Keanu Reeves jokes about streaming The Matrix Resurrections on HBO Max. The Canadian actor originated the role of Thomas Anderson in 1999's The Matrix, a computer programmer by day and hacker by night, known as Neo, who learns that humanity is unknowingly living in a simulated reality while machines use their bodies as an energy source. With the help of Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) and Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), Neo harnesses his immense power inside the Matrix and learns of his fate as The One, an individual destined to free humankind. Reeves reprised the role for two sequels in 2003, The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions.
Now, Reeves reprises his career-defining role as Neo once again in The Matrix Resurrections, a revival of the series directed solely by Lana Wachowski for the first time. Moss is also back as Trinity, along with Jada Pinkett Smith, who returns to reprise her role from the previous two films. Resurrections will also feature several new actors as versions of characters introduced in previous films, including Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Morpheus, Jonathan Groff as Agent Smith, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas as Sati. New characters include Jessica Henwick as Bugs and Neil Patrick Harris as The Analyst.
In a recent profile by The Guardian, Reeves joked about streaming the upcoming Matrix 4 on HBO Max, which releases simultaneously in theaters and on the streaming service on December 22. After the interviewer admitted he will probably watch the The Matrix Resurrections at home on a laptop, Reeves jokingly chastised him, "Dude? Don’t stream that movie… Don’t you f**ing stream that movie. What are you, crazy? You’re going to stream the new Matrix on a laptop?" Reeves eventually let up and smiled, saying “I mean, sure, stream it if you have to.”
Reeves joking with the reporter does not only highlight his eccentricity as an actor, especially his ability to instantly go from silliness to seriousness, but it reveals his thoughts on Warner Bros.' controversial release strategy. Plenty of other WB talent publicly lambasted the decision to release their entire 2021 slate day-and-date in theaters and on HBO Max, which caused a falling out between the studio and Tenet director, Christopher Nolan. Denis Villeneuve was also not happy about Dune's immediate streaming availability, though he later changed his tune and supported the decision.
Despite him playfully berating a reporter for streaming it on a laptop, Reeves doesn't seem to mind if audiences watch his new movie at home. The Matrix Resurrections will be the studio's last film to receive a day-and-date release on HBO Max as WB remains committed to theatrical exclusives for 2022. With the COVID-19 Omicron variant surging, The Matrix Resurrections' streaming availability comes at an opportune time for audiences who prefer to avoid crowded theaters.
Source: The Guardian
