by Tor Books,

proud publisher of "Warrior of the Altaii".

How "The Matrix 4" casting news reveals

more than you think!

Heads up Coppertops!

We're plugging back into "The Matrix".

Back in August it was announced that Warner Brothers

would be producing a fourth Matrix film

with Keanu Reeves,

reprising his role of Neo along with Carrie Ann Moss

returning as Trinity; and with the films set

to be directed by franchise co-creator,

Lana Wachowski,

all we have to say to that perfect storm of talent is

Wachwowski!

(crickets chirping)

Okay, how about just whoa!

- Whoa!

- This week we have yet another piece of the puzzle

with Variety reporting that "Aquaman's"

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II having been cast as

one of the new leads of this next installment

in the franchise.

Rumors have long been swirling that the powers that be

have wanted to bring "The Matrix" back in some way.

Whether as another story within the world's

created by "The Matrix" or a prequel of some sort.

But, with the announcement of the film being titled,

"Matrix 4"

along with some of the fan favorites returning.

This definitely implies that this is a continuation

of the story that was finished in "The Matrix Revolutions".

But, what did these announcements of new leads

and returning stars mean for "The Matrix 4"?

Where the franchise can go from the divisive ending

of "The Matrix Revolutions".

Well let's break it down right now.

If it's been awhile since you've logged into "The Matrix",

the third film, "The Matrix Revolutions", ends with both

Trinity and Neo sacrificing themselves to protect

the last human city of Zion from getting wiped out

by the machines by rebooting The Matrix,

to purge it of the Smith infection.

Neo managed to break the wheel in a way that

Daenerys Targaryen couldn't.

He stopped the cycle of the human resistance

being completed wiped out and left to rebuild.

Neo's sacrifice was the only way to prevent the deaths

of almost everyone in Zion and this Neo was

the first version

of The One

who was able to achieve that.

The trilogy ends with an uneasy peace

after centuries of war between man and machine.

But, with Trinity dying and Neo seemingly,

i.e. almost definitely,

dying in the third Matrix film.

How could they possibly return for a fourth Matrix film?

Well, there are a couple of ways this could work.

Trinity did appear in "The Matrix" online massive

multiplayer online game that took place

after the trilogy's end,

implying that she some how lived.

Whether this is canon or not remains to be seen.

But, this definitely leaves the door open

for the onscreen death of Trinity

and the near certain death of Neo to retconned in some way.

Even if it means that their digital essences

remain in The Matrix,

even though their physical bodies have died.

Also, when the architect shows Neo his past iterations

in "The Matrix Reloaded",

we see that they all look like Keanu Reeves.

This basically confirms that The Matrix created

the human resistance in the first place

as a further means of control.

But it also indicates that there is some

genetic manipulation or cloning going on down on the farms

where humanity is grown if The One always looks

like Keanu Reeves Neo.

Maybe The Matrix's creators created a new batch

of Neos and Trinities and we will see new versions

of the characters in "The Matrix 4",

while still being a continuation

of the same timeline of events from

"The Matrix Revolutions".

Plus casting Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as a new lead,

implies the franchise is looking to branch out

and we could see new stories set in new parts

of the universe,

a la "The Animatrix".

Perhaps a new type of hero could emerge

to fight new threats,

kind of like the "Star Wars" sequel trilogy,

but with how hot Keanu Reeves is right now

we're not expecting to see him sidelined

at all in "The Matrix 4".

Another option for how this all could work

is this could still somehow be a prequel

or a sidequel spinoff to "The Matrix",

with this story taking place

in one of the past or future iterations of "The Matrix".

If there's one thing we know for certain

it's that the peace between humanity and the machines

will be broken in some way,

because come on,

there wouldn't be a movie otherwise.

We'll just have to see how this all shakes out

when we learn more as it goes into production next year.

But, what do you folks think?

Are you excited for "The Matrix 4"?

- Yes!

- [Amy] How will Neo and Trinity return?

Are you glad that this gives them an excuse

to make another "Animatrix"?

Let's discuss.

Thanks again to Tor Books for sponsoring today's episode.

"Warrior of the Altaii",

the never-before published novel from the epic

fantasy author of "The Wheel of Time" series,

Robert Jordan

has arrived.

Bad omens are abound and Wulfgar,

a leader of the Altaii people,

must contend with twin queens, warlords,

prophets, and magic in hopes of protecting

his people and securing their future.

All while the fearsome fanghorn grow more numerous.

Read "Warrior of the Altaii" available now

wherever books are sold.

For more info follow

"@torbooks"

that's "@t-o-r books".

(futuristic music)