The Matrix: Resurrections featurette takes a look back at the original trilogy

Warner Bros. has uploaded a new promo video for its upcoming Matrix sequel that takes fans of the original trilogy down a nostalgic rabbit hole. The Matrix Resurrections featurette gathers several key players from the new film, including Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Erendira Ibarra, Jessica Neil Patrick Harris, Max Riemelt, Daniel Bernhardt, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Jonathan Groff. While clips from the original trilogy recap the action of Neo’s first adventures, the stars speak passionately about their fondness and admiration for the series.

As The Matrix Resurrections featurette plays on, we hear each of the stars recall how the franchise changed the world forever. Like how iconic lines from the film became a part of the worldwide lexicon, or how bullet time changed the way people thought about physics on the big screen. The Matrix even changed the world of fashion for a time. Seriously, it was like the first movie permitted every teenager to wear a long black coat and Ray-Ban sunglasses. It was a fashion horror show, but it was our horror show, and we embraced it like there was no tomorrow. Oh, and don’t even get me started about all the lavish Halloween costumes. Do you think there are a lot of Harley Quinns at comic book conventions? You should have seen the army of attendees dressed like Neo and Trinity.

While the new trailer doesn’t show any fresh footage for the new film, The Matrix Resurrections featurette does give audiences a sense of how important the franchise is to cinema overall and how the upcoming sequel is one of several reasons to be excited about returning to theaters.

The Matrix Resurrections is produced, co-written (with David Mitchell & Aleksander Hemon), and directed by Lana Wachowski. The film marks the fourth installment of The Matrix franchise and will see the return of Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jada Pinkett Smith Daniel Bernhardt, and Lambert Willson. Newcomers to the franchise include Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jessica Henwick, Jonathan Groff, Neil Patrick Harris, Priyanka Chopra Jonas Telma Hopkins, Eréndira Ibarra, Toby Onwumere, Max Riemelt, Brian J. Smith, and Christina Ricci.

The Matrix: Resurrections hits theaters and HBO Max on December 22, 2021.