The Matrix Resurrections will be released in Chinese markets after passing the country’s censorship regulations. The film is the fourth in The Matrix series, coming almost two decades after The Matrix Revolutions. The original trilogy was created by Lily and Lana Wachowski, though the upcoming sequel was only written and directed by the latter, with Lily Wachowski wanting to take some time away from the film industry.
The Matrix Resurrections will be a direct sequel to the third Matrix film, rather than an official reboot of the series. Resurrections will follow Keanu Reeves’ leather-clad Neo as he rediscovers his digital prison alongside Carrie-Anne Moss’s Trinity, and with the help of a re-cast Morpheus. A short trailer for the film released earlier in the year hinted at the outline of the film’s plot, suggesting that Neo has seemingly lost all memory of the events of the previous trilogy. The film will be released in theatres on December 22, as well as on the streaming service HBO Max.
Now, THR reports that The Matrix Resurrections has cleared Chinese censorship regulations, having been given “the green light for an eventual theatrical release.” The country’s strict censorship standards have previously prevented Hollywood tentpole movies, such as the MCU’s Eternals, from hitting their cinemas. The film hasn’t yet received a release date for the Chinese market, but it is likely to release in late December or early 2022.
In 2020, thanks to the effects of the pandemic in North America, China became the world’s largest market for theatrical releases. The success of a large blockbuster like The Matrix Resurrections can often be dictated by access to China and popularity among the country’s audiences. Notably, the Transformers series of films has pulled in huge revenues for each film despite limited popularity with domestic audiences. The studios behind The Matrix Resurrections will therefore be relieved that the film has been cleared for a Chinese release, as it makes it increasingly likely that it will be a commercial success.
While the film’s future revenue now looks more certain, fans still have plenty to speculate about, as the trailer left a lot of the story intentionally ambiguous. Among other questions, it isn't yet clear exactly how the film will re-introduce Neo, who seemingly died at the climax of The Matrix Revolutions. Fans will most likely have to wait until The Matrix Resurrections is released for the project's many mysteries to become clear.
Source: THR
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