunk 2077 was considered an exceptional part of an otherwise lackluster release from CD Projekt Red. Now an upcoming tie-in to The Matrix Resurrections, an Unreal Engine experience called The Matrix Awakens, will see Reeves return to the digital world of gaming with an announcement teased for The Game Awards 2021.
A new Matrix Resurrections trailer, posted to YouTube by Warner Bros. Pictures, gives a nod to The Game Awards in the background of one quick shot. The trailer shows Neo beginning to remember the events of the previous movies, apparently leading to him walking off of a roof. Hidden in a wide shot of the rooftop is a Game Awards trophy, which portrays a pixelated angel flying upwards. Game Awards producer and host Geoff Keighley has responded to the fascinating Easter egg on Twitter, leading to speculation that The Matrix Awakens will appear at The Game Awards 2021 on December 9. The true nature of the trophy's inclusion, however, may not be revealed until the film releases on December 22.
While Keanu Reeves has made the transition into the video game world with Enter the Matrix and Cyberpunk 2077, the action star seems hesitant to appear in one popular franchise. In response to ongoing demand from fans, Keanu Reeves recently stated that he would prefer if John Wick or Neo not join Mortal Kombat as a playable character. The last several installments in the legendary fighting game franchise have included guest fighters, ranging from The Terminator to Freddy Krueger to John Rambo. Many fans believe that Neo or John Wick would fit perfectly into Mortal Kombat's blood-soaked battles, but Keanu Reeves feels that his iconic roles are "doing their own thing" separate from the fighting game franchise.
The Matrix Resurrections appears to be a mind-bending return for the classic cyberpunk action franchise, and this includes fascinating Easter eggs like the Game Awards trophy. This subtle inclusion could be a simple nod towards Keanu Reeves' role in Cyberpunk 2077, or perhaps a set-up to reveal more information about The Matrix Awakens on December 9. One fan theory also suggests that The Matrix Resurrections may treat the original Matrix trilogy as a video game, so the trailer scene may instead establish this Game Awards connection.
Sources: Warner Bros. Pictures/YouTube, Geoff Keighley/Twitter