The Matrix 5 confirmation means now is the perfect time for this other Matrix movie to finally happen

Now this The Matrix 5 is confirmed in the works, it's the perfect time for another spin-off animated film in the style of The Entertainer. In April 2024, Warner Bros. officially announced that The Matrix 5 was in development. The studio was impressed with a proposal for The cabin in the forest' Drew Goddard, who is attached to write and direct the new film. This will be the first Headquarters the film won't be directed by either of the Wachowski sisters, although Lana Wachowski is on board as an executive producer, so she'll help guide the vision.

It is not yet known whether Keanu Reeves will reprise his role as Neo in The Matrix 5but The Matrix the saga will continue on the big screen in some form. Whether it's a direct continuation of the main story or a spinoff following a new cast of Headquarters characters, there will be another cinematic entry in this franchise. And the return of The Matrix franchise means it's the ideal time to revisit one of the series' biggest and most underrated expansions of over 20 years.

A Matrix reboot makes it the perfect time for an Animatrix sequel

The Animatrix was an animated film derived from The Matrix.

In 2003, between consecutive releases of The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix RevolutionsThe Wachowskis further expanded the franchise's lore with the animated spin-off film The Entertainer. Released directly on VHS and DVD by Warner Home Video, The Entertainer and an anime-style feature-length anthology that compiles nine animated shorts that take place within The Matrix universe. The film focuses on filling in the backstory of The Matrix trilogy. Made for a perfect piece for live action filmsand an excellent animated gem in its own right.

While Warner Bros. expand again The Matrix franchise with a fifth film, it's the perfect time for another Animator film. Direct-to-DVD films are a thing of the past, but they have been replaced by direct-to-streaming releases. is committed to filling its Max streaming service with content - which is why the studio made the controversial decision to do daily releases with its 2021 summer releases - and a new Animator film to complement the upcoming live-action sequel would be an excellent addition to Max's streaming library.

Animatrix intended to expand the Matrix franchise with new ideas

The Animatrix didn't trust the past

The Entertainer decided to expand The Matrix franchise mythology with new ideas. Instead of just remembering what audiences liked about the films, focused on showing the public what the films did not show. One short revolves around the crew of the Osiris making a final stand against the Sentinels. A short film explains how the first connected humans became aware of the existence of the Matrix. A short film, taken from the archives of The Machines, tells the story of humanity's fall and enslavement by AI through the lens of the creation myth of the Book of Genesis.

It might have seemed cool to do a series of animated shorts about Neo's battles with the Agents or Morpheus and Trinity's adventures before they found "The One." But there's enough information in the films to fill in those gaps, so it wouldn't have added much. What The Entertainer does is ultimately much more exciting. He investigates the invisible history of The Matrix timeline and features a bunch of compelling new characters living in that universe. It would be fun to revisit this concept with a new batch of animated shorts.

Matrix 5 can learn a lot from Animatrix's short films

Matrix 5 needs to bring new ideas

The biggest mistake the last one made Headquarters film, The Matrix Resurrectionsis that he was stuck in the past. It all started with a meta plot about the legacy of the franchise itself and the challenges of making a new sequel to it. So, by plunging Thomas Anderson back into the Matrix for another action-packed adventure, it just brought back all the iconic moments from the original film. Agents showed up at his office, he ran his hand through the mirror and heroically jumped off a roof.

If The Matrix 5 is going to be successful, so it needs to abandon nostalgia for the past and focus on new ideas and stories. That's what he did The Entertainer so good; Instead of relying on nostalgia, he trusted in the strength of this science fiction universe and explored new corners of it. It's about time Warner Bros. return to the well for another animated anthology set in this curious digital world.