There’s always renewed interest around protagonists from blockbuster franchises whenever a new entry releases. The Matrix Resurrections brings back Keanu Reeves’ Neo after almost two decades, with Neo going up against The Analyst this time to reclaim Trinity from the Matrix.
Neo has always been a popular character, although moviegoers at large want to know more about him because of the long gap since he was last active. It’s worth looking into the many aspects that went into creating the character and what he is all about, both in the story and the various pieces of trivia that surround him.
Who Created The Character?
There are plenty of great characters in The Matrix series and Neo generally ranks right at the top. While The Matrix Resurrections was directed by Lana Wachowski, Neo and the overall series are the brainchildren of Lana and Lilly Wachowski.
The Wachowskis are responsible for either writing or directing several well-known movies and TV shows, including V for Vendetta, Speed Racer, Cloud Atlas, Jupiter Ascending, and Sense8. Neo remains the most popular creation by the Wachowskis, however.
What Other Media Has The Character Appeared In?
Arguably, the most iconic character played by Keanu Reeves, Neo has appeared in several kinds of material. His most popular depiction remains in the four The Matrix films, but he has appeared in other media, such as comic books, video games, and animation.
Neo first appeared in spin-off material in the form of the animated movie The Animatrix, where he was part of one of the nine short stories. Neo can also be found in video games Enter the Matrix, The Matrix: Path of Neo, The Matrix Online, and The Matrix Awakens. Additionally, he has a guest appearance in The Matrix Comics. Unlike most tie-in media, these games and books are considered canon and contribute to the massive narrative started in The Matrix.
Is Neo Really The One?
While there’s little doubt that The Matrix is among Keanu Reeves’ best action films, the series itself shows Neo doubting if he really is The One. Although other characters also play up this disbelief, Neo actually is The One because he checks all the boxes required.
The Oracle claimed that The One’s powers extend beyond the Matrix, which Neo exhibits when he uses his telekinetic powers in the real world; he can also “see” the machines even after he’s blinded. Moreover, the name Neo is an anagram for One, and Neo carries the Matrix's source code, the Prime Program, as part of his DNA.
What Are His Powers And Abilities?
Neo has exhibited many powers in the series, both inside and outside of the Matrix. His connection to the Source has allowed him to bend reality within the Matrix, granting him abilities like superhuman strength, flight, stamina, and the ability to perceive the Matrix in code.
Neo initially had limited telekinetic powers that he occasionally used, but The Matrix Resurrections showed him use this ability in a greater way, creating telekinetic shockwaves as defensive and offensive maneuvers. In the real world, Neo could perceive the machines and blow them up using telekinesis, along with perceiving them through his connection to the Source.
What Aliases Has He Gone By?
While he goes by Neo, it’s not his actual name and is a reference to his status as The One, even if Neo himself doesn’t realize this. The Neo name was initially an alias he used as part of his activities as a mysterious hacker. Neo was born in the Matrix as Thomas A. Anderson, which is arguably not his real name either since nothing in the Matrix is supposed to be real.
The machines have a different title for him, referring to Neo as The Anomaly because he doesn’t conform to the Matrix as the other humans do. Agent Smith exclusively called Neo Mr. Anderson, but his latest form refers to him as Tom.
Hold Old Is He Supposed To Be?
The Matrix is inconsistent with how old Neo is supposed to be, with the implication that this is part of the ambiguity behind the character. According to the original movie, there are two possible dates that Neo could have been born on. Neo’s personal file showed the date of birth of March 11, 1962, which would have made him 38 in the original film.
However, his passport showed a date of birth of September 13, 1971, making him 27 at the time. In The Matrix Resurrections, Neo is sixty years older than whatever age he was in the original series, but the modifications to his body meant that he only aged twenty years more.
What Was His Job Prior To Entering The Real World?
Neo’s occupation has changed based on the role the creator of the particular iteration of the Matrix has wanted. His job before the beginning of the original trilogy was as a normal programmer in a software company known as Meta Cortex.
The Analyst wanted Neo to be haunted by the memories of his previous actions in The Matrix Resurrections, so the revived Neo became a video game developer who achieved great recognition for creating a series of titles around the first three Matrix movies.
What Fighting Styles Does He Incorporate?
Neo has usually relied on martial arts to fight against the villains in The Matrix series, only relying on his telekinesis when the fight gets too tough. As it is, his martial arts skills are extremely proficient in their own right, combining various forms of fighting styles.
According to CBR, Neo’s skill set includes Budo, Krav Maga, Wushu, Eskrima, Taekwondo, Drunken Boxing, Jeet Kune Do, Kenpō, and Jujitsu. Since the Matrix allows him unlimited access to whatever fight styles the code incorporates, it’s understandable how Neo can make use of such a wide breadth of martial arts abilities.
Which Actors Were Originally Set To Play Neo?
The series could have turned out very differently had the Wachowskis’ original actor choices for Neo agreed to be part of the franchise. Keanu Reeves has turned the character of Neo into an iconic part of cinema history, but there were other contenders tapped in for the role.
The most famous actor to turn down the offer was Will Smith, who was the first choice of the filmmakers but chose to go with Wild Wild West instead when he didn’t understand the story. Reeves’ frequent collaborator, Sandra Bullock was the other A-lister who didn’t think she was right for the part; Neo would have been female had Bullock accepted.
Who Were His Parents And How Was His Childhood?
Neo’s childhood hasn’t been a focal point in the series but there were indications toward it as part of his file in the original movie. According to Looper, his parents were Michelle McGahey and John Anderson, although that may have just been the assigned identities by the Matrix.
In his youth, Neo attended Central West Junior High and Owen Patterson High, where he received high marks in science, math, and computer studies. Neo had a good track record in school and was part of the school teams in football and hockey.