A look back at the film

Keanu Reeves as Neo in The Matrix. THR’s review said the film “is an adrenaline rush from the start and pushes the envelope in stylish and inspired action sequences.”

Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett Collection

Twenty-five years ago, MatrixThe AI-centric narrative, groundbreaking visuals, and copious amounts of skins were enough to make any viewer say, “Wow.”

Lana and Lilly Wachowski’s journey with the sci-fi saga began in 1994, when Warner Bros. CEO Lorenzo di Bonaventura was impressed by the film’s exciting script. the killers, The duo signed a three-feature deal. After receiving critical acclaim in the 1990s commitment towhich starred Jennifer Tilly and Gina Gershon as two women planning a mafia heist, the filmmakers had built enough clout to helm a more ambitious film. Matrix. Their script centered on Neo, a computer hacker who learns that humans have been enslaved in a simulation designed by artificially intelligent machines. Will Smith passed it, with Keanu Reeves taking the lead alongside Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss and Hugo Weaving.

The Wachowskis drew influence from Hong Kong martial arts films, which used wires and pulleys to propel performers, and had their stars undergo months of intense combat training before filming. Fashion designer Kim Barrett oversaw the future wardrobe.

“I wanted to find a modern version of something that could move like a head,” she said of 2019’s long leather coats.

Upon its release on March 31, 1999, Matrix It became a global phenomenon, grossing $463 million ($863 million today) and earning four Oscars. Three sequels followed, not to mention plenty of imitators.

“Keanu was phenomenal, and it was a great group of people,” says Joe Pantoliano, who played Cipher. THR. “I haven’t had that kind of experience in a lot of jobs.”

This story first appeared in the March 27 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.