8 Matrix Characters Who Must Return In Drew Goddard’s Matrix 5

Summary

• Drew Goddard helms The Matrix 5, but to continue the story, Neo, Trinity, Agent Smith, Bugs, Kid, & the Oracle must return.
• Neo and Trinity have unresolved stories to explore in Matrix 5.
• Morpheus was crucial for guiding Neo and others to freedom – so he should return for this role in The Matrix 5.

While little has been revealed about the upcoming The Matrix 5, helmed by Drew Goddard, development is underway for the unexpected sequel, but to properly continue the story, some characters will need to return. The Matrix was first released in 1999, and the film immediately became a cultural phenomenon thanks to the exceptional vision and direction of the Wachowskis. Following the first film’s success, a number of sequels built on the world established in the first film, but it’s fair to say that none made quite the same impact as the original.

In 2021, The Matrix Resurrections continued the story that had initially been laid to rest after the trilogy ended in 2003 to mixed reviews. Now, Drew Goddard who has written several popular films such as The Martian, Netflix’s Daredevil, and Cloverfield, is set to helm a new entry in the franchise to build on the legacy (via Variety). The film may try to move the world of the Matrix onto new horizons, but in order to properly continue the series, there are loose ends that need to be reconciled and characters that should return before the story can look elsewhere.

8 Thomas Anderson, AKA Neo (Keanu Reeves)

Thomas Anderson is the central character in The Matrix series of films. Not only is his character a pivotal part of the story, but up to this point, the entire story tends to revolve around him, and his position as the chosen one who freed humans from enslavement by the machines. Neo, as he comes to be known, is a man who possesses incredible powers and abilities within the world of the Matrix, and can literally change reality and laws of nature according to his will.

In The Matrix Revolutions, Neo gave his life to free the humans and stop the evil machines from destroying the people who had freed themselves of the machine’s control. However, things had changed a lot in the 60-year gap between Revolutions and Resurrections, which resulted in Mr. Anderson needing to be pulled from the Matrix to fight the good fight once again. After he and Trinity realize their joined powers and commit to rebuilding the Matrix how they see fit, the next movie needs to address these events.

7 Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss)

The other half of Neo, Trinity was one of the freedom fighters who helped to pull Thomas Anderson from the Matrix in the 1999 movie. In the original trilogy, Trinity was revealed to be the predestined love of the chosen one, who would give her heart to the person who could save humanity. Trinity died in Revolutions, having been fatally wounded while flying Neo into the Machine City.

However, Trinity was also resurrected along with Neo for the rebooted version of the Matrix in Resurrections. While Neo retained some of his memories from before, and his previous name, Trinity was given a whole new life, with a husband and children. She also went by the name Tiffany, before Neo helped her to regain her memories and join him once again. Resurrections ended with Trinity gaining power equal to Neo, as she was a part of him, and the pair were brought back together. The Matrix 5 will need to show what comes next for the fated lovers.

6 Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving)

The antithesis of Neo, but also another person who shared some of his destiny and prophecy, Agent Smith was a rogue program who initially served the Matrix and kept order on behalf of the machines. Smith displayed incredibly high intelligence and even personality when he encountered Neo. Smith clearly despises humans, on a level that extends beyond being a program, and through his ambition and determination, he found ways to corrupt his program and override parts of the Matrix.

He was also restored alongside Neo and Trinity, considering his close links to Neo. While the actor was changed in Resurrections from Hugo Weaving to Jonathan Groff, Weaving was simply unable to reprise the role due to scheduling conflicts, and he may be more available for the next entry. If so, it’s important to explore what happens next for Smith, as he turned on the Analyst and briefly worked with Neo in Resurrections. That alliance was never going to last, and exploring what happens next would be incredibly interesting.

5 Bugs (Jessica Henwick)

Bugs was first introduced in The Matrix Resurrections, where she was a true believer in the legend of Neo, and she was a major part of bringing Neo back out of the Matrix. Bugs appears to be a very important figure, as her tattoo and nickname link her to Neo’s original life in the first Matrix movie and how he came to see that reality was simply a program he had been living inside. Bugs was a respected member of the community in Io, and following her work with Neo, it is likely she gained even more attention.

Exploring what came next for Bugs and her role in the future, rebuilding a new Matrix with Neo and Trinity, or helping to lead the people of Io is important for providing her character with a meaningful ending. Resurrections ended on a fairly open and ambiguous note, with many of the characters not having their story adequately resolved. Chief among them is Bugs, who will surely be pivotal in the story going forward.

4 Kid (Clayton Watson)

Kid was one of the most interesting and unique characters to appear in the original trilogy as a citizen of Zion in both Reloaded and Revolutions. Kid is one of the few known people to be able to escape the Matrix through self-substantiation, or without the need for the redpill. His will and his ability to make sense of the world around him was remarkable, and he had a devout faith in Neo as the savior of Zion.

With his remarkable abilities, and his sheer intellect, it appeared as though Kid was being set up for some greater purpose after the original trilogy, but little is revealed about his fate. Considering the 60 year timelapse, he is certain to be much older, but he was young when Neo sacrificed himself, and if Niobe could survive, it’s possible he did too. Exploring more about his story and if he had some greater purpose after Neo’s sacrifice is a must for The Matrix 5.

3 The Oracle

The Oracle was a pivotal part of the original Matrix, who shared the rumors of the great prophecy, and helped to guide humanity in their hope. However, she was also a program in the Matrix, placed there intentionally to serve the purposes of the Architect. She was unique, in that she sided with the humans, and actively brought on the means that would hopefully put an end to the matrix program.

In Resurrections, it is revealed that when the latest version of the Matrix was created, there was a widespread purge of the system. In that purge, the Oracle was one of the programs that was deleted. However, programs don’t always disappear completely even when they are deleted. It’s possible that she could be restored, or even remade by Neo and Trinity in an updated version of the Matrix.

2 Sati (Priyanka Chopra)

Sati first appears as a young girl in The Matrix Revolutions. However, despite her appearance, Sati is in fact a program created by two other programs with no function, except to be. Neo prevents the young program from being deleted and leaves her in the care of the Oracle. While there, the Oracle reveals that she will have a greater purpose someday.

In Resurrections, a now fully grown Sati appears to Neo and reveals her role in looking after him while he lives in the new version of the Matrix. Sati also provides Neo and Niobe with clear instructions and guidance on how to rescue Trinity from the pods where the machines have her stored. Sati had a fairly short-lived role in Resurrections, but it appears that she has grown to be somewhat like her adopted guardian, providing guidance and hope to those in need.

1 Morpheus (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II)

Morpheus is one of the most important characters in The Matrix series and one of the only ones to drastically change in appearance throughout the series. The reason being that the human and mortal Morpheus actually died in the 60-year interim between Neo’s death and his resurrection. The Morpheus that Neo meets in Resurrections is actually a program that spliced together parts of Agent Smith, and his mentor and friend Morpheus from Neo’s own dream-like memories.

Morpheus helps Neo to see the truth about the Matrix both in the original trilogy and the later sequel, and as a program, he plays a pivotal part in helping Neo to learn about Io and the new world that was born from his sacrifice. The Morpheus program has the potential to be a significant part of future films, especially with the precedent set that he could change forms and exist as a wise, guiding program to freedom fighters. Ultimately, making The Matrix 5 without Morpheus would feel wrong.