April 15th 1999 - June 29th 2001 News & Rumours

- 29th June 2001 -
Nth. Cal Movies reports that the third film now has a title "The Matrix Revolutions". Production on it and 'Reloaded' have finished up in SF and will head down to Australia for the rest of the filming. There's also a set report now up at Countingdown.


- 26th June 2001 -
Those worried "The Matrix" sequels will be watered down to appeal to a bigger market - looks like you don't have to worry about it anymore. Empire Online talked with Producer Joel Silver who says he won't be softening the film's violent content to please the studio and "there's greater freedom in an R-rated picture for doing the kind of movies we like to do. These pictures are not for children. The Matrix sequels are both R-rated and that's just the way that worked out...I'm proud that we do not make these pictures for children. These films are R-rated for a reason". Thanks to 'Catherine'


- 22nd June 2001 -
There's two set reports now available: one at The Matrix Online, the other at Aint it Cool


- 20th June 2001 -
There's more pics from the sets at Alameda over at The Matrix Online


- 18th June 2001 -
Set locations and pics for the cyber sequel are now up at Coming Attractions


- 15th June 2001 -
IGN Filmforce reports that the French Chateau looking Biltmore House in Asheville, North Carolina is the first choice to film some exterior visual effects related scenes in both sequels. Aussie writer/actor Lachie Hume ("Let's Get Skase") is headed off to the US to join the production for approximately 14 weeks. Thanks to 'Wilt' & 'Brian'


- 31st May 2001 -
IGN Filmforce has posted up a teaser trailer description for the Wachowski sequel which sounds quite cool if true. Here's a sampling, just click the link for the full article: "A man's voice reads the computer text that appears on the screen: "Reload your Love." This is followed by a few seconds of quickly cut images showing Neo and Trinity. Doing what? It's a mystery. Another line of text appears and is read: "Reload your Gun." Another few seconds of quick cutting images, this time showing Neo having a shootout with agents. In one shot he is completely surrounded by agents. A third line of computer text appears: "Reload your Mind." Multiple scenes from the film are then shown, in a montage that lasts a little under 10 seconds. There's a scene when Morpheus phones himself out of the Matrix just as an agent fires at him, only to shoot air."


- 30th May 2001 -
Coming Attractions has a report detailing the most FX-intensive action sequence in the first "Matrix" sequel: "The scene in question will be one of Matrix 2's biggest fight scenes and quite possibly its most complex from a special effects point-of-view. In it Neo (Keanu Reeves ) is fighting over one hundred Agents (all looking exactly like Hugo Weaving, a.k.a. Agent Smith) in a totally CGI, photo-realistic environment. Spread around Neo and the hundred Agents are completely CGI extras, "synthespians" reacting to the combat as it occurs. Various cuts in the action will incorporate "bullet-time" perspectives but we're told these shots are the next generation in the bullet-time concept". Check out the link to see how in the hell the FX guys plan to pull this off. Thanks to The Matrix Online


- 21st May 2001 -
Third Eye Blind bass player Arion Salazar will apparently have a bit part in the Matrix sequel during its current shoot in Oakland.


- 10th May 2001 -
Entertainment Weekly has just announced the title "The Matrix Reloaded" for the first sequel (personally I think its just OK, could've been better). It was one of four being considered, no word on the other three potentials.


- 30th April 2001 -
Matrix 2 Fan Page has assembled a report from Alameda residents about the currently filming action thriller: "Some streets in Alameda (near Oakland) San Francisco are blocked off for shooting. A huge old navy base nearby is also being used with loud explosions being heard by nearby residents from the section the crew were using - an empty plane hangar. Funnily enough they were also looking for two types of extras: hispanic twins & black males with tattoos & piercings". Meanwhile, the latest UK edition of In Style magazine reports that Italian actress Monica Bellucci is "preparing for a role in The Matrix sequel". Thanks to 'Evgeni'


- 19th April 2001 -
Its been confirmed the rumour of DarkUFO's involvement is not true


- 17th April 2001 -
Over at MP3.Com there's talk that UK artists DarkUFO will apparently have its "Extraterrestrial Biological Entity" and "Crash Landing(greenhaus edit)" tracks used in the Matrix sequel.


- 11th April 2001 -
The Herald Sun reports that Steve Bastoni has joined the cast as a villain


- 10th April 2001 -
The latest plot rumour for the sequel has hit the Net and so far matches what we've seen from the set (if true, be warned as there's SPOILERS ahead). According to Matrix Trilogy Fan Page, the story involves the Matrix fighting back against the growing underground rebellion by unleashing these computer virus agents who basically have the same powers as Neo and their 'infecting' of this world is causing it to fall apart - so much so the Agents eventually turn against them. Neo gets infected and can't access the matrix with his special powers thus must hook up with Morpheus' girlfriend in the real world to find the Robots CPU and destroy the virus' source. Meantime Trinity & Morpheus are trapped inside the Matrix fighting the creatures who, like a virus, can multiply and are very hard to kill (eg. their cut off appendages form into new viruses). Those who want to be extras this week in the production can find out details at Soundwaves. Thanks to 'Evgeni'


- 6th April 2001 -
The Herald Sun has been covering the death of Jennifer Syme, former girlfriend of Keanu Reeves who was involved just recently in a fatal car accident. Reeves himself has been grief struck enough that its now been confirmed that the Australian leg of shooting on "The Matrix" sequels will be delayed. Also, fans who want to see Tank (Marcus Chong) return can check out a website up dedicated to bringing him back 'in the mix'. Thanks to Moviehole & 'Inromari'



Images (C) 'Levendis'

- 4th April 2001 -
'Levendis' has sent in some on-set shots from Oakland. The first is of these 'gray suited' people you've been hearing about which are apparently "computer virus agents" (possibly this 'Lock' character) whilst the second is a 'mobile billboard' promoting "Burlyman" used in the car chase scenes.


- 3rd April 2001 -
More pics of the on-set cars are up at The Matrix Online


- 2nd April 2001 -
'Eric' has arguably the most interesting report so far from the Oakland set:

"I'm one of the many Oakland, CA people who's been watching the filming of Matrix 2. I wasn't going to write, but from the reports that you've posted and what I've seen on Matrix-Online, there's a lot of idiots out there who don't know what's going on and have nothing better to do with their lives than exaggerate the facts so they can get a report posted.

The filming has been taking place at several locations in Oakland, not just downtown. According to an AP I spoke with, they're already behind schedule, so who knows how long they'll be on the streets. Wednesday I was on the set all day watching them film what will probably be about 5 secs. of screen-time. It was in a dumpy area of town, so there were not too many gawkers. The two vehicles, the silver and black ones describe in other reports, careen down the street through an intersection while dodging eight cars and then crash through a chainlink fence and continue beneath an overpass. The whole time a silver guy is shooting an Uzi-like gun from the sunroof of the black SUV/pick-up. Laurence and Carrie-Ann were throughout the day there for close-ups.

I also spent some time hanging out at their Alameda site. The buildings you posted a while back are not the buildings where they're HQ'd. Since they were filming downtown while my wife and I poked around the security was exceedingly light. (There were two entrances, only one had a security guard.) We saw a large building being constructed--it was in the early stages but it reminded me of the hotel Mouse where gets killed in Matrix 1. Much of the hanger was dedicated to revamping cars. Lots of stunt cars with trunks cut off and stuff. Since I know where to go and how to get in I'll probably check out the site weekly and keep you posted if I see anything of interest.

One thing I thought was interesting that I haven't read anyone note anywhere: the Silvermen are wearing long cloaks like Neo's--except, obviously, they're silver not black.

I find their look to be very odd considering that the villains in Matrix 1 were dressed very conservatively and didn't stick out in a crowd. These guys are almost the exact opposite of the normality shown by Agent Smith's appearance. It doesn't seem that logical machines would change so drastically and say, "Screw conformity, let's just look whacked out and cool." I'm doubting that these guys are the "new agents.""


- 30th March 2001 -
AOL News reports that Harry Lennix ("Titus") has been picked to play 'Lock', the nemesis of Morpheus in the upcoming two sequels


- 29th March 2001 -
There's a good half dozen, possibly more set reports floating around out there that have come in today - some sent exclusively to a single site, others to multiple ones. I got a few sent to me directly from 'Levendis' & 'Steve' which are below. The third was sent out to AICN, CA, DH & others with some great shots which I'm sure some of you have already seen (but for those who haven't, here it is again) whilst the fourth went into Countingdown. No doubt there are others so best to browse the Net and find stuff like pics taken by the local paper over at The Matrix Online. Thanks also to 'Xevioso/Waddles' & 'Scooby':

    Report #1: "I went to city hall in Oakland to watch the filming of Matrix 2 because I saw on your website that they were filming there, and I was told to go to the "Webster Tube to Alameda" near the police station. When I arrived there they were filming a car scene with the cameras attached to a silver car with Carrie-Ann Moss in the drivers seat and Lawrence Fishbourne in the passenger and he was talking on his black cell phone. When I first arrived there were 2 men dressed in all silver with silver dreadlocks and silver trench coats. A security guard there told me they would continue filming under the overpass on 3/29 from 8:30 to 6:30pm. He also informed me that Keanu Reeves would be on the set in 3 days filming. He told me that there would be other scenes around Oakland but mainly at the Alameda Air Force Base with the fake freeway they have built. There were black Cadillac SUV's, and also what seemed to be silver futuristic looking car with a Cadillac or maybe a GM symbol on it, but I had never seen that type of car before. Some of them had been crashed and filled with bullet holes, others drove away from the set."

    Report #2: "On Tuesday 3/28 they were at 15th and Telegraph in Oakland, doing some car interior filming of a chase sequence. In the car were Carrie-Anne Moss and Laurence Fishburne. They came up a side street, turned left onto Telegraph (narrowly missing a bus), and then drove down Telegraph swerving around other cars. Most interesting was the car that Carrier-Anne was driving, instead of the retro sedan used in the first movie, they were in the new futuristic-design Cadillac that has been on their TV commercials (http://www.cadillac.com/moment.htm). Looks like the success of the first movie has opened the gates for more product placements in the sequels."

    Report #3: "Monday and Yesterday my friend and I went to visit the set of The Matrix 2 in downtown Oakland. We work just a few blocks away so it was very cool to see them block off the streets for this. We managed to get a picture of the Silver-haired battlefield earth guy the other scooper told you about, but it turned out horribly because we shot it from so far away...". For the rest of the report, Click Here

    Report #4: "Well from the 26th to the 27th Oakland was in the Matrix. First I must say that it was the very first day of shooting for the Matrix. The main action of this outdoor shooting was a car chase. On monday, 26th 2 stars were present on the set: Carrie-Ann Moss (exactly same outfit as the first opus)and Lawrence Fishburne (in a purple suit and long black coat)...". For the rest of the report, Click Here

To cap off the Matrix news for the day, Warners has issued a press release with all the usual trappings and finally completely 100% confirming the major film leg will be taking place at FOX Studios in Sydney. Nothing surprising in the news, though the rumoured start date of June 2001 has been shifted back to September (most likely to accomodate for the upcoming actors strike which will affect the major stars' abilities). To read the full press release, click here. Thanks to 'Kathryn', 'Gavin' and Filmnet


- 28th March 2001 -
Some second unit photography is going on, here's the details from 'Torben' & 'DLJ'. There's also lots of set reports available at Matrix Trilogy Fan Page & The Matrix Online:

"I am watching the Matrix 2 filming from 2 floors up, leaning outside my office window. The truck goes racing down the street, with a dreadlocked silver/grey hair guy firing what looks like a giant uzi. He is standing up in the truck, resting forward on the roof of the cab. The car he is pursuing is riddled with large bullet impact holes.

The truck races down the street underneath and slightly in front of me, and then skids to a halt in front of our office, narrowly missing slamming into a Ford Explorer. They just had the truck come down the street again, this time it collided with a BMW at the intersection and demolished its tear-away trunk.

Although primarily a stunt shot (and a very exciting one at that), Lawrence Fishbourne and Carrie-Ann Moss did arrive on the scene in the afternoon for some close-ups. The collision scene at the end of the block involved Trinity's pursuers slamming into the back third of a BMW, and destroying its "tear-away" trunk."

"They have blocked off several streets right by city hall in Oakland for the filming of Matrix 2. I noticed two guys who looked to be in costume. They both had long hair, trench coats, and painted in silver. Filming is supposed to wrap up there on Wednesday 3-28-01."


- 27th March 2001 -
The "almost entire third act" long car chase sequence apparently began shooting today in Oakland. Moss was on hand, no word on the other stars.


- 26th March 2001 -
Latest set rumour is that 'Tank' will not return due to salary/budget disagreements


- 14th March 2001 -
'Kurt' has this set report from the shooting near San Fran on the sequel:

"I live in San Francisco, Ca, so I thought I would head over to the Alameda Point Navy Base. This is where they are setting up to shoot the new Matrix. Well I can say it's one long set, as we all know they are going to shoot some highway scene. Well it's well over a mile in length. At one end is a overpass (west end) and the other has a opening into the set. Looks like alot of work was going on moving what looked to be railroad ties and some metal work. At one point a motorcycle came and entered the set from the east end, it looked like a test of sorts."


- 13th March 2001 -
Manex is apparently no longer doing some of the effects with Warners going in-house instead



Images courtesy 'Coastie Bill'

 - 8th March 2001 -
Its begun filming at the Manex Studios in Alameda, and 'Coastie Bill' has a report:

"Manex, which has taken over one of the old aircraft painting hangars, has converted part of the old airfield into a highway. They have constructed fake walls to simulate the highway walls used as sound barriers from highway sounds. I drove down to the set (about 1/2 mile from my house) and took the following pictures:

Pic 1: The entrance to the highway set and some signs which they were painting. It stretches about a mile or so.

Pic 2: It's a bit hard to see, but the highway set extends from the right to the left. About midway down, you can see the black outline of a 'overpass' built on the set

Pic 3: Manex studios. There were six mobile-home trailers onsite as well.


- 5th March 2001 -
IF Magazine spoke with Carrie-Ann Moss whose currently doing the "Memento" promo circuit and naturally was asked on the curent state of the two sequels. Moss replied she's just finished six months of extensive martial arts training for the movie and leaves in a week to go to San Francisco to shoot for three and a half months. The production then shifts to FOX Studios in Sydney where it will be filming for a little over a year - and like "Lord of the Rings" both films will be shot simultaneously, NOT sequentially. What about the upcoming actor's strike? "I don’t know and I need to find out. I keep asking but nobody knows the answer to that. I don’t know if you can continue to work or if we’ll have to break during that time". During the same press talk, Joe Pantoliano confirmed he has no involvement in either of the two films.


- 28th February 2001 -
Bad news for fans hoping to see filming at Akron, Ohio - it won't be used in the film after all as the filmmakers have decided to slightly extend their shoot to do the scenes in Oakland instead. Meantime Italian babe Monica Bellucci ("Under Suspicion", "Malena") is in talks to star in both sequels


- 27th February 2001 -
French show Exclusif just ran a segment on the sequels and the information gleaned does sound rather speculative. The show indicates some of the fights will be filmed in zero gravity using NASA's Vomit Comet, whilst some characters will transform into animals as well as other humans like the Agents could. I’d question that one, but in the meantime the town of Akron, Ohio will apparently be the site of some very brief shooting. Seems this place has a rather unique and distinct mile long 50-year-old bridge which will be used. Thanks to 'Bicolor' & '2Tone'


- 26th February 2001 -
The SF Gate reports a road is under construction near the former Alameda Naval Air Station in San Fransisco to "be used in a couple of action scenes". No word on if it will be before or after the main shoot in Australia


- 16th February 2001 -
With Spidey & Star Wars slated for May next year, Coming Attractions reports that the 'Matrix' sequel will likely be pushed back slightly to June 2002.


- 7th February 2001 -
In related gaming news, Interplay Entertainment has been awarded the videogame license to "The Matrix" according to MovieHeadlines with the first project of the rank expected to be a 3-D action/adventure for the PS2 and whose plot ties into the upcoming sequels. Meantime an article over at Empire Online talks about Reeves gruelling training schedule which is basically about 7.5 hours per day - ouch. Thanks to The Matrix Online


- 6th February 2001 -
Another injury? Seems so according to 'R&B': "Lawrence Fishburne was in NYC's Hudson Hotel bar two nights ago sporting a cast on his left hand/wrist. When asked about it he said that he'd torn some ligements in his wrist training for the Matrix sequels doing handsprings and such. He said that it would be 3-4 weeks before he's completely healed. Seems like the Matrix injury curse hasn't ended".


- 30th January 2001 -
World Pop reports that Aaliyah will play the role of 'Zee' in both the upcoming 'Matrix' sequels


- 29th January 2001 -
Francoise Yip ("Rumble in the Bronx", "Romeo Must Die") is now in discussions for the role that was originally slated to go to Jet Li then Michelle Yeoh who both turned it down


- 12th January 2001 -
Things continue looking bad for the follow-up to the Wachowski production. Reeves & Moss's ankle injuries, the possible departure of Woo-Ping Yuen, now Michelle Yeoh has confirmed she won't be involved due to a scheduling conflict with her work on the Chinese adventure flick "The Touch". Another kick in the pants came from a source for MovieHeadlines.Net who says: "A memo has been sent asking the filmmakers to consider the possibility of abandoning the back to back shooting schedule in favor of just filming Matrix 2. Numerous complications have emerged, including injury and contract negotiations, so its looking like (Warner Bros.) might only get one Matrix sequel in the can before the impending strike". Thanks to 'Nick', 'Kirby', The Matrix Online & ComingSoon.Net


- 4th January 2001 -
FilmForce reports that 18-year-old "Billy Elliot" star Stuart Wells, who plays Billy's friend Michael in the film, has done a screen test for the Matrix 2 production and is certain to do at least one more


- 3rd January 2001 -
The sci-fi sequel may have most of its shooting taking place around Sydney, but before the cast comes here they're headed over to San Fransisco first. The San Fransisco Chronicle reports that Oakland, Alameda and possibly other Bay Area locations will be used for some street scenes in the movie with Laurence Fishburne and Keanu Reeves expected to put in an appearance. There's also discussion that could "include closing a section of Interstate 880 for a high-speed chase scene". Thanks to 'Cathy' & 'Caro'


- 26th December 2000 -
Fandom just ran an interview with Michelle Yeoh and was asked about the offer she received to be in the upcoming Matrix sequels. Yeoh says: "Yes, they have been courting me to do that, but I have not said yes, because my priority right now is obviously with my production company Mythical Films". Wouldn't a role though help promote her company: " I think what we are doing now, like CROUCHING TIGER, is already helping with that...And MATRIX is indeed a large franchise, and will be a very huge movie, and I appreciate the talent of the Wachowski Brothers-I think they are very talented. But, if it doesn`t fit into the schedule of what we have going here, then it will be very hard". Thanks to The Matrix Online


- 20th December 2000 -
Variety reports that Asian actress superstar Michelle Yeoh, riding high on the success (and hopefully Oscar nomination) for her role in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", is in talks to star in the upcoming 'Matrix' sequels as the female "super-martial arts nemesis to Keanu Reeves' Neo". The report has also officially ruled out Jet Li appearing in the movie - Li wanted $13 million, the crew had only $3 million to spare (Editor's Note: "I'll take it!"). Thanks to 'Dust Bunny', 'C', 'BudakTimuralp' 'Julie', 'Tyler Durden', 'Randy Meeks' & 'The Brown Eye Girl'


- 19th December 2000 -
Three months into his training schedule, Keanu Reeves talked with Sci-Fi Wire about what we can expect in the upcoming Matrix sequels and he gave this very interesting quote - "Instead of one-on-one fights, there's multi-fights. And weapons: there's some more weapons. And the ambition of what Larry and Andy Wachowski--the directors--want to do and where they want to put the camera and the environments they want to shoot ... are insane". In related news, General Motors has apparently signed a $10 million agreement with Warner Bros. to provide 90 vehicles for "The Matrix 2". Featured vehicles will be the new Cadillac Catera and the 2002 Cadillac luxury pickup truck. Finally the latest rumour about the movie buzzing about cyberspace is that there'll be a new additon to the villainous Agents in the movie - this time there'll also be a pair of twins with fighting skills way above the Agents and almost on par with Neo himself. Thanks to The Matrix Online, 'Tyler Durden' & '???'


- 25th October 2000 -
Laurence Fishburne appeared on The Rosie O'Donnell Show on Monday and talked briefly turned toward the Matrix sequels. Fishburne admitted he has to train for abour four months (starting next week) to prepare for the shoot, whilst the third film's script is expected to be complete by next month. Thanks to 'Glitch2000' and 'Richard'


- 9th October 2000 -
The winner is...Sydney. Keanu Reeves seem sure, now Producer Joel Silver finally confirms that Sydney has been selected as the location for shooting on the next two "Matrix" flicks. Silver says "We talked about possibly shooting in the UK, like we talked about shooting in Germany or Rome. But looking at all the different places, it was strictly a financial decision. It's all based on the economics. As we did the first shoot in Sydney and there were economic benefits to doing such, we decided to shoot the others there, too". Nevertheless Australia isn't the only location they'll be shooting - Chicago and San Fransisco are also on the list with small segments of the film to be shot in the Windy City and the Bay Area starting March 6th. Thanks to 'Jon', 'Glitch2000' & Know the Matrix.


- 14th August 2000 -
Talking with MSN.Com, Keanu Reeves made a short statement about "The Matrix" sequel - he seems to be certain filming will be happening in Australia (whereas no-one else in the production seems eager to confirm). Anyway here's what Reeves said "We're just doing two movies, and we'll shoot scenes for both simultaneously. I'm going to be in Australia in November. We're going to train for four months and then film for about a year. I've read the scripts, but I'm sworn to secrecy. Almost everybody will be back, including Laurence Fishburne and Carrie-Anne Moss". Thanks also to 'Luke' & 'John'.


- 4th August 2000 -
Keanu Reeves talked with USA Today and confirmed "The Matrix II" script is finished and in his hand, claiming it is "more ambitious than the orginial and his character Neo is more developed....the stunts in 'Matrix 2' are more sophisticated and there are a lot of physical demands". The Wachowski brothers are currently exploring digital camera techniques while Reeves is scheduled to begin training in November for filming March/April 2001. Late 2002 and Summer 2003 are the tenative release dates for the two sequels. Thanks to 'Andre'.


- 20th July 2000 -
Its been a year since the Wachowski brothers announced they'd be shooting "The Matrix" sequels back-to-back, and while its been expected they'd return to Sydney to do the filming when it eventually begins - that may not be the case anymore. Producer Andrew Mason told The Sydney Morning Herald that "There's some preliminary planning going on, but without the scripts, no-one can really lock anything in. Everybody's lining up every option and holding their breath". The chances of the city being used again have been deemed 'pretty good', but "no-one involved in the equation will make any sort of commitment without a screenplay". Those eager to see the movies will have to wait quite a while - shooting is not expected to start till mid-2001 at the absolute earliest due to the extended planning required. Thanks to 'adandnat'.


- 17th April 2000 -
A war is going on out there, with the prize being tens of millions of dollars being pumped into the economy of the winner's city. Despite Joel Silver's wanting to come back and Keanu Reeves indicating he'd like to return, The Daily Telegraph reports that it looks like Sydney has not been locked in as the location for filming of the upcoming two "Matrix" films. A spokesman for 'Ausfilms', the company which helps all major international film companies setup productions wishing to use Australian facilities (incl. the first "The Matrix" film), has said a deal has yet to be signed. Conflicting the decision are bids from London and Canada whose respective film industries desperately want the productions, and are offering large incentives to try and nab it - especially the Canadians. In related news, Jet Li talked with the London Evening Standard about his latest film "Romeo Must Die" seemed to confirm his position of "being a front-runner" to be involved in the production. Thanks to 'TopGunJedi'.


- 18th February 2000 -
More has come in from 'The Shadow' who follows up on his "Matrix II" scoops last fortnight - this time though with more of a focus on the actual film content:

"Joel Silver has been rallying the troops in the past week, encouraging them to make the two new MATRIX films bigger and better, to quote, 'No matter how much it costs'. One of the effects designers has let slip that Carrie Ann Moss will only be in part of the second film, as he character is absorbed 'and displaced in a temporal reality', which Neo has to find by re-entering the matrix itself. But one of the questions left hanging over this will be, was Trinity an agent all along? Continuity wise, that's a bit strange, but it's nowhere near as weird as Zion sounds. To compound the UK shooting stories, storyboards are circulating showing a chase around Zion's 'Core Conscience', which bares more than a passing similarity to Big Ben!"


- 15th February 2000 -
What's the hottest film on the Russian black market these days? Why "The Martix II" of course. By now some readers are probably asking themselves "what the fuck?", and to them I say don't worry it isn't what you might think. Back in 1996, a techno thriller by the name of "Menno's Mind" came out starring Bill Campbell (TV's "Once and Again"), Corbin Bernsen, Michael Dorn & Bruce Campbell. Now the film has just been put out on DVD/VHS, has been bootlegged in Russia and is being sold on the streets under the title of "Matrix II". On the left is a poster falsely advertising the film as "Matrix 2" in that country, and I'm told that some people are actually really believing it. Ahh the crazy world of international video crime.


- 3rd February 2000 -
Here's more gossip from 'The Shadow', which adds to that report sent in yesterday. I contacted a FOX Studios Australia rep today who confirmed that it remains unsure about whether the complex will be used again for any filming on "The Matrix" sequels - while the talk of it shooting in London however gets solider by the day:

"Shepperton and Pinewood have been sounded out for two batches of three month shooting blocks. One runs from Dec 2000 to Feb 2001 and the second from June 2001 to August of that year. According to a representative from the production, the fight scenes will be taking up a vast percentage of the shoot, with the dynamic directing brothers planning out moves that, to quote 'Defy comprehension'. It was explained that in the period since shooting on the original film wrapped, the programmers who devised the technology for MATRIX I have refined it and taken it to new levels. What exactly this entails is anybody's guess, but the storyboards being floated around show a very Neo-esque character taking on what appears to be a female agent, and the basic idea showed that she can move faster than light(???) Neo being neo can do this as well, so the computer backgrounds have to show the scenery moving at that speed, while to the human eye, they remain at normal speed. Well, it made sense when you saw the storyboards..."


- 28th January 2000 -
Could a legal battle be stirring around "The Matrix" franchise? It seems so. Writer Grant Morrison has apparently stated before that "The Matrix" is practically a clone of his comic book series "The Invisibles" about a group of rebels fighting a force that secretly rules our reality. Now there's unconfirmed talk that Morrison is considering legal action against the Wachowski brothers, especially as shooting on the sequels comes closer. DH will follow this story as it develops (god, I sounded like Larry King for a second). Thanks to 'SWEJ'


- 20th December 1999 -
Producer Joel Silver sat down with the famous UK magazine Empire to discuss the future of "The Matrix" franchise and revealed some surprising new things. While the Wachowski brothes are busy writing the two sequels now, work is also likely to happen on an animated prequel which tells "a story that essentially gets us from our world today to the world of The Matrix". The pair are big Japanese anime fans (especially of "Akira"), while Silver says "we may involve that style in some kind of animation" and from indications the film's official website may play a big part in it. To check out the full interview, which also discusses the franchise's aim in general, click here. Thanks to 'Gav'


- 1st November 1999 -
Talking with Sci-Fi Weekly, Producer Joel Silver discussed a bit about the upcoming two "Matrix" sequels. Silver says "Other sequels I've been involved in, we've had to sit down and figure out a story. But in this movie, the story is continuing. Essentially, the boys intended to make Matrix because they wanted to find a way to make a superhero movie today where the audience would accept superheroes in a way that wouldn't feel to them like Saturday morning television, they made the first movie to set up that world. In the sequels, you're going to see that Neo has superhuman powers, and they can really do what they've always wanted to do". We'll also get to see the legendary city of Zion which was only mentioned in the first film, and all three main stars (Reeves, Fishburne and Moss) will be back. Thanks to 'Jeff' & 'Dominus'


- 26th August 1999 -
ariety has uncovered some solid details on how the next two "Matrix" films will be made. Warner Brothers wants the Wachowski Brothers to start work on the two films in Fall next year. Shot back-to-back over a 250 day period, there would be breaks in between for elements of pre & post production - also allowing the actors to work on other projects. In order to lure Reeves back its expected he'll receive a minimum of $10 million for each film - a figure likely to go much higher as he gets a cut of the profits. Its been confirmed that both these films will be sequels to the original, not one prequel and one sequel as originally thought. Thanks to 'Dandaman' who reckons the title should be "The Matrix 2.0".


- 10th July 1999 -
The Sunday Telegraph reports that two more "The Matrix" films are set to be filmed in Sydney, Australia over the next few years. They source a 'prominent insider' who says "the multi-million dollar deal has been under negotiations for months but was finalised on Friday". Warner Brothers and Village Roadshow will jointly produce the two films planned to be shot back-to-back, and possibly released within months of each other. Once again 'Fox Studios Australia' and Sydney's central business district will serve as the backdrop for action in the film, and an estimated $100 million will be pumped into the local economy. Its been long known that "The Matrix" has always been conceived as a trilogy, and its believed the directing duo of the Wachowski brothers get a cut of the gross box-office takings of any sequels made. Keanu Reeves is expected to return for both films. Thanks to 'Matt'.


- 15th April 1999 -
Seems that a sequel to "The Matrix" has already been made by the Wachowskis - however not on film. A comic book written by the brothers and illustrated by Geoff Darrow (storyboard artist on the film) will continue the story, and will apparently be available soon on the www.whatisthematrix.com website to download for free. As for their next film project, the Wachowskis have yet to decide what to direct next, one possiblity is the film adaption of the comic "V for Vendetta". Thanks to 'Entertainment Weekly' and 'martoQ'

This page has no intention to infringe on the rights of Warner Bros. who are the intellectual property holders of 'The Matrix Reloaded', & hold copyright over the movie, characters, merchandise & storyline.

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